The marriage of Devayani
Devayani rescued from the well by Yayathi
One warm afternoon Devayani and the daughters of Vrishaparva, the king of asuras was sporting in the woods. Soon they were tired and went to bathe in the cool waters after depositing the garlands on the bank.
A strong breeze blew their cloths in to a huddled heap. When they came to take them up again it so happened the princess Sarmishtha, the daughter of the king, clad herself in Devayani's clothes. Devayani was vexed and exclaimed in half jest at the impropriety of the daughter of a disciple wearing the clothes of the master's daughter.
The princess became very angry and said arrogantly. "You are the daughter of a beggar who lives on my father's bounty. You forget I am of the royal race which proudly gives while come of a race which begs and receives, and you dare to speak thus to me." Sarmishtha slapped Devayani on the cheek and pushed her into a dry well.
Emperor Yayathi who was hunting in the forest came to the spot in search of water. He was surprised to see Devayani in the well and he helped her out of the well. Devayani said that she is the daughter of Sukracharya. She told Yayathi. "You have held a maiden by her right hand, you must marry her." Yayathi replied. " I am a kshatria and you a Brahmin girl. It is wrong for a Brahmin mainden to marry a kshatria." Saying this Yayathi went back to his capital
Devayani had no mind to return home. Her father sent a woman in search of her. Devayanai said to the woman to tell her father that she would not return home, Sukracharya hurried to her. Devayani told her father how Sarmishtha behaved. Sukracharya said, "You are the daughter of one who is reverenced by all in the world. Let us go home." But she declined. Sukracharya went to Vishaparva and told what had had happened to her daughter in the forest, He said, "My daughter cannot any more stay in your kingdom. I am going out of kingdom with my daughter." Vishaparva said that he was ignorant of the incidents. He went to the forest and threw himself at her feet. Devayani said, 'Sarmistha who told me I was the daughter of a beggar should become handmaiden and attend on me in the house into which my father gives me in marriage."
Vishvaparva consented. Sarmishta and admitted her fault and that she will be her attendant. Devayani was pacified and returned home with her father.
On another occasion Devayani came across Yayathi. Devayani repeated her request. Yayathi again declined. They went to Sukracharya and got his assent to their marriage. Yayathi and Devayani spent many days in happiness. Sarmishtha remained with her as an attendant. One day Sarmistha met Yayathi in secret and asked him to marry her also. He yielded to her request and married her without the knowledge of Devayani. When Devayani came to know of this she became very angry. She complained to her father Sukracharya. Sukracharya cursed Yayathi with premature old age. Yayathi begged so humbly for forgiveness. Sukracharya, who had not forgotten the rescue of Devayani from the well said, " The curse cannot be recalled, but if you can pursuade anyone to exchange his youth for your age the exchange will take effect."