Among the renowned sons of Nahusha, six were born, each celebrated for their own virtues. Of these, Yati was the eldest, followed by Yayati. Yati, seeking liberation above all, renounced worldly life and became one with Brahman. Yayati, among the remaining five, distinguished himself by his great strength and valor. In time, Yayati wed Devayani, the daughter of Ushanas, and also Sharmishtha, the Asura princess and daughter of Vrishaparvan. Devayani bore Yayati two sons—Yadu and Turvasu—both praised for their virtuous deeds and wisdom. Sharmishtha bore him three sons: Druhyu, Anu, and Puru. Yayati’s father-in-law, the illustrious Shukra, bestowed upon him a splendid gift—a radiant, golden chariot, divine in its make, inexhaustible, and yoked to horses as swift as thought itself. With this marvelous chariot, Yayati, carrying his bride, traversed the earth and, within six months, conquered its expanse. In battle, he was invincible—none among gods, demons, or men could defeat him. He was steadfast in righteousness, devoted to Bhava, pure in soul, and upright in conduct. Yayati performed great sacrifices, subdued his anger, and showed compassion to all beings. Among the descendants of Yayati, the Kaurava Bhavadratha stood out as the foremost. The kings of Puru’s line ruled from Yayati through King Parikshit and down to the eminent Janamejaya. Yet, the divine chariot’s fate turned when the wise sage Garga, whose young son was slain by Janamejaya, cursed it, and it was destroyed. Janamejaya, burdened by the sin of Brahminicide for harming Akrura and killing Garga’s son, wandered the land, tormented by sorrow and shunned by his people. Peace eluded him everywhere he went. In his distress, he sought refuge with the sage Shaunaka, also known as Indreti, a noble-minded and famed ascetic. Moved by Janamejaya’s plight, Indreti guided him to perform an ashvamedha sacrifice with the foremost Brahmins. Through this sacred rite, Janamejaya was freed from the taint of iron and his sins. In the midst of the concluding ritual bath, he ascended a resplendent, divine chariot, his purity restored. From this lineage, Vasu, king of the Cedis, was once cast out, but later, by Indra’s favor, Brihadratha obtained the kingdom. In time, Bhima slew Jarasandha and, out of affection, gifted the excellent chariot to Vasudeva, O joy of the Kurus! As for Yayati, the mighty descendant of Nahusha, he anointed his youngest son, Puru, as king—thus repaying the best of Brahmins, as Puru had served him faithfully. When the time came to crown Puru, the Brahmins, led by their chief, raised a question: “How can the grandson of Shukra, the son of Devayani, be chosen above the eldest, Yadu? Should the youngest be given the kingdom?” They urged Yayati to uphold righteousness. To this, Yayati addressed all the Brahmins: “Let all listen to my words. In my case, the kingdom must not be given to the eldest. My firstborn, Yadu, disobeyed my command and is not regarded as a true son by the virtuous. Only the son who honors his parents’ words, who acts as a son should, is worthy of praise. Yadu, Turvasu, Druhyu, and Anu all disregarded me. But Puru fulfilled my wishes and honored me, supporting me in my old age. Thus, though he is the youngest, he is my heir. Shukra himself instructed me, and for Devayani’s sake, I took on old age, which was later transferred to another by Puru’s deed. Shukra granted a boon: ‘That son of yours who follows you shall inherit the kingdom.’ Therefore, let the virtuous son, devoted to his parents, be crowned king—even if he is the youngest. Puru is worthy, as he alone obeyed my command. By Shukra’s boon, it cannot be otherwise.” Thus, with the people’s approval, Yayati anointed Puru as king. He assigned Turvasu to the southeast, Yadu to the south, and Druhyu and Anu to the west and north, respectively. Having conquered the earth with its continents and oceans, Yayati divided the realm among his sons, entrusting the burden of kingship to them and finding contentment in his heart. Long ago, King Yayati spoke verses of wisdom, teaching that desires, like a tortoise drawing in its limbs, must be reined in. Not by endless action does one attain fulfillment; desire is never quenched by its enjoyment. Like fire fed by offerings, it only grows. No matter how much rice, barley, gold, cattle, or women one acquires, it is never enough. True peace comes only when one ceases to harbor ill will toward any being, realizing that contentment lies not in possessions, but in mastering desire itself.