"Vaishampaayana said, 'When Devayani of sweet smiles heard of the birth of this child, she became jealous, and O Bharata (Janamejaya), Sharmishtaa became an object of her unpleasant reflections. Devayani, going to her, addressed her thus, 'O you of fair eye-brows, what sin is this you have committed by yielding to the influence of Kaamaa?'
"Sharmishtaa replied, 'A certain Rishi of Dharmaatma and fully knowledgeable with the Vedas came to me. Capable of granting boons he was requested by me to grant my wishes that were based on considerations of Dharma. O you of sweet smiles, I would not seek the sinful fulfilment of my desires. I tell you truly that this child of mine is by that Rishi!'
"Devayani answered, 'It is all right if that be the case, O frightened one! But if the lineage, name, and family of that Brahmana be known to you, I should like to hear them.'
"Sharmishtaa replied, 'O you of sweet smiles, in Tapas and energy, that Rishi is brilliant like the Sun himself. Seeing him, I had not, any need to make these enquiries.'
"Devayani then said, 'If this is true, if indeed, you have obtained your child from such a superior Brahmana, then, O Sharmishtaa, I have no cause of anger.'
"Vaishampaayana continued, 'Having thus talked and laughed with each other, they separated, Devayani returning to the palace with the knowledge imparted to her by Sharmishtaa. O king (Janamejaya), Yayaati also fathered on Devayani two sons called Yadu and Turvasu, who were like Indra and Vishnu. Sharmishtaa, the daughter of Vrishaparvaa, became through the Rajarishi (Yayaati) the mother of three sons in all, named Drahyu, Anu, and Pooru.
"O king (Janamejaya), it so came to pass that one day Devayani of sweet smiles, accompanied by Yayaati, went into a lonely part of the forest, (in the king's extensive park). There she saw three children of divine beauty playing with perfect trustfulness. Devayani asked in surprise, 'Whose children are they, O king, who are so handsome and so like to the children of Devas? In splendour and beauty they are like you, I should think.'
"Vaishampaayana continued, 'Devayani without waiting for a reply from the king, asked the children themselves, 'O children, what is your lineage? Who is your father? Answer me truly. I desire to know all.' Those children then pointed at the king (with their forefingers) and spoke of Sharmishtaa as their mother.
"Having so said, the children approached the king (Yayaati) to hug his knees. But the king dared not touch them in the presence of Devayani. The boys then left the place, and made towards their mother, weeping in grief. The king, at this conduct of the boys, became very much ashamed.
"But Devayani, marking the affection of the children for the king learnt the secret and addressing Sharmishtaa, said, 'How have you dared to do me an injury, being, as you are, dependent on me? Do you not fear to have used once more to that Asura custom of yours?'
"Sharmishtaa said, 'O you of sweet smiles, all that I told you of a Rishi is perfectly true. I have acted rightly and according to the rule of Dharma, and therefore, I do not fear you. When you had chosen the king for your husband, I, too, chose him as mine. O beautiful one, a friend's husband is, according to usage, one's own husband as well. You are the daughter of a Brahmana and, therefore, deserve my worship and regard. But do you not know that this Rajarishi (Yayaati) is held by me in greater esteem still?'
"Vaishampaayana said, 'O king (Janamejaya), Devayani then, hearing those words of hers, exclaimed thus, 'You have wronged me, O monarch (Yayaati)! I shall not live here any longer.' Saying this, she quickly rose, with tearful eyes, to go to her father. The king was grieved to see her thus, and alarmed greatly, followed in her foot-steps, trying to pacify her anger. But Devayani, with eyes red with anger, would not stop. Speaking not a word to the king, with eyes bathed in tears, she soon reached the side of her father Ushanas (Shukra), the son of Kavi. Seeing her father, she stood before him, after due salutations. Yayaati also, immediately after, saluted and worshipped Bhargava (Asura Guru Shukra).'
"Devayani said, 'O father, Dharma has been vanquished by evil. The low have risen, and the high have fallen. I have been offended again by Sharmishtaa, the daughter of Vrishaparvaa. Three sons have been fathered upon her by this king Yayaati. But, O father, being luckless I have got only two sons! O son of Bhrigu (Shukra), this king is renowned for his knowledge of the rule of Dharma. But, O Kavya (Shukra), I tell you that he has deviated from the path of righteousness.'
"Shukra, hearing all this, said, 'O monarch, since you have made evil your beloved pursuit, though fully acquainted with the rule of Dharma, invincible old age shall paralyse you!'
"Yayaati answered, 'Adorable one, I was requested by the daughter of the Danava king to fructify her season. I did it from a sense of Dharma and not from other motives. O Brahmana (Shukra), that male person, who being requested by a woman in her season does not grant her wishes, is called by those familiar with the Vedas, a slayer of the embryo. He who, solicited in secret by a woman full of desire and in season, goes not in to her, loses Dharma and is called by the learned a killer of the embryo, O son of Bhrigu, for these reasons, and anxious to avoid sin, I went into Sharmishtaa.'
"Shukra then replied, 'You are dependent on me. You should have awaited my command. Having acted falsely in the matter of your duty, O son of Nahusha (Yayaati), you have been guilty of the sin of theft.'
"Vaishampaayana continued, 'Yayaati, the son of Nahusha, thus cursed by the angry Ushanas, was then removed of his youth and immediately overcome by old age.
"Yayaati said, 'O son of Bhrigu, I have not yet been satisfied with youth or with Devayani. Therefore, O Brahmana, be graceful to me so that old age might not touch me.'
"Shukra then answered, 'I never speak an untruth. Now, O king, you are attacked by old age. But if you like, you are competent to transfer this your old age to another.'
"Yayaati said, 'O Brahmana, let it be commanded by you that that son of mine who gives me his youth shall enjoy my kingdom, and shall achieve both Dharma and fame.'
"Shukra replied, 'O son of Nahusha, thinking of me you may transfer this your old age to whomsoever you like. That son who shall give you his youth shall become your successor to the throne. He shall also have long life, wide fame, and numerous children!'"
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