In ancient times, the supremely righteous Yati, belonging to the noble lineage, took as his wife Gā, the daughter of Kakutstha. Yet, Yati, yearning for liberation, renounced worldly life and became a sage, united with Brahman, leaving behind all attachments. Among his five sons, Yayati distinguished himself by conquering the earth. Yayati married Devayani, the daughter of Ushanas, and also took Sharmishtha, the Asura maiden and daughter of Vrishaparvan, as his consort. Through Devayani, Sharmishtha bore Yayati two sons, Yadu and Turvasu. Sharmishtha herself gave birth to Druhyu, Anu, and Puru for Yayati. Pleased with Yayati, Indra bestowed upon him a radiant chariot, adorned with golden ornaments and drawn by swift, celestial white horses. With this divine chariot, Yayati accomplished many tasks. With that foremost chariot, Yayati, invincible in battle, conquered the earth, the gods, and the Danavas within six nights. This illustrious chariot was later inherited by all the Kauravas, beginning with Janamejaya, the son of Samvartavasu. Eventually, the chariot came into the possession of King Parikshit, son of Kuru, but it perished due to the curse of the wise sage Garga. King Janamejaya, in time, committed the grievous act of slaying Garga’s child, thus incurring the sin of Brahmin-slaying. Marked by the smell of iron as a sign of his guilt, the royal sage wandered restlessly, abandoned by his citizens and countrymen, never finding peace. Tormented by suffering and unable to find solace, he sought refuge with the foremost Brahmin, Shaunaka. The wise Shaunaka guided Janamejaya to perform an Ashvamedha sacrifice for his purification. After the ritual bath, the iron smell vanished, and the king’s divine chariot came under the control of the lord of Chedi. Indra, pleased, granted the chariot to Brihadratha, who in turn passed it to King Barhadratha. When Bhima, the delight of the Kauravas, slew Jarasandha, he affectionately gave the excellent chariot to Vasudeva. Having conquered the earth with its seven continents and oceans, Yayati divided his kingdom into five parts among his sons. He appointed his eldest son Yadu over the eastern region, and in the center, he anointed Puru as king. Turvasu was established in the southeastern direction. Through these sons, the entire earth with its continents and cities was governed. Even today, people are protected according to the regions allotted to them, upheld by righteousness. As Yayati grew old, he laid down his bow and arrows and, accompanied by five heroic men, entrusted his responsibilities to his kinsmen. Setting aside his weapons, the undefeated king wandered the land, content in his heart. When dividing the earth, Yayati approached Yadu and said, “Take my old age upon yourself, my son, in exchange for another deed. With your youthful form, I would roam this earth, having placed my old age upon you.” Yadu replied, “A request has already been promised by me to a Brahmin. Without fulfilling that, O king, I will not accept your old age. There are many faults in old age, caused by eating and drinking; therefore, O king, I am not able to accept your old age. You have many sons, dearer to you than I; choose another son, O knower of dharma, to accept it.” Hearing this, Yayati, filled with anger, reproached Yadu: “What other ashram do you have, or what other dharma is prescribed, that you disregard me, O foolish one, when I am your teacher?” Thus, in his anger, Yayati cursed Yadu, saying, “You shall be without sovereignty over your people, O fool; there is no doubt.” Likewise, he spoke to Druhyu, Turvasu, and Anu, for they too rejected their father’s request. Greatly enraged, Yayati cursed all four of his elder sons. Finally, Yayati turned to his youngest son, Puru, and said, “If you approve, I would travel this earth in your youthful form, having placed old age upon you.” The mighty Puru accepted his father’s old age, and Yayati, taking Puru’s youth, roamed the earth freely. Seeking the end of desires, Yayati enjoyed himself with Vishvachi in the Chaitraratha forest. When he was finally satisfied with pleasures and enjoyments, he returned his old age to Puru. There, Yayati sang verses teaching the withdrawal of desires, just as a tortoise draws in its limbs. He proclaimed: “Desire is never quenched by enjoyment of objects; like fire fed with ghee, it only grows stronger. All the rice, barley, gold, cattle, and women on earth are not enough for one man who has not mastered himself. When one does no evil in thought, word, or deed toward any being, then one attains Brahman.” Thus, the story of Yayati’s lineage, his conquests, his chariot, his sons, and his wisdom unfolded, teaching the eternal truths of self-mastery and dharma.