Sarmistha unknowingly put on Devayani's clothes, thus angering Devayani, who then spoke as follows: "Oh, just see the activities of this servant-maid Sarmistha! Disregarding all etiquette, she has put on my clothes, just like a dog snatching clarified butter meant for use in a sacrifice."
When thus rebuked in cruel words, Sarmistha became very angry. Breathing heavily like a serpent and biting her lower lip, she spoke to the daughter ofSukracarya as follows: "You beggar! Since you don't understand your position, why should you talk so much? Don't you wait at our house, depending on us for your livelihood like a crow?" With these unkind words Sarmistha rebuked Devayani, and then she took away Devayani's garments, threw her into a well, and went home.
Meanwhile King Yayati, while on a hunting excursion, happened upon the well in search of a drink of water, and there in the well he saw Devayani. When he saw that she was naked, Yayati immediately gave her his upper cloth. Being very kind to her, he caught her hand with his own and lifted her out.
With words saturated with love and affection, Devayani said to King Yayati, "O great hero, O king, O conqueror of the cities of your enemies, by accepting my hand you have accepted me as your married wife. Let me not be touched by others, for our relationship as husband and wife has been made possible by providence, not by any human being."
Because such a marriage is not sanctioned by regular scriptures, King Yayati did not like it, but because it was arranged by Providence and because he was attracted by Devayani's beauty, he accepted her request.
