When the time of the curse had passed, the mighty-armed king slew the demon Kṣemakara and restored the delightful city of Vārāṇasī to its former glory. In the noble lineage, Saṃnati had a virtuous heir named Sunītha, and Sunītha’s own son was Kṣema, renowned for his great splendor. The line continued: Kṣema’s son was Ketumān, whose son was Suketu; from Suketu was born Dharmaketu. Dharmaketu’s heir was Satyaketu, a valiant chariot-warrior, and Satyaketu’s son was Vibhu, lord of the people. Vibhu’s son was Ānarta, and from Ānarta came Sukumāra. Sukumāra’s son was the righteous Dhṛṣṭaketu, whose own son was Veṇuhotra, lord among men. Veṇuhotra’s son was Bhārga, also a lord of the people. The land of Vatsa became known as Vatsabhumi, and Bhargava’s land as Bhargabhumi; these were the sons of Angiras, born in this illustrious lineage, as was Bhargava himself. From this line descended Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas—three kinds of sons, in thousands—all considered descendants of Kashyapa. Now listen to the story of Nahusha. From Viraja, daughter of the ancestors, were born the mighty sons of Nahusha—six in all, whose radiance rivaled even that of Indra. Their names were Yati, Yayati, Samyati, Ayati, and Parshvaka, with Yati as the eldest and Yayati following him. The supremely righteous Yati took as his wife Gā, daughter of Kakutstha, but, embracing the path of liberation, Yati renounced worldly life and became a sage, united with Brahman. Of the five brothers, Yayati, after conquering the earth, took Devayani, daughter of Ushanas, as his wife. Sharmishtha, the Asura maiden and daughter of Vrishaparvan, bore to Yayati through Devayani two sons: Yadu and Turvasu. Sharmishtha herself bore Druhyu, Anu, and Puru to Yayati. Pleased with him, Indra bestowed upon Yayati a radiant chariot, adorned with gold and yoked to swift, celestial white horses—a divine gift by which Yayati accomplished many great deeds. With this foremost of chariots, Yayati, invincible in battle, conquered the earth, the gods, and the Danavas in just six nights. This celebrated chariot was later inherited by all the Kauravas, beginning with Janamejaya, son of Samvartavasu. Eventually, it belonged to King Parikshit, son of Kuru, but the chariot perished as a result of a curse pronounced by the wise sage Garga. The origin of this curse lay in King Janamejaya’s slaying of Garga’s child, for which he incurred the terrible sin of Brahmin-slaying. Marked by the smell of iron, Janamejaya wandered the earth, abandoned by his people and bereft of peace. Tormented by suffering and unable to find solace, he sought refuge with the wise Brahmin Shaunaka. Shaunaka, full of compassion, guided Janamejaya to perform an Ashvamedha sacrifice, purifying the king from his sin. After the sacred ritual bath, the iron smell vanished, and the king’s divine chariot passed to the lord of Chedi. Indra, pleased, granted the chariot to Brihadratha, and from him it passed to King Barhadratha. In time, Bhima, having slain Jarasandha, gave the splendid chariot to Vasudeva out of affection. Yayati, having conquered the earth with its seven continents and oceans, divided his kingdom into five parts among his sons. He appointed his eldest, Yadu, in the eastern direction, and in the center, he installed Puru as king. In the southeast, Turvasu was established. By these sons, the entire earth with its continents and cities was governed. Even today, people dwell in these lands, protected by righteousness according to the regions allotted by Yayati. When the weight of age pressed upon him, Yayati laid aside his bow and arrows and, accompanied by five heroic men, entrusted the responsibilities of the kingdom to his kinsmen. Setting aside his weapons, the undefeated king wandered the land, content in his renunciation. Desiring to continue enjoying the pleasures of youth, Yayati asked Yadu to accept his old age in exchange for another boon, so that he himself might roam the earth in youthful vigor. But Yadu replied that he had already promised a request to a Brahmin and could not accept his father’s old age without fulfilling that vow. He explained that old age brings many faults, caused by eating and drinking, and that he was unable to accept it. Yadu further said, “You have many sons, O king, dearer to you than I; choose another to bear your old age.” Hearing this, Yayati became angry and rebuked his son: “What other ashram or dharma do you have, that you disregard me, your father and teacher?” In his anger, Yayati cursed Yadu: “You shall have no sovereignty over your people, O fool; there is no doubt.” He spoke likewise to Druhyu, Turvasu, and Anu, for they too refused his request. Thus did the story of Yayati and his sons unfold, with the destinies of kingdoms and lineages shaped by their actions and choices.