Tales froM Indian Mythology

Author(s): A S Raman
Publisher: Kutub Popular

Page 93

Devayani and Sarmishta
63
would not say a word in reply. He implored her again and again to break the news, however bad it might be. And when he was about to touch her feet, she intercepted him bursting into tears. "My master,” she addressed him in a tone quivering with emotion, “she has refused to return to the capital.” "So she is safe somewhere,” he declared in ecstasy. "Where is she? What is her grievance? Against whom? Will you take me to her? Who knows, she may refuse to see me! Tell me all about her."
"My revered master,” she began to explain. "Devayani is in the north-west jungle." "No," he said interrupting her, "you need not describe her plight. I can visualize it. Take me to her.”
Sukracharya, accompanied by his maid, rushed to the forest to meet Devayani who at the time was sitting under a big, burly banyan tree wrapped in her own dreams and fears. "My beloved child,” cried Sukracharya, embracing her. "Father," she said, "there is no place for me in the kingdom of Vrishaparva. I have exiled myself from there." "What was the provocation?" demanded Sukracharya. "Who caused it?”
"Is it true that you and I depend for our existence on the charity doled out by Sarmishta's father? Why did you conceal this fact from me? Perhaps you feared that I might disown you."
"My beloved child, now I know who has insulted you. Sarmishta is a stupid, spoilt child. Why do you take her seriously?”
"You cannot imagine how murderous her stupidity is. Having heaped the worst of abuse on me, on you and all the