Story of King Yayati

 Srimad Bhagavatam - The Story of  King Yayati

Who is Yayati? Why did King Yayati, a kshatriya, marry Devayani, a brahmin?

Yayati is the son of Nahusha and the great-grandson of Pururava. Yati, Yayati, Samyati, Ayati, Viyati, and krti were the sons of Nahusha. 

Nahusha was asked to take over the lordship of heaven left void by Indra. Due to the improper behavior with Sachi, wife of Indra, and for disrespecting Sage Agastya, Nahusa was cursed to become a python and had to fall on earth.

Yati, the eldest son of Nahusa, declined kingship as he opted for penance. Yayati, the second son, was made the king. Yayati appointed his four younger brothers as governors in four quarters and ruled the globe.

Devayani (daughter of Asura guru Shukracharya), Sarmistha (daughter of Vraparva, the Danava Chief), along with other girl companions were strolling in the city garden. They entered a pond, leaving behind their clothes and engaged in water sports. 

Mounted on a bull, Lord Shakara and Goddess Parvati were passing through the way. Devayani and others felt embarrassed and rushed to put on their clothes. Sarmistha unknowingly wore Devayani’s clothes. 

Devayani, being a brahmin and daughter of Guru Shukracharya, was furious and spoke harsh words on Sarmistha and her lineage. 

Sarmistha, too, spoke low of the priest profession and their dependence. She finally dragged Devayani and pushed her into a well after snatching her clothes.

King Yayati, who was wandering in search of the game, arrived there by chance. Feeling thirsty, he looked into the well. When he saw Devayani naked and helpless, he shared his clothes and rescued her.

Devayani felt grateful and requested Yayati to marry her. Yayati was not against it, but being a kshatriya, he felt it was improper to marry a brahmin girl. Devayani told him that she was barred from marrying a brahmin on account of kucha’s curse.  

Yayati thought this was preordained by fate and accepted the proposal. 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana