When King Yayāti resolved to anoint his youngest son, Puru, as the heir to his throne, the Brahmanas and people of all orders gathered and voiced their concern. They said, “O lord, how is it that you pass over Yadu, your eldest son—born of Devayani and grandson of Shukra—and instead choose Puru to inherit the kingdom? Yadu was born first, then Turvasu after him; from Sharmishtha came Druhyu, then Anu, and finally Puru. How can the youngest deserve the kingdom, passing over his elder brothers? We ask you to consider this—uphold righteousness.” Yayāti addressed the assembly of Brahmanas, elders, and citizens, saying, “Let all the orders, with the Brahmanas at their head, listen to my words: the kingdom must never, under any circumstance, be given simply to the eldest son. My eldest, Yadu, did not obey my command; a son who acts contrary to his father is not regarded as a true son by the virtuous. A true son is one who follows the words of his mother and father, who is devoted and acts for their welfare. Such a one truly behaves as a son should toward his parents. “‘Puti’ is the name of hell, a place of suffering. To be protected from such a fate, people desire a son in this world and the next. A son who resembles himself, who honors his father, the gods, and the sages, and who is a source of many virtues—he alone is called the eldest son. A mute, blind, deaf, or leprous son, one who does not follow his own duty, a thief, or a sinful son—even if he is the eldest—is not considered the true heir. A virtuous son who possesses qualities, who brings honor in this world and the next, who takes the share of the eldest—he alone is truly a son. The knowers of dharma declare this as the law concerning sons for the sake of the ancestors. “The Veda declares that the son is born from myself, from my heart; all that is born from him is myself—thus says the scripture. I was disrespected by Yadu, and likewise by Turvasu, Druhyu, and Anu; they all greatly dishonored me. But Puru obeyed my command and honored me especially. Though he is the youngest, he is my heir, the one who supports my old age. My wish was fulfilled by Puru, who acted as a friend, and by the boon granted by Shukra, the sage Usanas himself. “The son who follows his father is the king, the lord of the earth; among sons, the obedient one is the true son and inherits the share. A son endowed with virtues, who always acts for the good of his mother and father—even if he is the youngest and most excellent—deserves all prosperity. This has been declared by sages in the Vedas and in the treatises on dharma and artha. Puru is worthy of this kingdom, for he has acted kindly toward me; no answer can be given against the boon granted by Shukra.” The citizens and countrymen, satisfied with these words, saw the righteousness in Yayāti’s decision. Thus, King Yayāti consecrated his own son Puru as king over his realm. As for Yadu, Turvasu, Druhyu, and Anu with their younger brothers, King Yayāti assigned them to the outer regions of his domain. Having given the kingdom to Puru, the king undertook the vow of forest life. He departed from the city, accompanied by Brahmanas and ascetics. Together with his wives, Devayani and Sharmishtha, Yayāti performed supreme austerities in the forest. From Yadu sprang the Yadavas; from Turvasu, the Yavanas; from Druhyu, the Bhojas; and from Anu, the tribes known as Mlecchas. From Puru arose the Paurava lineage, O king, from which you yourself were born. It is said that this dynasty ruled the kingdom for thousands of years. Thus, King Yayāti, son of Nahusha, joyfully installed his chosen son on the throne and, entering the forest, became an ascetic sage. There, he dwelt with the Brahmanas, observing strict vows, eating only fruits and roots, and exercising self-control. In time, Yayāti departed this world and ascended to heaven. Having reached the celestial realms, Yayāti lived there joyfully and happily, but after not a very long time, he was cast down by Śakra, the king of the gods. Falling from heaven, yet not reaching earth, Yayāti remained suspended in the sky—such is what has been heard. From that state, it is said, he again attained heaven, together with King Vasumat and the valiant Ashtaka. He assembled with Pratardana and Śivi in the heavenly assembly. By what deed did that king again reach heaven? This is a tale worthy to be heard in full, in the presence of the assembly of sages. King Yayāti, equal to the lord of the gods, was the enhancer of the Kuru lineage, shining with the radiance of fire. His deeds, vast in fame and true in renown—both in heaven and on earth—are to be recounted, for they bring merit and destroy all sins. Thus, King Yayāti, son of Nahusha, joyfully installed his youngest son Puru on the throne and then departed to the forest. Having entrusted his elder sons to Puru’s care, the king lived for a long time in the forest, subsisting on fruits and roots. With self restrained and anger conquered, he satisfied the ancestors and gods, offering oblations to the fires according to the rule of forest-dwelling ascetics. He honored guests with offerings from the forest, adopting the gleaner’s way of life, eating only what remained after others.