A group of sages and virtuous kings stood together, gazing skyward in awe and wonder. Suddenly, from the darkness of the storm clouds, a radiant young man descended, his form and brilliance rivaling Vasava himself. He shone with his own light, like fire blazing forth, and fell from the heavens with the majesty of the sun breaking through clouds. All who witnessed his descent were bewildered, for his radiance was immeasurable, like fire and the sun, and they could not fathom what was falling from the celestial path. As he landed and stood among them, his splendor was equal to Indra, the sun, and Vishnu. Drawn by his divine aura, the assembled sages approached him, eager to learn the truth of his arrival. Yet, none dared to speak first, nor did the radiant stranger ask who they were. Finally, one among them addressed him: “O one of desirable form, whose are you, or for what reason have you come?” He continued, reassuring the newcomer, “Let your fear depart, abandon sorrow and confusion at once, O one of Indra-like splendor. Even Indra himself could not endure your presence among the virtuous. The righteous are always a refuge for those deprived of happiness, just as the king of the immortals is among the good. Whether stationary or moving, you are established among your equals, among the virtuous. Agni is sovereign in burning, the earth in sustaining, the sun in shining, and among the virtuous, the guest is sovereign.” The radiant stranger then revealed his identity: “I am Yayati, son of Nahusha and father of Puru. I have been cast down from the world of gods, siddhas, and sages, fallen because I disrespected all beings, my merit exhausted. I am now descending to earth.” Yayati explained further, “I am older than you in age, so I do not offer you my salutation, for among the twice-born, one is honored who is elder by knowledge, austerity, or birth.” The king replied, “You have spoken well, for he who is advanced in age is called superior. Yet among the twice-born, only he who is advanced in knowledge and austerity is truly worthy of honor.” Yayati continued, “Acting against righteousness is sinful; such conduct leads to evil realms. The good do not follow the ways of the wicked, but act as is proper for the virtuous. Once I had great wealth, now it is gone; though I strive, I cannot regain it. One who is steadfast in seeking his own good and acts accordingly truly understands life. He who performs great sacrifices with abundant wealth, whose mind is disciplined in all branches of knowledge, who studies the Vedas and dedicates his body to austerity, that man, free from delusion, attains heaven.” He reflected, “Thinking that destiny is powerful, one should act with understanding. Whether happiness or sorrow, a creature experiences it by fate, not by his own power; therefore, considering destiny to be strong, one should neither grieve nor rejoice excessively. Let one not be tormented by sorrow nor exult in happiness; the wise should always remain even-minded, thinking that destiny is powerful. O Ashtaka, I am never bewildered by fear, nor do I suffer any mental distress; as the Creator has ordained for me in this world, so surely shall I become.” Yayati explained the cycle of life: “Those born from sweat, eggs, sprouts, reptiles, worms, and fish, as well as stones, grass, and wood—all return to their own nature when their allotted time ends. Knowing the impermanence of happiness and suffering, O Ashtaka, why should I be distressed? What should I do, or not do, that would cause me pain? Therefore, I avoid sorrow, remaining attentive.” As Yayati spoke thus, Ashtaka questioned him again: “Grandfather, endowed with all virtues, as you dwell there in heaven, tell me as it truly is. Tell me of all those worlds, chief among earthly rulers, which you enjoyed, and for how long; speak of them all as they are, for you explain dharma like one who knows the field.” Yayati replied, “I was once a universal monarch here, and then I conquered great worlds; there I dwelt for a thousand years, and after that, I attained a higher world. Then I dwelt in the delightful city of Indra, with a thousand gates and a hundred yojanas in extent, for a thousand years, and after that, I attained a higher world. Then, attaining the divine, ageless world of the Lord of Creatures, difficult to reach even for the ruler of the worlds, I dwelt there for a thousand years, and after that, I attained a higher world. There, in the abode of the god of gods, I enjoyed myself freely among the worlds as I wished, being honored by all the gods, my splendor and power equal to that of the lords of the gods. In the same way, in Nandana, able to assume any form at will, I spent a hundred thousand years, delighting with the Apsarases, beholding fragrant, blossoming, and beautiful trees.” He continued, “While I remained there, attached to pleasures, after a very long time had passed, a fierce messenger of the gods spoke loudly to me, shouting three times in a thunderous voice: ‘Fall!’ This much I know, O lion among kings: then, fallen from Nandana, my merit exhausted, I heard the compassionate voices of the gods in the sky, lamenting for me. Alas, how terrible! Yayati, whose deeds and fame were righteous, now falls, his merit spent. As I was falling, I said: ‘How can I, among the virtuous, fall down in their midst?’ They told me of your sacrificial ground, and seeing it, I quickly came here. Perceiving the fragrance of the offerings, the smoke rising from the altar, I arrived with certainty.” Ashtaka then asked, “When you dwelled in Nandana, able to assume any form, for a hundred thousand years, what was the reason, O foremost of the Kṛta age, that you abandoned heaven and came to earth? Just as here, when wealth is lost, a man is abandoned by relatives, friends, and his own people, so there, when merit is exhausted, the hosts of gods, along with their lord, immediately abandon a man. How does one become depleted of merit there? My mind is greatly confused about this. Who attains which realm, and by what distinction? Tell me this, for you are wise in these matters.” Yayati answered, “All those who fall into this earthly hell are tormented, seeking food from crows, jackals, and dogs. When merit is exhausted, they wander in many forms. Therefore, such wicked and blameworthy deeds in the world must be avoided. All this has been told to you; if you wish to hear more, tell me what I should say.” Ashtaka asked, “When birds, vultures, crows, and insects attack them, how does this happen, and how do they come to be so? I have not heard of any other hell on earth.” Yayati explained, “After death, as the effects of karma unfold, they wander visibly upon the earth. They fall into this earthly hell and do not escape it for countless years. Sixty thousand fall through the sky, and for eighty years they wander. As they fall, they are pierced by fearsome earthly demons with sharp fangs.” Ashtaka pressed further, “By what means do those fearsome earthly demons with sharp fangs torment the fallen? How does this happen, and what is their state? How do they become embodied as embryos?” Yayati answered, “Blood, semen, and substances mixed with flowers and fruits—this is what pursues them, created by a man. It enters the woman’s womb, and thus he becomes an embryo there.” Thus, Yayati, once king and dweller among the gods, revealed the mysteries of merit, destiny, and the cycle of birth, teaching the assembled sages about the impermanence of fortune and the workings of karma, as he himself journeyed from the heights of heaven to the earth below.