# The Mahabharata/Book 1: Adi Parva/Section LXXXII

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 ​busy with her thoughts, the king wandering listlessly came to that very forest of Asokas, and beholding Sharmishta before him, stood there in silence. Then Sharmishta of beautiful smiles seeing the monarch before her with nobody to witness what might pass, approaching the monarch said, joining her hands, 'O son of Nahusha, no one can behold the ladies that dwell in the inner apartments of Shoma, of Indra, of Vishnu, of Yama, of Varuna, and of thine. Thou knowest, O king, that I am both handsome and well-born. I solicit thee, O king! My season hath arrived: see that it goeth not in vain.'
"Yayati answered, 'Well do I know that the honor of birth is thine, born as thou art in the proud race of the Danavas. Thou art also gifted with beauty. Indeed, I do not see even the speck of a fault in thy features. But Usana commanded me while I was united with Deva-yani that never should Vrishaparva's daughter be summoned to my bed.'
"Sharmishta then said, 'It hath been said, O king, that it is not sinful to lie on the occasion of a joke, in respect of women sought to be enjoyed, on occasions of marriage, in prospect of immediate death and of the loss of one's whole fortune. Lying is excusable on these five occasions. O king, it is false that he is fallen who speaks not the truth when asked. Both Deva-yani and myself have been called hither as companions to serve the same purpose. When, therefore, thou hadst said that thou wouldst confine thyself to one only amongst us, that was a lie thou hadst spoken.' Yayati replied, 'A king should ever be a pattern in the eyes of his people. That monarch certainly meets with destruction who speaks untruths. As for myself, I do not dare speak an untruth even if the greatest loss threatens me.' Sharmishta answered, 'O monarch, one may look upon her friend's husband as her own. One's friend's marriage is the same as one's own. Thou hast been chosen by my friend as her husband. Thou art as much my husband therefore.' Yayati then said, 'It is, indeed, my vow to always grant what one asketh. Thou askest me. Therefore tell me what am I to do! Sharmishta then said, 'Absolve me, O king, from sin! Protect my virtue! Becoming a mother ​by thee let me practise the highest virtue in this world. It is said, O king, that a wife, a slave, and a son, cam never earn wealth for themselves. That which they earn always belongeth to him who owneth them. I am, indeed, the slave of of Deva-yani. Thou art Deva-yani's master and lord. Thou art, therefore, O king, my master and lord as much as Deva-yani's. I solicit thee. O fill my wishes!'"
Vaisampayana continued, "Thus addressed by Sharmishta, the monarch was persuaded that all she spoke was true. He, therefore, honored Sharmishta by protecting her virtue. And they passed some time together. And taking an affectionate farewell of each other they then separated, each returning to whence he or she had come.
"And it came to pass that Sharmishta of sweet smiles and fair eye-brows conceived in consequence of that connection of hers with that best of monarchs. And, O king, that lotus-eyed lady then in due time brought forth a son of the splendour of a celestial child and of eyes like lotus leaves."
And thus ends the eighty-second Section in the Sambhava of the Adi Parva.