Sharmishtha Wins Yayati

Verse 1 (1.76.1)

ययातिः स्वपुरं प्राप्य महेन्द्रपुरसंनिभम् । प्रविश्यान्तःपुरं तत्र देवयानीं न्यवेशयत् ॥

yayātiḥ svapuraṃ prāpya mahendrapurasaṃnibham | praviśyāntaḥpuraṃ tatra devayānīṃ nyaveśayat

When Yayati reached his city, which was like the city of great Indra, he entered the inner apartments and settled Devayani there.

Verse 2 (1.76.2)

देवयान्याश्चानुमते सुतां तां वृषपर्वणः । अशोकवनिकाभ्याशे गृहं कृत्वा न्यवेशयत् ॥

devayānyāścānumate sutāṃ tāṃ vṛṣaparvaṇaḥ | aśokavanikābhyāśe gṛhaṃ kṛtvā nyaveśayat

With Devayani's consent he had a house built near the Ashoka grove and settled Vrishaparvan's daughter there.

Verse 3 (1.76.3)

वृतां दासीसहस्रेण शर्मिष्ठां वार्षपर्वणीम् । वासोभिरन्नपानैश्च संविभज्य सुसत्कृताम् ॥

vṛtāṃ dāsīsahasreṇa śarmiṣṭhāṃ vārṣaparvaṇīm | vāsobhirannapānaiśca saṃvibhajya susatkṛtām

Sharmishtha, daughter of Vrishaparvan, attended by her thousand serving-women, was given her share of clothes, food and drink and treated with every honour.

Note on the text: Corrected वासोभरन्नपानैश्च → वासोभिरन्नपानैश्च (misprint in Wikisource; dropped i-sign, following the critical edition's vāsobhir annapānaiś). वार्षपर्वणीम् for the critical edition's āsurāyaṇīm is a recension variant and is kept.

Verse 4 (1.76.4)

देवयान्या तु सहितः स नृपो नहुषात्मजः । प्रीत्या परमया युक्तो मुमुदे शाश्वतीः समाः ॥

devayānyā tu sahitaḥ sa nṛpo nahuṣātmajaḥ | prītyā paramayā yukto mumude śāśvatīḥ samāḥ

The king, Nahusha's son, lived with Devayani in the deepest affection and was happy for years without end.

Note on the text: The second line (प्रीत्या परमया युक्तो …) is not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Removed stray wiki marks (backtick/quote marks).

Verse 5 (1.76.5)

अशोकवनिकामध्ये देवयानी समागता । शर्मिष्ठया सा क्रीडित्वा रमणीये मनोरमे ॥

aśokavanikāmadhye devayānī samāgatā | śarmiṣṭhayā sā krīḍitvā ramaṇīye manorame

Devayani would come to the Ashoka grove and amuse herself with Sharmishtha in that lovely, delightful place.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 6 (1.76.6)

तत्रैव तां तु निर्दिश्य राज्ञा सह ययौ गृहम् । एवमेव सह प्रीत्या बहु कालं मुमोद च ॥

tatraiva tāṃ tu nirdiśya rājñā saha yayau gṛham | evameva saha prītyā bahu kālaṃ mumoda ca

Then, leaving her there, she would go home with the king. In this way she lived happily and lovingly for a long time.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Removed stray wiki marks (backtick/quote marks).

Verse 7 (1.76.7)

विजहार बहूनब्दान्देववन्मुदितः सुखी ॥

vijahāra bahūnabdāndevavanmuditaḥ sukhī

And the king took his pleasure for many years like a god, joyful and content.

Note on the text: Wikisource prints this half-verse on its own; it is the closing line (4cd) of the critical edition's 1.77.4.

Verse 8 (1.76.8)

ऋतुकाले तु संप्राप्ते देवयानी वराङ्गना । लेभे गर्भं प्रथमतः कुमारं च व्यजायत ॥

ṛtukāle tu saṃprāpte devayānī varāṅganā | lebhe garbhaṃ prathamataḥ kumāraṃ ca vyajāyata

When her season came, the lovely Devayani conceived, and she gave birth to her first child, a son.

Verse 9 (1.76.9)

गते वर्षसहस्रे तु शर्मिष्ठा वार्षपर्वणी । ददर्श यौवनं प्राप्ता ऋतुं सा चान्वचिन्तयत् ॥

gate varṣasahasre tu śarmiṣṭhā vārṣaparvaṇī | dadarśa yauvanaṃ prāptā ṛtuṃ sā cānvacintayat

When a thousand years had passed, Sharmishtha, daughter of Vrishaparvan, found that she had come into her youth. She saw that her season had come, and she fell to thinking.

Verse 10 (1.76.10)

शुद्धा स्नाता तु शर्मिष्ठा सर्वालङ्कारशोभिता । अशोकशाखामालम्ब्य सुपुष्पस्तबकैर्वृताम् ॥

śuddhā snātā tu śarmiṣṭhā sarvālaṅkāraśobhitā | aśokaśākhāmālambya supuṣpastabakairvṛtām

Bathed and pure, adorned with every ornament, Sharmishtha took hold of an Ashoka branch laden with clusters of lovely flowers,

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Removed stray wiki marks (backtick/quote marks).

Verse 11 (1.76.11)

आदर्शे मुखमुद्वीक्ष्य भर्तुर्दर्शनलालसा । शोकमोहसमाविष्टा वचनं चेदमब्रवीत् ॥

ādarśe mukhamudvīkṣya bharturdarśanalālasā | śokamohasamāviṣṭā vacanaṃ cedamabravīt

and, looking at her face in a mirror, longing to see her lord, overcome by grief and confusion, she said:

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 12 (1.76.12)

अशोक शोकापनुद शोकोपहतचेतसाम् । त्वन्नामानं कुरुष्वाद्य प्रियसंदर्शनेन माम् । एवमुक्तवती सा तु शर्मिष्ठा पुनरब्रवीत् ॥

aśoka śokāpanuda śokopahatacetasām | tvannāmānaṃ kuruṣvādya priyasaṃdarśanena mām | evamuktavatī sā tu śarmiṣṭhā punarabravīt

"Ashoka, you who drive away the sorrow of those whose hearts are stricken with sorrow, make me true to your name now, free of sorrow, by letting me see my beloved." Having said this, Sharmishtha spoke again:

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Removed stray wiki marks (backtick/quote marks).

Verse 13 (1.76.13)

ऋतुकालश्च संप्राप्तो न च मेऽस्ति वृतः पतिः । किं प्राप्तं किं नु कर्तव्यं किं वा कृत्वा सुखं भवेत् ॥

ṛtukālaśca saṃprāpto na ca me'sti vṛtaḥ patiḥ | kiṃ prāptaṃ kiṃ nu kartavyaṃ kiṃ vā kṛtvā sukhaṃ bhavet

"My season has come, and yet I have no husband of my choosing. What has befallen me? What should I do? What could I do that would bring me happiness?

Verse 14 (1.76.14)

देवयानी प्रजाताऽसौ वृथाऽहं प्राप्तयौवना । यथा तया वृतो भर्ता तथैवाहं वृणोमि तम् ॥

devayānī prajātā'sau vṛthā'haṃ prāptayauvanā | yathā tayā vṛto bhartā tathaivāhaṃ vṛṇomi tam

Devayani has borne a child, while my youth goes to waste. As she chose a husband, so I too shall choose him.

Verse 15 (1.76.15)

राज्ञा पुत्रफलं देयमिति मे निश्चिता मतिः । अपीदानीं स धर्मात्मा ईयान्मे दर्शनं रहः ॥

rājñā putraphalaṃ deyamiti me niścitā matiḥ | apīdānīṃ sa dharmātmā īyānme darśanaṃ rahaḥ

The king should grant me the fruit of a son; that is my firm resolve. Might that righteous man come to see me now, in private?

Verse 16 (1.76.16)

केशैर्बद्ध्वा तु राजानं याचेऽहं सदृशं पतिम् । स्पृहेदिदं देवयानीपुत्रमीक्ष्य पुनःपुनः । क्रीडन्नन्तःपुरे तस्याः क्वचित्क्षणमवाप्य च ॥

keśairbaddhvā tu rājānaṃ yāce'haṃ sadṛśaṃ patim | spṛhedidaṃ devayānīputramīkṣya punaḥpunaḥ | krīḍannantaḥpure tasyāḥ kvacitkṣaṇamavāpya ca

Binding the king with my tresses, I will ask him to be a husband worthy of me. Seeing Devayani's son again and again, he too may come to long for this, as he sports in her inner apartments and finds a moment to himself somewhere."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Corrected केशैर्बध्या → केशैर्बद्ध्वा (misprint in Wikisource; बध्या is not a valid form of the absolutive, following the critical edition's baddhvā) and देवयानी पुत्रमीक्ष्य → देवयानीपुत्रमीक्ष्य (a compound split by a stray space, which leaves देवयानी as a subject clashing with the masculine क्रीडन्; following the critical edition's devayānīputram). Removed stray wiki marks (backtick/quote marks).

Verse 17 (1.76.17)

अथ निष्क्रम्य राजाऽसौ तस्मिन्काले यदृच्छया । अशोकवनिकाभ्याशे शर्मिष्ठां प्राप तिष्ठतीम् ॥

atha niṣkramya rājā'sau tasminkāle yadṛcchayā | aśokavanikābhyāśe śarmiṣṭhāṃ prāpa tiṣṭhatīm

Just then the king happened to come out, and near the Ashoka grove he came upon Sharmishtha standing there.

Note on the text: Removed the speaker line वैशंपायन उवाच printed at the head of the verse (the narration simply resumes here). Removed stray wiki marks (backtick/quote marks).

Verse 18 (1.76.18)

तमेकं रहिते दृष्ट्वा शर्मिष्ठा चारुहासिनी । प्रत्युद्गम्याञ्जलिं कृत्वा राजानं वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥

tamekaṃ rahite dṛṣṭvā śarmiṣṭhā cāruhāsinī | pratyudgamyāñjaliṃ kṛtvā rājānaṃ vākyamabravīt

Seeing him alone in that secluded place, Sharmishtha of the lovely smile went forward to meet him, folded her hands and spoke to the king.

Verse 19 (1.76.19)

सोमस्येन्द्रस्य विष्णोर्वा यमस्य वरुणस्य वा । तव वा नाहुष गृहे कः स्त्रियं द्रष्टुमर्हति ॥

somasyendrasya viṣṇorvā yamasya varuṇasya vā | tava vā nāhuṣa gṛhe kaḥ striyaṃ draṣṭumarhati

In the house of Soma, of Indra, of Vishnu, of Yama or of Varuna, or in yours, son of Nahusha, who would dare to look upon a woman?

Verse 20 (1.76.20)

रूपाभिजनशीलैर्हि त्वं राजन्वेत्थ मां सदा । सा त्वां याचे प्रसाद्याहमृतुं देहि नराधिप ॥

rūpābhijanaśīlairhi tvaṃ rājanvettha māṃ sadā | sā tvāṃ yāce prasādyāhamṛtuṃ dehi narādhipa

You have always known me, king, by my beauty, birth and character. Seeking your favour, I ask of you: grant me my season, lord of men.

Verse 21 (1.76.21)

वेद्मि त्वां शीलसंपन्नां दैत्यकन्यामनिन्दिताम् । रूपं च ते न पश्यामि सूच्यग्रमपि निन्दितम् ॥

vedmi tvāṃ śīlasaṃpannāṃ daityakanyāmaninditām | rūpaṃ ca te na paśyāmi sūcyagramapi ninditam

I know you to be a blameless daughter of the Daityas, rich in good character, and in your beauty I cannot find a flaw even the size of a needle's point.

Verse 22 (1.76.22)

तदाप्रभृति दृष्ट्वा त्वां स्मराम्यनिशमुत्तमे । अब्रवीदुशना काव्यो देवयानीं यदाऽवहम् । नेयमाह्वयितव्या ते शयने वार्षपर्वणी ॥

tadāprabhṛti dṛṣṭvā tvāṃ smarāmyaniśamuttame | abravīduśanā kāvyo devayānīṃ yadā'vaham | neyamāhvayitavyā te śayane vārṣaparvaṇī

Ever since I first saw you, noblest of women, I have thought of you without cease. But when I married Devayani, Kavya Ushanas told me: "Vrishaparvan's daughter is not to be called to your bed.

Note on the text: The first line (तदाप्रभृति दृष्ट्वा त्वां …) is not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the other two lines are its 1.77.15. Removed stray wiki marks (backtick/quote marks).

Verse 23 (1.76.23)

देवयान्याः प्रियं कृत्वा शर्मिष्ठामपि पोषय ॥

devayānyāḥ priyaṃ kṛtvā śarmiṣṭhāmapi poṣaya

Do what pleases Devayani, and look after Sharmishtha as well."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Removed stray wiki marks (backtick/quote marks).

Verse 24 (1.76.24)

न नर्मयुक्तमनृतं हिनस्ति । न स्त्रीषु राजन्न विवाहकाले । प्राणात्यये सर्वधनापहारे । पञ्चानृतान्याहुरपातकानि ॥

na narmayuktamanṛtaṃ hinasti | na strīṣu rājanna vivāhakāle | prāṇātyaye sarvadhanāpahāre | pañcānṛtānyāhurapātakāni

A lie told in jest does no harm, king, nor one told to women, nor at the time of marriage, nor when life is at stake, nor when all one's wealth is being seized. These five lies, they say, are no sin.

Verse 25 (1.76.25)

पृष्टं तु साक्ष्ये प्रवदन्तमन्यथा । वदन्ति मिथ्या पतितं नरेन्द्र । एकार्थतायां तु समाहितायां । मिथ्या वदन्तं ह्यनृतं हिनस्ति ॥

pṛṣṭaṃ tu sākṣye pravadantamanyathā | vadanti mithyā patitaṃ narendra | ekārthatāyāṃ tu samāhitāyāṃ | mithyā vadantaṃ hyanṛtaṃ hinasti

But one who, questioned as a witness, says otherwise, lord of men, is called a liar and a fallen man. When both sides are bound to a single purpose, it is the one who speaks falsely whom the falsehood destroys.

Verse 26 (1.76.26)

अनृतं नानृतं स्त्रीषु परिहासविवाहयोः । आत्मप्राणार्थघाते च तदेवोत्तमतां व्रजेत् ॥

anṛtaṃ nānṛtaṃ strīṣu parihāsavivāhayoḥ | ātmaprāṇārthaghāte ca tadevottamatāṃ vrajet

An untruth is no untruth when told to women, in jest or at a wedding, or when one's own life or wealth is under threat; then it even becomes the better course.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Removed stray wiki marks (backtick/quote marks).

Verse 27 (1.76.27)

राजा प्रमाणं भूतानां स नश्येत मृषा वदन् । अर्थकृच्छ्रमपि प्राप्य न मिथ्या कर्तुमुत्सहे ॥

rājā pramāṇaṃ bhūtānāṃ sa naśyeta mṛṣā vadan | arthakṛcchramapi prāpya na mithyā kartumutsahe

The king is the standard for all creatures; he would perish if he spoke falsely. Even if I fall into the direst straits, I cannot bring myself to act falsely.

Verse 28 (1.76.28)

समावेतौ मतौ राजन्पतिः सख्याश्च यः पतिः । समं विवाहमित्याहुः सख्या मेऽसि वृतः पतिः ॥

samāvetau matau rājanpatiḥ sakhyāśca yaḥ patiḥ | samaṃ vivāhamityāhuḥ sakhyā me'si vṛtaḥ patiḥ

These two are held to be equal, king: one's own husband and a friend's husband. Marriage, they say, is shared alike. My friend chose you as her husband, so you are mine as well.

Note on the text: Corrected मतो → मतौ (misprint in Wikisource; the dual is required to agree with एतौ, following the critical edition's matau).

Verse 29 (1.76.29)

सह दत्तास्मि काव्येन देवयान्या मनीषिणा । पूज्या पोषयितव्येति न मृषा कर्तुमर्हसि ॥

saha dattāsmi kāvyena devayānyā manīṣiṇā | pūjyā poṣayitavyeti na mṛṣā kartumarhasi

The wise Kavya gave me away together with Devayani, saying that I was to be honoured and provided for. You should not make his word false.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Removed stray wiki marks (backtick/quote marks).

Verse 30 (1.76.30)

सुवर्णमणिमुक्तानि वस्त्राण्याभरणानि च । याचितॄणां ददासि त्वं गोभूम्यादीनि यानि च ॥

suvarṇamaṇimuktāni vastrāṇyābharaṇāni ca | yācitṝṇāṃ dadāsi tvaṃ gobhūmyādīni yāni ca

Gold, gems and pearls, garments and ornaments, cattle, land and all the rest: these you give to those who ask.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 31 (1.76.31)

बहिःस्थं दानमित्युक्तं न शरीराश्रितं नृप । दुष्करं पुत्रदानं च आत्मदानं च दुष्करम् ॥

bahiḥsthaṃ dānamityuktaṃ na śarīrāśritaṃ nṛpa | duṣkaraṃ putradānaṃ ca ātmadānaṃ ca duṣkaram

Such a gift is called external, king; it does not touch the body. To give a son is hard, and to give oneself is hard.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 32 (1.76.32)

शरीरदानात्तत्सर्वं दत्तं भवति मारिष । यस्य यस्य यथा कामस्तस्य तस्य ददाम्यहम् ॥

śarīradānāttatsarvaṃ dattaṃ bhavati māriṣa | yasya yasya yathā kāmastasya tasya dadāmyaham

By giving the body, sir, everything is given. "Whatever anyone desires, that I shall give him":

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 33 (1.76.33)

इत्युक्त्वा नगरे राजंस्त्रिकालं घोषितं त्वया । त्वयोक्तमनृतं राजन्वृथा घोषितमेव वा । तत्सत्यं कुरु राजेन्द्र यथा वैश्रवणस्तथा ॥

ityuktvā nagare rājaṃstrikālaṃ ghoṣitaṃ tvayā | tvayoktamanṛtaṃ rājanvṛthā ghoṣitameva vā | tatsatyaṃ kuru rājendra yathā vaiśravaṇastathā

having said this, king, you had it proclaimed in the city three times a day. Otherwise your word would be untrue, king, and the proclamation made for nothing. Make it true, king of kings, as Vaishravana does.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 34 (1.76.34)

दातव्यं याचमानेभ्य इति मे व्रतमाहितम् । त्वं च याचसि मां कामं ब्रूहि किं करवाणि ते ॥

dātavyaṃ yācamānebhya iti me vratamāhitam | tvaṃ ca yācasi māṃ kāmaṃ brūhi kiṃ karavāṇi te

"Give to those who ask": that is the vow I have taken. And you ask me for what you desire. Tell me, what shall I do for you?

Verse 35 (1.76.35)

धनं वा यदि वा किंचिद्राज्यं वाऽपि शुचिस्मिते ॥

dhanaṃ vā yadi vā kiṃcidrājyaṃ vā'pi śucismite

Wealth, or anything else, or even a kingdom, sweet-smiling one?

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Removed stray wiki marks (backtick/quote marks). Wikisource runs this line of Yayati's together with Sharmishtha's reply (अधर्मात्पाहि मां राजन्धर्मं च प्रतिपादय, the critical edition's 1.77.21ab, spoken by Sharmishtha) as one verse; that line is moved to the next verse, which is hers.

Verse 36 (1.76.36)

अधर्मात्पाहि मां राजन्धर्मं च प्रतिपादय । नान्यं वृणे पुत्रकामा पुत्रात्परतरं न च । त्वत्तोऽपत्यवती लोके चरेयं धर्ममुत्तमम् ॥

adharmātpāhi māṃ rājandharmaṃ ca pratipādaya | nānyaṃ vṛṇe putrakāmā putrātparataraṃ na ca | tvatto'patyavatī loke careyaṃ dharmamuttamam

Save me from wrongdoing, king, and lead me to dharma. Wanting a son, I choose no other, for nothing is greater than a son. Becoming a mother through you, I would practise the highest dharma in the world.

Note on the text: The first line is moved here from Wikisource verse 35, where it was printed after Yayati's line; it is Sharmishtha's reply. The middle line (नान्यं वृणे पुत्रकामा …) is not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Removed stray wiki marks (backtick/quote marks).

Verse 37 (1.76.37)

त्रय एवाधना राजन्भार्या दासस्तथा सुतः । यत्ते समधिगच्छन्ति यस्यैते तस्य तद्धनम् ॥

traya evādhanā rājanbhāryā dāsastathā sutaḥ | yatte samadhigacchanti yasyaite tasya taddhanam

Three, king, own no wealth: the wife, the servant and the son. Whatever they acquire belongs to him to whom they belong.

Verse 38 (1.76.38)

पुत्रार्थं भर्तृपोषार्थं स्त्रियः सृष्टाः स्वयंभुवा । अपतिर्वापि या कन्या अनपत्या च या भवेत् । तासां जन्म वृथा लोके गतिस्तासां न विद्यते ॥

putrārthaṃ bhartṛpoṣārthaṃ striyaḥ sṛṣṭāḥ svayaṃbhuvā | apatirvāpi yā kanyā anapatyā ca yā bhavet | tāsāṃ janma vṛthā loke gatistāsāṃ na vidyate

The Self-born created women for the sake of sons and to sustain their husbands. A maiden without a husband, or a woman who remains childless: such women are born in vain in this world, and there is no path for them.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Removed stray wiki marks (backtick/quote marks).

Verse 39 (1.76.39)

देवयान्या भुजिष्याऽस्मि वश्या च तव भार्गवी । सा चाहं च त्वया राजन्भजनीये भजस्व माम् ॥

devayānyā bhujiṣyā'smi vaśyā ca tava bhārgavī | sā cāhaṃ ca tvayā rājanbhajanīye bhajasva mām

I am Devayani's servant, and Bhargava's daughter is subject to you. She and I are both yours to cherish, king; so take me.

Verse 40 (1.76.40)

एवमुक्तस्तु राजा स तथ्यमित्यभिजज्ञिवान् । पूजयामास शर्मिष्ठां धर्मं च प्रत्यपादयत् ॥

evamuktastu rājā sa tathyamityabhijajñivān | pūjayāmāsa śarmiṣṭhāṃ dharmaṃ ca pratyapādayat

So addressed, the king recognised that what she said was true. He honoured Sharmishtha and upheld dharma.

Verse 41 (1.76.41)

स समागम्य शर्मिष्ठां यथा काममवाप्य च । अन्योन्यं चाभिसंपूज्य जग्मतुस्तौ यथागतम् ॥

sa samāgamya śarmiṣṭhāṃ yathā kāmamavāpya ca | anyonyaṃ cābhisaṃpūjya jagmatustau yathāgatam

He came together with Sharmishtha and they had their desire; then, having honoured each other, the two went back the way they had come.

Verse 42 (1.76.42)

तस्मिन्समागमे सुभ्रूः शर्मिष्ठा चारुहासिनी । लेभे गर्भं प्रथमतस्तस्मान्नृपतिसत्तमात् ॥

tasminsamāgame subhrūḥ śarmiṣṭhā cāruhāsinī | lebhe garbhaṃ prathamatastasmānnṛpatisattamāt

From that union the fair-browed Sharmishtha of the lovely smile conceived her first child by that best of kings.

Verse 43 (1.76.43)

प्रजज्ञे च ततः काले राजन्राजीवलोचना । कुमारं देवगर्भाभं राजीवनिभलोचनम् ॥

prajajñe ca tataḥ kāle rājanrājīvalocanā | kumāraṃ devagarbhābhaṃ rājīvanibhalocanam

And in due time, O king, the lotus-eyed woman gave birth to a son as radiant as a child of the gods, with eyes like lotuses.

Note on the text: Corrected प्रयज्ञे → प्रजज्ञे (misprint in Wikisource; य for ज, following the critical edition's prajajñe).