King Yayāti, descended from the noble line of Nahusha, had two wives. His first was Devayānī, the daughter of Śukra, the great preceptor of the Daityas; his second was Śarmiṣṭhā, the daughter of Vṛṣaparvan. To Devayānī, Yayāti was blessed with two sons—Yadu and Turvasu—both radiant and heroic, their virtues likened to those of the gods. Śarmiṣṭhā, too, bore him three sons, each shining with divine brilliance. From Yayāti and Devayānī were also born Druhyu, Anu, and Pūru, all possessing the noble form and qualities of their maternal grandfather, Śukra. Śarmiṣṭhā’s sons were said to shine with the splendor of Indra, Agni, and Varuṇa. Yet, despite this abundance, sorrow entered Devayānī’s heart. She approached her father, Śukra, weighed down by distress. “O best of the Bhṛgus,” she lamented, “though I am unfortunate and have only two children, my servant Śarmiṣṭhā, who is fortunate, has three. This thought brings me great anguish. I am undone by the wrong Yayāti has done me. For those of noble mind, death is preferable to dishonor.” Hearing his daughter’s words, the mighty Śukra was seized by anger. He went swiftly to Yayāti and addressed him sternly: “O king, because you have wronged my daughter, driven by infatuation with beauty, you shall be afflicted with old age. One tormented by desire cannot enjoy nor renounce; his mind is lost in longing and sighs. Old age is death for the living, even before life ends. Therefore, O king, accept this old age, most difficult to bear.” Yayāti, struck by this curse, folded his hands in reverence and replied, “O revered sage, I have not acted unrighteously, nor have I been angry or offensive. Only those who commit wrongs deserve punishment by the great-souled. How have I, who follow righteousness, deserved this curse? Devayānī speaks falsely against me. Even the learned may be overcome by anger and err in judgment—how much more so the ignorant, whose minds are clouded by hatred.” Śukra, reflecting on Yayāti’s words, recalled the many wrongs, both day and night, that his daughter had suffered. Calming himself, he said, “I am no longer angry. I know now, by her actions, the wrong that was done. I do not speak untruth. The curse shall stand, but listen, O king, to my favor: you may transfer this old age to whichever son you choose.” Yayāti, grateful for this concession, addressed Śukra, “Whoever among my sons accepts this old age from me with devotion, let him become king, O preceptor of the Daityas. If any son refuses, grant me permission to curse him, O teacher.” Śukra agreed, saying, “So be it.” Yayāti then summoned his eldest son, Yadu, and said, “Yadu, take upon yourself the old age that has come to me by curse. You are the eldest and wisest, chief among my sons. A son’s duty is to obey his father’s command.” But Yadu refused his father’s request. Yayāti, angered, cursed Yadu and then turned to Turvasu, asking the same of him. Turvasu too declined, and was likewise cursed. Yayāti then approached Druhyu, who also refused, and received a curse. Finally, he turned to Anu, who answered “No,” and was cursed as well. At last, Yayāti approached his youngest, Pūru, who gladly accepted the burden of old age from his father. For a thousand years, as long as his father wished, Pūru enjoyed all the pleasures of youth, while Yayāti, restored to youthful vigor, delighted in the enjoyments of the world. When Yayāti was finally sated and content, he called Pūru to him. “O sinless one,” he said, “I am satisfied with all enjoyments, thanks to your youth. Now, take back your youth, my son, and return to me my old age.” Pūru replied, “No, father. I am worn down by old age; the changes that come to embodied beings are hard to resist. Old age, when it comes in due time, must be endured by all. But if it is taken on for the sake of serving elders, how can it be abandoned? For embodied beings, death is preferable to the sin of accepting and then abandoning a burden. Or else, O king, I will destroy old age through austerity.” Having spoken thus, Pūru went to the supreme Ganga, to the southern bank of the Gautami river, and there performed great austerities. After a long time, Lord Shiva, adorned with virtues beyond the worlds, was pleased with Pūru and appeared before him, saying, “What shall I grant you?” Pūru replied, “O lord of gods, destroy the old age that came to me by my father’s curse. Also, free my brothers from the curses placed upon them in anger.” The lord of the universe replied, “So be it.” Shiva destroyed the old age born of the curse and freed Pūru’s brothers from their afflictions. From that time, that sacred place became known as the destroyer of old age and disease. Even by remembering it, premature old age and such afflictions are dispelled. It is renowned by many names: Kalanjara, Yayata, Nahusha, Paura, Shaukra, and Sharmishtha. There, too, are one hundred and eight sacred places, each bestowing every accomplishment to the wise.