“Vaisampayana continued, ’Hearing these words, Devayani became exceedingly angry and began to pull at her clothes.  Sarmishtha thereupon threw her into a well and went home.  Indeed, the wicked Sarmishtha believing that Devayani was dead, bent her steps home-wards in a wrathful mood.

“After Sarmishtha had left, Yayati the son of Nahusha soon came to that spot.  The king had been out a-hunting.  The couple of horses harnessed to his car and the other single horse with him were all fatigued.  And the king himself was thirsty.  And the son of Nahusha saw a well that was by.  And he saw that it was dry.  But in looking down into it, he saw a maiden who in splendour was like a blazing fire.  And beholding her within it, the blessed king addressed that girl of the complexion of the celestials, soothing her with sweet words.  And he said, ’Who art thou, O fair one, of nails bright as burnished copper, and with ear-rings decked with celestial gems?  Thou seemest to be greatly perturbed.  Why dost thou weep in affliction?  How, indeed, hast thou fallen into this well covered with creepers and long grass?  And, O slender-waisted girl, answer me truly whose daughter thou art.

“Devayani then replied, ’I am the daughter of Sukra who brings back into life the Asuras slain by the gods.  He doth not know what hath befallen me.  This is my right hand, O king, with nails bright as burnished copper.  Thou art well-born; I ask thee, to take and raise me up!  I know thou art of good behaviour, of great prowess, and of wide fame!  It behoveth thee, therefore, to raise me from this well.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’King Yayati, learning that she was a Brahmana’s daughter, raised her from that well by catching hold of her right hand.  And the monarch promptly raising her from the pit and squinting to her tapering thighs, sweetly and courteously returned to his capital.

“When the son of Nahusha had gone away, Devayani of faultless features, afflicted with grief, then spoke unto her maid, Ghurnika by name, who met her then.  And she said, ’O Ghurnika, go thou quickly and speak to my father without loss of time of everything as it hath happened.  I shall not now enter the city of Vrishaparvan.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’Ghurnika, thus commanded, repaired quickly to the mansion, of the Asura chief, where she saw Kavya and spoke unto him with her perception dimmed by anger.  And she said, ’I tell thee, O great Brahmana, that Devayani hath been ill-used, O fortunate one, in the forest by Sarmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparvan.’  And Kavya, hearing that his daughter had been ill-used by Sarmishtha speedily went out with a heavy heart, seeking her in the woods.  And when he found her in the woods, he clasped her with affection and spoke unto her with voice choked with grief, ’O daughter, the weal or woe that befalleth people is always due to their own faults.  Thou hast therefore some fault, I ween, which hath been expiated thus.’