All beings, it is said, reach perfection through action alone—indeed, action permeates all existence, and nothing exists apart from it. Whether one studies sacred knowledge, performs sacrifices, practices yoga, or worships Lord Śiva, all these are forms of action. In truth, there is no living creature untouched by action. Thus, action alone is the true cause of all attainment; any other belief is the folly of the deluded. Where wise sages gather and converse, there too resides the great god Maheśvara, Śiva himself. It was Śiva who made the final pronouncement: all that people achieve comes through action, especially when Mārkaṇḍa is made central—hence, the place is known as Mārkaṇḍa. This sacred site, teeming with sages, lies on the northern bank of the holy Ganges. It is a place of purification, sanctified for the ancestors, and brings holiness even to those who simply remember it. There, O dear one, the Lord of the Universe declared that there are ninety-eight sacred places, as confirmed in the Vedas and agreed upon by the sages. Now, let me guide you to another holy site, where Śiva dwells as Kālañjara, the remover of all sins. Listen to its story. Once there was Yayāti, son of Nahusha, a king as mighty as Indra himself. He had two wives, each graced with noble lineage. The elder was Devayānī, auspicious daughter of the sage Śukra; the younger was Śarmiṣṭhā, daughter of Vṛṣaparvan. By Śukra’s favor, Devayānī—though born a Brāhmaṇa—became Yayāti’s wife. Śarmiṣṭhā, too, became his wife. Devayānī bore Yayāti two sons: Yadu and Turvasu, both radiant as the sons of the gods. From Śarmiṣṭhā, three sons were born, each shining with the brilliance of Indra, Agni, and Varuṇa. Yayāti and Devayānī also had Druhyu, Anu, and Pūru, all resembling Śukra in form. But a shadow fell on Devayānī’s heart. Distressed, she spoke to her father Śukra, the best of the Bhṛgus: “Father, though I am unfortunate and have only two children, my servant is blessed with three. This fills me with sorrow, and I feel wronged by Yayāti. For the noble-minded, death is preferable to dishonor.” Hearing his daughter’s lament, the mighty Śukra’s anger flared. He swiftly approached Yayāti and declared, “You have wronged my daughter, O king, driven by desire for beauty. Therefore, you shall become old.” He warned, “One tormented by desire is unable to enjoy or renounce; longing fills his mind, and his understanding is lost. Old age is death itself for the living. Go now, and accept this old age—it is most difficult to bear.” Stricken by the curse, Yayāti, hands folded in reverence, replied, “I have not acted unrighteously, nor in anger. Only the wicked deserve punishment. Why have you cursed me, O best of Brāhmaṇas? Devayānī speaks falsely against me. Even the wise can be misled by anger into punishing the innocent. How much more, then, the ignorant, whose minds are consumed by hatred?” Śukra, hearing Yayāti’s words, recalled all the wrongs his daughter had suffered, day and night, and his anger slowly subsided. He said, “I am no longer angry. By her actions, I now understand the wrong that was done. I do not speak untruth. My curse remains, but hear my favor: to whichever son you wish, you may transfer this old age. Let it be so, by my boon.” Yayāti bowed and asked, “Let any son who accepts this old age from me become king, O preceptor of the Daityas. And if any refuses, let me, with your permission, curse him.” “Let it be so,” Śukra agreed. Yayāti then summoned his sons and said first to his eldest, “Yadu, take my old age upon yourself. You are wise and mature, chief among my sons. A true son obeys his father’s command.” But Yadu refused, and Yayāti cursed him. He then turned to Turvasu, but Turvasu too would not accept the old age, and was likewise cursed. Druhyu and Anu also refused and were cursed in turn. Finally, Yayāti spoke to Pūru. Pūru, with devotion and obedience, gladly accepted his father’s old age. For a thousand years, while his father’s heart was content, Pūru enjoyed the vigor and pleasures of youth. Yayāti, satisfied at last, enjoyed all the happiness he desired. Fulfilled and content, he called Pūru to him and said with joy, “I am now satisfied in all enjoyments, O sinless one, through your youth. Take back your youth, my son, and return to me my old age, now tainted and spent.” Thus, through the actions and choices of each, the destinies of Yayāti and his sons were shaped, and the power of action—karma—was once again affirmed as the root of all attainment.