तेषां मध्ये तु पञ्चानां ययातिः पृथिवीपतिः
Among those five, Yayāti became the lord of the earth.
शर्मिष्ठामासुरीं चैव तनयां वृषपर्वणः
He also took Śarmiṣṭhā, the daughter of Vṛṣaparvan, who was of Asura birth.
द्रुह्युं चानुं च पूरुं च शर्मिष्ठा वार्षपर्वणी
Śarmiṣṭhā, daughter of Vṛṣaparvan, bore Druhyu, Anu, and Pūru.
रथं तस्मै ददौ शक्रः प्रीतः परमभास्वरम्
To him, Indra, pleased, gave a most radiant chariot.
युक्तं मनोजवैरश्वैर्येन कन्यां समुद्वहत्
It was yoked with horses swift as the mind, by which he carried away the maiden.
ययातिर्युधि दुर्द्धर्षो देवदानवमानवैः
Yayāti, invincible in battle, was unconquered by gods, Dānavas, and men.
यावत्सुदेशप्रभवः कौरवो जनमेजयः
As far as Sudeśa, Janamejaya of the Kaurava line was born.
जगाम सरथो नाशं शापाद्गार्ग्यस्य धीमतः
He, with his chariot, met destruction because of the curse of the wise Gārgya.
दुर्बुद्धिर्हिंसया मास लोहगन्धी नराधिपः
That king, of wicked mind and violent deeds, bore the smell of iron.
पौरजानपदैस्त्यक्तो न लेभे शर्म कर्हिचित्
Abandoned by his citizens and countrymen, he never found happiness.
स प्रायाच्छौनकमृषिं शरणं व्यथितस्तदा
Then, distressed, he sought refuge with the sage Śaunaka.
योजयामास चैन्द्रोतः शौनको जनमेजयम्
And Śaunaka united Janamejaya with the Indrota ritual.
स लोहगन्धो व्यनशत्त स्यावभृथमेत्य ह
That iron-smelling substance disappeared, having reached the place of the concluding bath.
दत्तः शक्रेन तुष्टेन लेभे तस्माद्बृहद्रथः
Given by Indra, who was pleased, Bṛhadratha obtained it from him.
प्रददौ वासुदेवाय प्रीत्या कौरवनन्दनः
Out of affection, the delight of the Kauravas gave it to Vāsudeva.
पुत्रं श्रेष्टं वरिष्ठं च यदुमित्यब्रवीद्वचः
He declared, 'This son, the best and most excellent, is called Yadu.'
काव्यस्योशनसः शापान्न च तृप्तो ऽस्मि यौवने
Because of the curse of Kāvya Uśanas, I am not satisfied in my youth.
जरां मे प्रतिगृह्णीष्व तं यदुः प्रत्युवाच ह
'Accept my old age,' he said; and Yadu replied to him.
सा तु व्यायामसाध्या वै न ग्रहीष्यामि ते जराम्
'That old age, which can only be acquired through exertion, I will not accept from you.'
तस्माज्जरां न ते राजन्ग्रहीतुमहमुत्सहे
'Therefore, O king, I am not able to accept your old age.'
वलीसंततगात्रश्च निराशो दुर्बलाकृतिः
With a body marked by deep wrinkles, hopeless, and of weak appearance,
सहोपवीतिभिश्चैव तां जरां नाभिकामये
Even together with those who wear the sacred thread, I do not desire that old age.
प्रतिगृह्णन्तु धर्मज्ञ पुत्रमन्यं वृणीष्व वै
'Let those who know righteousness accept it; choose another son.'
उवाच वदतां श्रेष्टो ज्येष्ठं तं गर्हयन्सुतम्
The best among speakers spoke, reproaching that eldest son.
मामनादृत्य दुर्बुद्धे यदहं तव देशिकः
'O foolish one, disregarding me, though I am your teacher—'
यस्त्वं मे त्दृदयाज्जातो वयः स्वं न प्रयच्छसि
'You, who were born from my heart, do not give me your youth.'
तुर्वसो प्रतिपद्यस्व पाप्मानं जरया सह
'Let Turvasu accept the sin together with old age.'
जरायां बहवो दोषाः पानभोजन कारिताः
There are many faults in old age, caused by drinking and eating.
यस्त्वं मे त्दृदयाज्जातो वयः स्वं न प्रयच्छसि
'You, who were born from my heart, do not give me your youth.'
संकीर्णेषु च धर्मेण प्रतिलोमनरेषु च
Among those of mixed castes and among men of contrary lineage, through unrighteousness—