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Devayani and Sarmishta
67 "Sarmishta, have you heard your father's words?" asked Devayani.
"Sister,” cried Sarmishta, "forgive me."
"Yes,” said Devayani sternly, “but on one condition-you shall serve me as an attendant when I set up my own home after marriage.”
"That is a very mild punishment, and you have been generous to me, sister Devayani. I shall serve you as a maid most cheerfully.” Sarmishta fell at Devayani's feet.
"Let us go home, father,” said Devayani smiling at Sukracharya.
Meanwhile, Devayani had complained to her father that Yayati had clasped her right hand and refused to marry her. Sukracharya assured her that the great emperor of Bharat was destined to become her husband.
One day, after some years, Yayati and Devayani met again by accident. She reminded him that he had been shirking a great moral duty, and that this lapse on his part had tarred his reputation. Presently, Sukracharya also arrived and spoke to Yayati thus: "O mighty emperor! My daughter has told me on what grounds you have been refusing to marry her. These are no reasons at all-only pretexts--since the proposed marriage has not only my approval but my blessings too. So it is time you vindicated your own honour as well as that of my innocent daughter."
"Be it so, noble sage! What more do I desire if I have your benedictions?”
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