Devayani, the radiant daughter of Kavya—the wise Shukra, revered teacher of all the worlds—stood before King Yayati. She reminded him of her lineage, saying, “O blessed one, you know I am the daughter of Kavya, the preceptor of gods and asuras alike. Therefore, I am filled with fear today, and it would not be proper for us to act rashly.” She continued, “If, O ruler of men, you do not wish to accept me as I have requested, then my father will decide my fate. He will choose you for me, and in that way you shall have me. But for now, go.” Yayati, having taken leave of the beautiful and gentle Devayani, returned to his city. Left alone, Devayani, flawless and sorrowful, wandered away. She found herself leaning against a tree, weeping silently. Her absence lingered, and her father, Shukra, the Bhargava, overcome with worry and affection, called for her nurse. “Nurse, quickly bring back my daughter Devayani, who has gone out,” he urged. Hearing his command, the nurse hurried out, searching for Devayani step by step, anxious to find her. At last, she found Devayani standing, exhausted and distressed, tears streaming down her face. “What has happened, dear child?” the nurse asked gently. “Come, tell me quickly—your father is calling for you.” Devayani poured out her grief, telling the nurse how Sharmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparvan, had wronged her. Tormented by sorrow, she asked her, “Go quickly, Ghurnika, and inform my father at once.” Ghurnika, the nurse, hastened to the mansion of the great asura Shukra. Her mind troubled, she approached him and said, “O wise one, Devayani has been harmed in the forest—by Sharmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparvan.” Hearing that his beloved daughter had been harmed by Sharmishtha, Shukra was filled with sorrow and hurried into the forest to find her. When he saw Devayani, he embraced her tightly with both arms, his heart aching. He spoke to her with gentle wisdom: “All beings experience happiness and sorrow through their own deeds, my child. I think some misdeed of yours has brought this suffering upon you.” Devayani recounted the harsh words Sharmishtha had spoken: “Father, what Sharmishtha said to me is true—she called me the singer among the Daityas. With eyes red from anger, she spoke sharp words to me, though I always praised her, begged for her favor, and accepted her as a friend. Yet, even when I praised and gave, I was not accepted. Time and again, filled with pride and wrath, Sharmishtha scorned me. She subdued me in the lonely forest, threw me into a well, and left me there before returning home. She said, ‘You are not the daughter who praises, nor do you accept when begged; you are the daughter of Devayani, not one who is praised.’” Devayani continued, “Vrishaparvan himself knows this, as do Shakra and King Nahusha: your power is divine, father, beyond thought and undivided. You know the science of life, by which even the dead are revived. Yet, a virtuous person, after boasting, feels remorse; so you do not speak of your greatness, though I know your strength.” Shukra consoled her, “Let us return home, my child. Forgive, O bright-eyed one, for forgiveness is the essence of the good. Whatever exists, on earth or in heaven, I am lord of it, as proclaimed by the self-born, pleased with me. I release water for the welfare of all beings, nourishing every plant—this is the truth. So, when you are overcome by despair and anger, let my gentle words soothe you.” He continued, teaching her the value of forgiveness and self-control: “Devayani, know this: the one who endures harsh words conquers all. The wise call only that person a charioteer who restrains the anger that has arisen—not one who merely holds the reins. He who dispels anger with non-anger, he truly conquers all. The one who casts off anger through forgiveness, as a serpent sheds its worn-out skin, is truly a man. He who restrains wrath, endures harsh words, and does not burn with affliction is a vessel of prosperity.” Shukra reminded her, “Even one who performs sacrifices month after month for a hundred years is not greater than one who is free from anger and friendly to all. Therefore, the one without anger is best; desire and anger are to be condemned. For the angry, gifts, sacrifices, and austerities bear no fruit. Where anger is absent, the fruits of sacrifice, austerity, and charity are truly great. Neither ascetics, nor the austere, nor sacrificers, nor the righteous—if they fall under the sway of anger, neither world is theirs. Son, servant, friend, brother, wife, righteousness, and truthfulness—all these depart from one who is given to anger. When boys and girls, lacking sense, make enmity, the wise should not imitate them, for they do not understand strength or weakness.” Thus, the wise Shukra comforted his daughter Devayani, teaching her the path of forgiveness and restraint, guiding her back from anger to the way of virtue and peace.