Devayani

Yayati found Devayani in a dry well while he was searching for deer. He had come to the well thirsty, and his horses were tired. There was no water in it, only a maiden among creepers and grass. He asked who she was, why she was distressed, and how she had fallen there. Devayani told him she was Shukra’s daughter. Her father did not know what had become of her. She offered Yayati her right hand. At a later meeting, she would say that he had grasped it while she was in trouble.

Devayani told Yayati that she had chosen him. She sent word to her father, and Shukra came to meet the king. Yayati paid him homage with joined palms and waited. Devayani named Yayati as the man who had grasped her hand. She asked Shukra to give her to him and said she would accept no other husband. Shukra called Yayati brave, gave his consent, and told him to accept Devayani as his queen. Yayati hesitated over marrying Shukra’s daughter. Devayani answered that no other man had touched her hand, and she accepted Yayati as her husband.