Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 28
Yayāti, Devayānī, Śarmiṣṭhā, and the Exchange of Youth: The Unsatisfied Nature of Desire
तथेत्यवस्थिते प्राह देवयानी मनोगतम् । पित्रा दत्ता यतो यास्ये सानुगा यातु मामनु ॥ २८ ॥
tathety avasthite prāha devayānī manogatam pitrā dattā yato yāsye sānugā yātu mām anu
Al oír la petición de Śukrācārya, Vṛṣaparvā aceptó diciendo: “Así sea”, y aguardó las palabras de Devayānī. Entonces Devayānī expresó su deseo: “Cuando mi padre me entregue en matrimonio, que mi amiga Śarmiṣṭhā venga conmigo como sirvienta, junto con sus compañeras.”
FAQs
It states that Devayānī, having been given in marriage by her father, asks that Śarmiṣṭhā (with her attendants) should follow her wherever she goes—indicating a condition tied to her marital arrangement.
Within the narrative, Devayānī expresses her personal wish to have Śarmiṣṭhā remain subordinate and accompany her, reflecting the social tensions and prior conflict between them.
It highlights how unresolved pride and rivalry can shape relationships and conditions; a modern takeaway is to seek reconciliation and fairness rather than letting past conflict dictate future arrangements.