then walked round the Brahmana. And the king then went through the auspicious ceremony of marriage according to the rites of the Shastras. And having received from Sukra a rich treasure in the excellent Deva-yani with Sharmishta and those two thousand maidens, and duly honored also by Sukra himself and the Asuras, the best of monarchs then, commanded by the high-souled Bhargava, returned to his capital with a joyous heart."
And so ends the eighty-first Section in the Sambhava of the Adi Parva.
Section LXXXII.
( Sambhava Parva continued. )
Vaisampayana said, "Yayati then, having returned to his capital which was like unto the city itself of Indra, entered his inner apartments and established there his bride Deva-yani. And the monarch, directed by Deva-yani, established Vrishaparva's daughter Sharmishta in a mansion especially erected near the artificial forest of Asokas in his gardens. And the king surrounded Vrishaparva's daughter Sharmishta with a thousand maids and honored her by making every arrangement regarding her food and garments. But it was with Deva-yani that the royal son of Nahusha sported like a celestial for many years in joy and bliss. And when her season came, the fair-Deva-yani conceived. And she brought forth as her first child a fine boy. And when thousand years had passed away, Vrishaparva's daughter Sharmishta having attained to puberty saw that her season too had come. And she became thoughtful. And she said to herself, 'My season hath arrived. But I have not yet chosen a husband. O what hath happened! What should I do! How am I to obtain the fruition of my wishes! Deva-yani hath become a mother. My youth is destined to pass away in vain. Shall I choose him also for my husband whom Deva-yani hath chosen? Indeed, this is my resolve: that monarch should give me a son. Will not the virtuous one grant me an interview in private?"
Vaisampayana continued, "While Sharmishta was thus
