With a heavy heart, Devayānī spoke to her father, recounting her sorrow: “Three sons have been born to me by King Yayati, but, O father, only two are truly mine, for I am most unfortunate.” She lamented further, “This king, renowned as a knower of righteousness, O descendant of Bhrigu, has still transgressed the bounds of dharma. O Kavi, I must tell you this.” She continued, “O great king, though you know the path of righteousness, you have acted otherwise, driven by desire. Therefore, before long, invincible old age will overpower you. O venerable one, when Sharmiṣṭhā, the daughter of the lord of the Dānavas, asked for her season with a single-minded heart, I acted righteously in granting her request. If a man does not grant a woman her season when she asks, O Brāhmaṇa, the wise, learned in the Veda, call him a destroyer of the embryo. And if a woman, impassioned and eligible, requests a man in private and he does not approach her, the wise likewise declare him a destroyer of the embryo in matters of righteousness.” Yayati then explained, “It is my vow that whatever anyone asks of me, I shall grant. She was given to me by you, and she desires no other protector. Considering these reasons, O best of Bhṛgus, and troubled by fear of unrighteousness, I approached Śarmiṣṭhā, thinking, ‘This is righteousness for me.’ O Brāhmaṇa, forgive me for this act. Surely, I acted after considering your will, for I am dependent on you, O king. In matters of righteousness, false conduct is said to be theft, O descendant of Nahusha.” But Uśanas, angered by these events, cursed Yayati. Instantly, the king, son of Nahusha, was overtaken by old age, losing his former youth. Yayati, now afflicted, pleaded, “O best of Bhṛgus, I am not yet satisfied with youth, even in the company of Devayānī. Grant me your favor, O Brāhmaṇa, so that this old age may not afflict me.” Uśanas replied, “I do not speak falsely: you have been overtaken by old age, O king. If you wish, you may transfer this old age to another.” Yayati then asked, “O Brāhmaṇa, he who would give me his youth—let that son be granted the kingdom, merit, and fame, with your approval.” Uśanas consented, “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; he will be long-lived, renowned, and have many children.” Thus afflicted by old age, Yayati returned to his own city. There, he summoned his eldest and most distinguished son, Yadu, and spoke, “Old age has overtaken me, dear son, and gray hairs have spread over me. By the curse of Kāvya Uśanas, 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 the senses with your youth. After a thousand full years, I will return your youth to you, having taken back my sin along with old age.” But Yadu replied, “There are many faults in old age, arising from eating and drinking. Therefore, O king, I have decided not to accept your old age. With white beard, joyless, loosened by age, limbs gathered with wrinkles, he is hard to look upon, weak, and thin. Unable to perform his duties, scorned by the young and those who live with him—I do not desire that old age. You have many sons, O king, dearer to you than I am; therefore, O knower of dharma, choose another to accept old age.” Yayati, disappointed, declared, “Since you are born from my heart yet do not give me your youth, therefore, O unworthy of the kingdom, your offspring shall be yours.” Rejected by Yadu, Yayati turned to his next son, Turvasu: “Turvasu, accept the affliction of old age; let me, with youth, enjoy your pleasures, my son. When a thousand years are complete, I will return your youth, and I will again take upon myself the affliction 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, angered, pronounced, “Since you are born from my heart yet do not give me your youth, therefore, Turvasu, your lineage shall come to an end. You shall be a king among those of mixed and reversed conduct and dharma, among flesh-eaters and the lowest, O deluded one. You will be among those attached to their teacher’s wives, among those born in animal wombs, among those of animal nature, among sinners and mlecchas.” Having cursed Turvasu, Yayati spoke to Druhyu, the son of Sharmishtha: “Druhyu, you accept old age, which destroys color and form, for a thousand years; give me your youth. When a thousand years are complete, I will return your youth, and I will again take upon myself the affliction of old age.” But Druhyu replied, “The old man enjoys neither elephant, nor chariot, nor horse, nor woman; his speech falters—such old age I do not desire.” Yayati then declared, “Since you are born from my heart yet do not give me your youth, therefore, Druhyu, your beloved desire shall never be fulfilled. Where there are no horses among the foremost of horse-chariots, nor elephants with seats, nor donkeys likewise—nor goats, nor cows, nor palanquins, where always there will be crossing by boats and rafts—there your descendants will dwell.” Finally, Yayati turned to his son Anu, “You, Anu, accept the affliction of old age; for one thousand years I will live with your youth.” But Anu, too, refused, saying, “Just as an old man, like a child, eats food at the wrong time and in an impure way, and does not offer the sacred fire at the proper time—such old age I do not desire.” Yayati replied, “Since you, born from my heart, do not give me your youth, and you have spoken of the fault of old age, therefore you shall receive it.” Thus, one by one, Yayati’s sons refused to accept their father’s old age, and each received a pronouncement from him according to their choice and conduct.