I have acted rightly and according to the precepts of
virtue, and therefore, do I not fear thee. When thou hadst chosen the king
for thy husband, I, too, chose him as mine. O beautiful one, a friend's
husband is, according to usage, one's own husband as well. Thou art the
daughter of a Brahmana and, therefore, deservest my worship and regard.
But dost thou not know that this royal sage is held by me in greater
esteem still?'
"Vaisampayana said, 'Devayani then, hearing those words of hers, exclaimed,
O king, thus, 'Thou hast wronged me, O monarch! I shall not live here any
longer.' And saying this, she quickly rose, with tearful eyes, to go to
her father. And the king was grieved to see her thus, and alarmed greatly,
followed in her foot-steps, endeavouring to appease her wrath. But
Devayani, with eyes red with anger, would not desist. Speaking not a word
to the king, with eyes bathed in tears, she soon reached the side of her
father Usanas, the son of Kavi. And beholding her father, she stood before
him, after due salutations. And Yayati also, immediately after, saluted
and worshipped Bhargava.'
"And Devayani said, 'O father, virtue hath been vanquished by vice. The
low have risen, and the high have fallen. I have been offended again by
Sarmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparvan. Three sons have been begotten
upon her by this king Yayati. But, O father, being luckless I have got
only two sons! O son of Bhrigu, this king is renowned for his knowledge of
the precepts of religion.
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