Yayati, the noble king, found himself caught in a difficult situation between his two wives, Devayani and Sharmishtha. Devayani, the daughter of the wise Kavi Ushanas, was upset by Yayati’s actions and confronted him. She reminded him that, as his wife and a Brahmin lady, she deserved his honor and respect, but she insisted that the royal sage himself was even more worthy of respect. She pointed out that both she and Sharmishtha had been given to Yayati by her own father, his teacher, and thus it was right for Yayati to honor and support his wives, just as they supported him. Hearing these words, Devayani, feeling wounded, said to Yayati, “Enjoy yourself here as you wish, together with Sharmishtha.” But her pain was deep, and she declared that she would not remain there any longer, for Yayati had done what displeased her. Devayani’s anger burned within her. She turned her dark, angry gaze upon Sharmishtha, who stood nearby, ashamed. Devayani, her eyes flashing, cast aside all her ornaments. Then, with tears welling up, she rose suddenly and hurried away, heading toward her father, Kavi Ushanas, greatly distressed. Yayati, anxious and troubled, followed after her, trying to console her, but Devayani would not look back. Her eyes, red with anger and brimming with tears, she said nothing to Yayati and pressed on until she reached her father’s presence. Upon seeing her father, Devayani bowed before him. Yayati, too, honored the great sage, a descendant of Bhargava. Then, standing before her father, Devayani cried out in anguish: “Righteousness has been defeated by unrighteousness; unrighteousness prevails! I have been wronged by Sharmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparvan. She has borne three sons to this king, Yayati, but I have only two, O father, unfortunate as I am. This king, renowned for his knowledge of righteousness, has transgressed its bounds, O Kavi, and I must tell you this.” Kavi Ushanas, hearing his daughter’s complaint, turned to Yayati and spoke sternly: “Great king, though you know righteousness, you have acted unrighteously out of desire. Therefore, before long, you shall be overtaken by invincible old age.” Yayati, seeking to defend himself, replied, “O venerable one, when Sharmishtha asked for her season with a pure heart, I acted righteously in granting her request. The learned in the Veda say that if a man does not grant a woman her season when she asks for it, he is called a destroyer of the embryo. And if a woman, impassioned and eligible, requests a man in private and he refuses her, the wise declare him to be a destroyer of the embryo in the matter of righteousness. My vow is to grant whatever anyone asks of me, and you yourself gave her to me. She desires no other protector. Considering all this, O best of Bhṛgus, and fearing unrighteousness, I approached Sharmishtha, thinking it was the right thing to do. Please forgive me for this act.” He continued, “I acted with your will in mind, for I am dependent on you, O king. In matters of righteousness, false conduct is considered theft, O descendant of Nahusha.” But Kavi Ushanas, angered by the situation, pronounced a curse upon Yayati. Instantly, Yayati’s youthful vigor left him, and he was overtaken by old age. Distressed, Yayati pleaded with the sage: “O best of Bhṛgus, I am not yet satisfied with youth in Devayani. Please grant me your favor, O Brāhmaṇa, so that this old age may not afflict me.” Kavi Ushanas replied, “I do not speak falsely: old age has overtaken you, O king. But, if you wish, you may transfer this old age to another.” Yayati then said, “O Brāhmaṇa, let the son who gives me his youth be granted the kingdom, merit, and fame, with your approval.” The sage agreed: “You may transfer your old age as you wish, O son of Nahusha. Do so without hesitation, and you will not incur sin. The son who gives you his youth will become king, long-lived, renowned, and blessed with many children.” Afflicted by old age, Yayati returned to his city and called upon his eldest and most distinguished son, Yadu. He said, “Old age has overtaken me, dear son, and gray hairs have covered my head. By the curse of Kāvya Ushanas, I am not yet satisfied with youth. Yadu, take upon yourself my sin along with my old age, so that I may enjoy the pleasures of youth through you. After a thousand full years, I will return your youth to you and take back my old age.” But Yadu replied, “There are many faults in old age, arising from eating and drinking. Therefore, O king, I do not wish to accept your old age. With a white beard, joyless, weakened by age, wrinkled and thin, unable to perform his duties, scorned by the young and those around him—a man in old age is hard to look upon. I do not desire that state. You have many sons, O king, dearer to you than I am. Choose another to accept your old age.” Yayati, disappointed, said, “Since you are born from my heart yet do not give me your youth, O unworthy of the kingdom, your offspring shall be yours alone.” Rejected by Yadu, Yayati turned to his next son, Turvasu, and asked, “Turvasu, accept the affliction of old age; let me, with your youth, enjoy the pleasures of the senses. When a thousand years are complete, I will return your youth, and again take upon myself the burden of old age.” But Turvasu, too, refused, saying, “I do not desire old age, father, which destroys the enjoyment of desires, brings an end to strength and beauty, and destroys intellect and life.” Yayati, saddened, declared, “Since you are born from my heart yet do not give me your youth, Turvasu, your lineage shall come to an end. You shall be king among those of mixed and reversed conduct and dharma, among flesh-eaters and the lowest, among those attached to their teacher’s wives, among those born in animal wombs, among those of animal nature, among sinners and mlecchas.” Thus, the king’s plea for youth and the consequences of his sons’ refusals unfolded, shaped by the power of righteousness, the weight of curses, and the workings of fate.