After cursing Turvasu, King Yayati turned to his son Druhyu, born of Sharmishtha, and spoke with hope and urgency. “Druhyu,” he said, “accept upon yourself the burden of old age, which steals away color and form, for a thousand years. Give me your youth in exchange.” Yayati promised, “When a thousand years have passed, I will return your youth to you and again take back the affliction of old age.” He lamented, “An old man cannot enjoy elephants, chariots, horses, or women; his speech falters. Such old age I do not desire.” But Druhyu refused, and Yayati, disappointed, declared, “Though you are born from my heart, since you will not give me your youth, your cherished desires shall never be fulfilled.” Yayati then foretold Druhyu’s fate: “In your land, there will be no horses among the foremost chariots, nor elephants with seats, nor donkeys. There will be no goats, cows, or palanquins; always people will cross by boats and rafts.” Turning next to his son Anu, Yayati said, “You, Anu, accept the affliction of old age for a thousand years, that I may live with your youth.” He described the misery of old age: “An old man, like a child, eats food at the wrong time and in an impure way, neglects the sacred fire. Such old age I do not desire.” When Anu too refused, Yayati pronounced, “Since you, born from my heart, do not give me your youth and have spoken of the faults of old age, you shall receive it. Your offspring, though youthful, will perish before you, and you, neglecting the sacred fire, will meet the same fate.” Having been rejected by Turvasu, Druhyu, and Anu, and having cursed them in turn, Yayati went to his youngest son, Puru, to test his worthiness. He addressed Puru warmly, “You are my beloved son; you shall become greater. Old age, wrinkles, and gray hairs surround me, my child. Because of the curse of Kavi, son of Ushanas, I am not satisfied with youth. Take upon yourself this sin along with old age, so that I may enjoy pleasures for a time according to my desire. When a thousand years are complete, I will return youth to you and take back my own sin and old age.” Puru, earnest and dutiful, replied, “Whatever you command, O great king, I will do. The words of a guru are sacred, bring heaven, and grant long life; by the guru’s favor, even Indra ruled the three worlds. By obtaining the guru’s consent, one attains all desires. For as long as you wish, I will bear your old age. I will take upon myself your sin and old age, O king; receive youth from me and enjoy pleasures as you desire. Covered by old age, I will assume your form and age; having given you youth, I will live as you wish.” Yayati, deeply pleased, blessed Puru: “Since I am pleased with you, I grant this boon—your progeny will flourish in the kingdom, endowed with every desire.” With these words, the great ascetic Yayati, remembering Kavi, transferred his old age to the noble Puru. Thus, Yayati, son of Nahusha, now possessing the youth of Puru, became a handsome and youthful prince. Filled with delight, he enjoyed beloved pleasures. With enthusiasm and happiness, at the right time and without violating dharma, Yayati enjoyed life as was fitting. He satisfied the gods with sacrifices, honored his ancestors with offerings, gave gifts to the poor, and rewarded the best of the twice-born. He welcomed guests with food and drink, protected his people, showed compassion to the lowly, and restrained wrongdoers. Yayati ruled his subjects with righteousness, winning their affection, like Indra himself. Lion-like in valor, young and master of his realm, he moved freely within the bounds of righteousness, enjoying supreme happiness without opposition. Having attained every auspicious desire, Yayati was both satisfied and weary. He remembered the destined end of his thousand years and, knowing the reckoning of time, counted the moments and hours as they passed. He enjoyed himself with Vishvachi, shone in the Nandana grove, and spent time in Alaka and on the northern peak of Meru. When the righteous king saw that his time was fulfilled, he spoke to Puru: “O subduer of foes, I have enjoyed pleasures as I wished, with all my energy, and at the proper time, through your youth. Desire is never quenched by enjoyment; like a fire fed with clarified butter, it only grows. All the rice, barley, gold, cattle, and women on earth are not enough for even one man; therefore, one should abandon craving. That craving, hard to abandon by the foolish, which does not age even as the body ages, is the fatal disease—happiness comes to one who gives it up. For a thousand years, my mind was attached to pleasures, yet every day my craving only increased. Therefore, giving this up, I will set my mind on Brahman, become free from duality and possessiveness, and live with the deer.” Yayati blessed Puru: “I am pleased with you—may good befall you! Take my youth and this kingdom; enjoy youth as long as you wish, and rule with long life, for you are my beloved son.” Then King Yayati, son of Nahusha, accepted old age once more, and Puru, self-controlled, took back his own youth, ready to rule as king.