The Great Epic of the Bhārata dynasty 1.72.18

1.72.18

ārṣaṃ dharmaṃ bruvāṇo'haṃ devayāni yathā tvayā |
śapto nārho'smi śāpasya kāmato'dya na dharmataḥ || 18 ||

"Hearing this, Kacha said, 'I have refused thy request only because thou art the daughter of my preceptor, and not because thou hast any fault. Nor hath my preceptor in this respect issued any command. Curse me if it please thee. I have told thee what the behaviour should be of a Rishi. I do not deserve thy curse, O Devayani. But yet thou hast cursed me! Thou hast acted under the influence of passion and not from a sense of duty. Therefore, thy desire will not be fulfilled. No Rishi's son shall ever accept thy hand in marriage. Thou hast said that my knowledge shall not bear fruit. Let it be so. But in respect of him it shall bear fruit to whom I may impart it.'