O King, in ancient times, Nahusha’s son Yayati ruled his subjects with righteousness for many years. Eventually, however, the dreadful force of old age—destroyer of beauty—overtook him. Overcome by its effects, Yayati gathered his sons—Yadu, Puru, Turvasu, Druhyu, and Anu—and spoke to them. He confessed, “Though old age has claimed me, I long to enjoy the pleasures of youth, to delight in desires alongside young women. My sons, help me fulfill this wish.” His eldest son by Devayani replied, “Father, what use is youth to you or to us now?” Yayati explained, “If one of you accepts my old age, I will take your youth and enjoy the pleasures of the senses. Due to the curse of the sage Usanas and my long sacrifices, my desires have been diminished, and so I am afflicted. Let one of you rule the kingdom with my aged body, while I, with a youthful form, fulfill my desires.” Yet none of his sons agreed to take his old age. Then Puru, the youngest and steadfast in his word, stepped forward. “O King,” he said, “roam freely with a new and youthful body, enjoying youth as you wish. I will accept your old age and remain in the kingdom by your command.” Thus addressed, Yayati, the royal sage, used the power of his austerity to transfer his old age to his great-souled son, Puru. Yayati, now endowed with Puru’s youth, reveled in the vigor of youthfulness, while Puru, bearing Yayati’s age, governed the kingdom. For a thousand years, Yayati, unconquered and a tiger among kings, remained vigorous, enjoying life with his wives and once again with the celestial nymph Vishvachi in the Chaitraratha forest. Yet, despite all his pleasures, Yayati found no satisfaction in his desires. Realizing this, he recited a verse: “Desire is never quenched by enjoying desired objects; like fire fed with clarified butter, it only grows stronger. All the rice, barley, gold, cattle, and women on earth are not enough for one person; knowing this, one should seek contentment.” He continued, “When one does not commit sin toward any being—by deed, mind, or speech—one attains Brahman. When a person neither fears nor causes fear in others, and neither desires nor hates, then one attains Brahman.” Reflecting deeply on the insignificance of desires, the wise king steadied his mind with understanding and accepted old age back from his son. At the end of a thousand years, Yayati returned youth to Puru and installed him as king. Though still unsatisfied in desires, he spoke to Puru: “Through you, I have an heir; you are the perpetuator of my line. The lineage will be known in the world as the Paurava line because of you.” Having installed Puru as king, Yayati performed virtuous deeds and practiced great austerity on the Bhṛgu mountain. After a long time, as ordained by the law of time, Yayati departed this world. Having performed the rite of fasting with his wife, he attained heaven. Janamejaya, eager to know more, asked, “Yayati, our ancestor, the tenth son of Prajāpati—how did he obtain the exceedingly rare daughter of Śukra? Tell me in detail, O sage rich in austerity, and also recount the separate progenitors of the king’s lineage.” The sage replied, “Yayati was a radiant king, as glorious as the lord of the gods. Śukra and Vṛṣaparvan gave him their daughter, Devayānī, as before. Now, O Janamejaya, I shall fully recount the union of Devayānī and Yayati, son of Nahusha. A great conflict arose between the gods and the asuras throughout the three worlds, both moving and unmoving, for the sake of sovereignty. Seeking victory, the gods chose the sage Aṅgiras as their priest for sacrifices, while the asuras chose Kāvya Uśanas. These two brāhmaṇas, ever rivals, competed intensely, and the gods defeated the assembled dānavas in battle. Yet Kāvya, relying on his profound knowledge, revived the dānavas. Rising again, they fought the gods anew. The asuras, in turn, slew the gods on the battlefield, but Bṛhaspati, wise of mind, did not revive them. He lacked the science that mighty Kāvya knew—the art of reviving the dead—so the gods fell into despair. In fear, the gods approached Kaca, the eldest son of Bṛhaspati, and pleaded, “Support us, who seek your aid; grant us your utmost help. That knowledge resides in the brāhmaṇa of immeasurable brilliance. Bring that knowledge swiftly from Śukra; you shall receive a share of the offerings. Near Vṛṣaparvan, O brāhmaṇa, you can find him. He protects the dānavas, but not the non-dānavas. You alone, being young, are able to win over the sage. And his beloved daughter Devayānī—you alone can win her favor; no one else can. By virtue, generosity, sweetness, proper conduct, and self-control—if you please Devayānī, you will surely obtain that knowledge.” Kaca replied, “So be it.” Honored by the gods, he departed for the abode of Vṛṣaparvan, determined to fulfill their wish.