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Tales from Indian Mythology
"That was my determination too, till you touched my sacred right hand. I agree that a man of an inferior caste should not marry a woman of a superior caste. But when he does, the bond becomes indissoluble, and it transcends all ethical injunctions."
"That is why I say we cannot marry." "What you say is absurd, since both of us stand committed."
"Whatever you may say, I cannot marry you, and I have already told you why. Permit me to restore you to your father who must be pining for you, Devayani."
"Why not call me Devi for short, Yayati? My home is here now_in the wilderness. And my father will stop pining for me the moment he knows the truth about myself, the truth that only you and I know at present. Sarmishta threw me into a mere well; you have cast me into Hell.”
"I am helpless, Devayani.”
"You are, indeed, you are. But I know you shall marry me some day. You may go now."
"I do not know. Be well with you!" Thus leaving Deva. yani reluctantly to her own fate, Yayati and his retinue rode off and the darkness enveloped them.
Sukracharya, who had many, many anxious moments since his only child's departure, had sent a woman attendant in search of her, and now nervously prepared himself to receive the worst possible news about Devayani. At the moment the maid's return seemed to him more important than his own daughter's.
At last the servant came and bowed to him and remained silent. "Did you find her?" asked Sukracharya anxiously. She
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