||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter - 140 - The legend of Yayathi - 1

The King Nakusha of Soma dynasty after performing hundreds of Yagna obtained the honor of Lord Bhramam for a short period of time.  Lord Indra disappeared after the battle with the demon Vriththasura, therefore the title of Lord Indra was given to King Nakusha who has completed hundreds of fire sacrifices.  Thus, King Nakusha took the throne of the abode of Lord Indra, unfortunately, he had a deep desire for Devi Indrani who is the chaste wife of Lord Indra.  The Saptharishis took Nakusha in a celestial vehicle to the fortress of Devi Indrani, meanwhile, King Nakusha disrespectfully frowned at Sage Agasthya was cursed to become a serpent and has fallen down to Earth.

Once, King Yayathi who is the son of King Nakusha went for a hunting expedition, arrived in the middle of the woods, there he could hear the voice of a woman shrieking out for help.   King went in search of the voice and found a well, inside the well, there was a beautiful woman without any clothes.  King Yayathi took his upper clothe and put forward to her, as the well was not so deep.  The woman took hold of the upper clothe and came out of the well, took the hand of the King Yayathi.  She requested the King to marry her, as he was the one who took hold of her.  King Yayathi enquired her whereabouts in detail were narrated as follows.  She introduced herself as Devayani, the daughter of Shukracharya who is the preceptor of demons.  Devayani with her father Shukracharya resided in the fortress of King Vrishaparva.  Devyani became close companion Sharmishta who is the daughter of King Vrishaparva.  Once, Devayani, with her companion Sharmishta and numerous attendants went to the pond for taking bath, they kept their clothes on the bank and merrily played water sports.  At that moment Lord Mahadeva and Parvati were traveling close to the pond, Sharmishta hurried to the bank and covered herself with the clothes of Devayani who was furious and shrieked in utter dismay, “How dare you wear the clothes of a Bhramin woman? You have performed most outrageous act like a dog in the Yagna arena licking the offerings kept for the Yagna.” The most humiliated Kshathriya woman Sharmishta, replied “ You are utterly shameless, you twice-born are living with the graciousness of the Kshatriyas, do not forget that.  We are the one living source for you and your father.” After saying so, Sharmishta pushed Devayani into the well.  King Yaythi amiably listens to her pathetic story and advised her that Shukracharya won’t agree with her to marry him, thus he put off her desire to marry him.  Devayani narrated the curse on her by the son of Bhrihaspathi, that she won’t get a right match from the family of twice-born, she insisted the King Yayathi to marry her, further she went to get permission from her father.  Devayani explained the happenings in the wood to her father Shukracharya and compelled him to leave the fortress of KingVrishaparva who was extremely worried at the decision of Shukracharya who is his preceptor. King Vrishaparva was fully aware of his strength is vested with his preceptor, approached him anxiously, and fallen at his feet with a request not to leave his fortress.  Thus, Shukracharya agreed to stay in the palace if Devayani was treated with honor.  King Vrishaparva requested Devayani what should he do to make her happy.