Yayāti, Devayānī, Śarmiṣṭhā, and the Exchange of Youth: The Unsatisfied Nature of Desire
शर्मिष्ठाजानती वासो गुरुपुत्र्या: समव्ययत् । स्वीयं मत्वा प्रकुपिता देवयानीदमब्रवीत् ॥ १० ॥
śarmiṣṭhājānatī vāso guru-putryāḥ samavyayat svīyaṁ matvā prakupitā devayānīdam abravīt
Śarmiṣṭhā zog, ohne es zu wissen, das Gewand Devayānīs, der Tochter des Lehrers, an, weil sie es für ihr eigenes hielt. Darüber erzürnte Devayānī und sprach wie folgt.
This verse shows how mistaking something as “mine” can trigger anger and conflict—Devayānī becomes enraged simply by believing the garment was her own.
Śarmiṣṭhā unknowingly wore Devayānī’s garment; Devayānī, thinking her property had been taken, became furious and confronted her.
Verify facts before reacting—many quarrels begin from misunderstanding and possessiveness; pausing to clarify can prevent unnecessary harm.