features, the four orders have, indeed, sprung from one body.  But their duties and purity are not the same, the Brahmana being truly superior to all.’  Devayani answered, ’This hand of mine hath never been touched before by any man save thee.  Therefore, do I accept thee for my lord.  How, indeed, shall any other man touch my hand which had before been touched by thyself who art a Rishi?  Yayati then said, ’The wise know that a Brahmana is more to be avoided than an angry snake of virulent poison, or a blazing fire of spreading flames.’  Devayani then told the monarch, ’O bull amongst men, why dost thou, indeed, say that Brahmana should be more avoided than an angry snake of virulent poison or a blazing fire of spreading flames?’ The monarch answered, ’The snake killeth only one.  The sharpest weapon slayeth but a single person.  The Brahmana, when angry destroyeth whole cities and kingdoms!  Therefore, O timid one, do I deem a Brahmana as more to be avoided than either.  I cannot hence wed thee, O amiable one, unless thy father bestoweth thee on me.  Devayani then said, ’Thou art, indeed, chosen by me.  And, O king, it is understood that thou wilt accept me if my father bestoweth me on thee.  Thou needst not fear to accept my poor self bestowed on thee.  Thou dost not, indeed, ask for me.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’After this, Devayani quickly sent a maidservant to her father.  The maid represented to Sukra everything as it had happened.  And as soon as he had heard all, Bhargava came and saw Yayati.  And beholding Bhargava come, Yayati worshipped and adored that Brahmana, and stood with joined palms in expectation of his commands.’

“And Devayani then said, ’This O father, is the son of Nahusha.  He took hold of my hand, when I was in distress.  I bow to thee.  Bestow me upon him.  I shall not wed any other person in the world.’  Sukra exclaimed, ’O thou of splendid courage, thou hast, indeed, been accepted as her lord by this my dear daughter.  I bestow her on thee.  Therefore, O son of Nahusha, accept her as thy wife.’

“Yayati then said, ’I solicit the boon, O Brahmana, that by so doing, the sin of begetting a half-breed might not touch me.’  Sukra, however, assured him by saying, ’I shall absolve thee from the sin.  Ask thou the boon that thou desirest.  Fear not to wed her.  I grant thee absolution.  Maintain virtuously thy wife—­the slender-waisted Devayani.  Transports of happiness be thine in her company.  This other maiden, Vrishaparvan’s daughter, Sarmishtha should ever be regarded by thee.  But thou shall not summon her to thy bed.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’Thus addressed by Sukra, Yayati then walked round the Brahmana.  And the king then went through the auspicious ceremony of marriage according to the rites of the scriptures.  And having received from Sukra this rich treasure of the excellent Devayani with Sarmishtha and those two thousand maidens, and duly honoured also by Sukra himself and the Asuras, the best of monarchs, then, commanded by the high-souled Bhargava, returned to his capital with a joyous heart.’”