Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v1.c5.61.1

v1.c5.61.1

Some time later Devayānī of the lovely face went into that selfsame forest to play. Together with these thousand slave-girls and Çarmishṭhā she came there to that selfsame spot and wandered about to her heart’s desire, accompanied by all these followers, filled with great joy, as all played merrily,² drank sweet heady drinks, ate cakes of many kinds, and partook of fruits. And once again there happened to come hunting this way Nahusha’s son, the king, craving for water, and worn out with weariness. He saw Devayānī and Çarmishṭhā and these fair young girls drinking and sporting, decked with god-like ornaments. And he saw Devayānī of the bright smile, the woman above others, of incomparable form, sitting among these maidens, waited on by Çarmishṭhā, who was rubbing her feet and doing other services. Yayāti spoke : “Two maidens surrounded by two thousand maidens! I ask family and name of both of you, O fair ladies.” Devayānī spoke : “I will tell thee. Hearken unto my words, O Prince of men! Çukra is the name of the teacher of the Asuras. Know then, that I am his daughter. And she there is my friend and slave who follows me everywhere—Çarmishṭhā, the daughter of the king of the Dānavas, Vṛishaparvan.” Yayāti spoke : “But how comes it that this fair-faced maiden, the daughter of the Asura king, she with the lovely brows, is thy friend and slave? I am very curious as to this.” Devayānī spoke : “Every one, O best of men, obeys his fate.