Urvashi, once a master of the graceful gestures taught by Bharata, was overcome by anger and the pain of separation. In her anguish, she forgot all that she had learned, and Bharata, wounded by her neglect, uttered a curse upon her on earth. He decreed that for fifty-five years, Urvashi would become a slender creeper, while Pururavas, her beloved, would endure the existence of a ghost in that place. When the period of Bharata’s curse ended, Urvashi returned to her husband and lived with him for a long time. She bore a son to the descendant of Budha, and in time, she gave birth to eight sons, each blessed with divine strength and energy. Their names were Ayu, Dirghayu, Ashvayu, Dhanayu, Dhrtiman, Vasu, Shucividya, and Shatayu. From Ayu, the lineage continued, and Nahusha had two sons: Vriddhasharma and Raji. Alongside them were Dambha and Vipapma, making five mighty warriors. Raji himself fathered a hundred sons, all renowned as royal heirs. Raji, seeking spiritual merit, worshipped the sinless Narayana with intense austerity. Pleased by his devotion, Vishnu granted him boons, and Raji became victorious over gods, asuras, and men alike. Thereafter, a great battle raged between the gods and asuras for three hundred years. In this fierce conflict between Prahlada and Shakra, neither side could claim victory. When the gods and asuras sought guidance, the four-faced god, Brahma, declared, “Where Raji is, who could be victorious between these two?” Both sides requested Raji to become their ally. The Daityas said, “If you become our lord, let what has been accepted by the Asuras be accepted by the Devas as well.” They pleaded, “Be our lord in battle and destroy our enemies.” With Raji’s leadership, all those who had been invincible even to Indra’s thunderbolt were slain. Indra, grateful for Raji’s actions, accepted him as a son, and Raji, bestowing the kingdom upon Indra, withdrew to practice austerities. However, Raji’s sons, endowed with the power of asceticism, forcibly seized Indra’s splendor, his share of the sacrifice, and his kingdom. Deprived and oppressed, Indra was miserable and approached Brihaspati, saying, “I have neither the share of the sacrifice nor the kingdom, and I have been defeated. Strive for me, O lord of wisdom, so that I may regain my kingdom.” Brihaspati performed rites to pacify hostile influences and nourish Indra, making him proud and strong once more. Then, adopting the doctrine of the Jinas—outside the Vedas though learned in them—Brihaspati deluded Raji’s sons, causing them to abandon the three Vedas and embrace disputatious reasoning. Recognizing them as outside the Vedas, Indra struck down all those excluded from dharma with his thunderbolt. Now, let me tell you of Nahusha’s seven righteous sons: Yati, Yayati, Samyati, Udbhava, Puru, Sharyati, and Meghajati. These seven increased the lineage. Yati became a yogi and dwelt in the forest even in his youth, while Yayati, devoted to righteousness, ruled the kingdom. Yayati married Sharmishtha, daughter of Vrishaparvan, and Devayani, the virtuous daughter of the Bhargava. Yayati had five heirs. Devayani bore him Yadu and Turvasu, while Sharmishtha bore Druhyu, Anu, and Puru. Among these, Yadu and Puru became the enhancers of the lineage. Yayati, son of Nahusha, was a king of true valor, protecting the earth and performing sacrifices according to the rules. With great devotion, he worshipped the ancestors and gods, and Yayati, unconquered, subdued all his subjects. For many ages, Yayati protected his people with righteousness, but eventually, he was afflicted by the terrible old age that destroys beauty. In his distress, he addressed his sons—Yadu, Puru, Turvasu, Druhyu, and Anu—saying, “Desiring to indulge in pleasures with young women, I wish to enjoy youth. My sons, grant me your assistance.” Yadu, the eldest, replied, “What need have we to assist you with our youth?” Yayati implored his sons, “Take my old age upon yourselves, so that with your youth I may pursue pleasures. Through long sacrifices and the curse of the sage Ushanas, my desire has been diminished; I am unsatisfied, my sons. Let one of you restrain this old age with your own body, so that I, with a renewed form, may attain pleasures as a youth.” Yet none of them, beginning with Yadu, accepted his old age, and Yayati cursed those four. Then Puru, the youngest and steadfast in truth, spoke, “Do not give me old age; let me be happy with youth and a new body. I will take your old age and remain in the kingdom by your command.” Relying on the power of asceticism, Yayati transferred his old age to his noble son Puru, and Yayati assumed youth through Puru’s vigor. With Puru’s youth, Yayati ruled the kingdom, remaining undefeated for a thousand years. Yet, still unsatisfied in desire, he addressed his son Puru, saying, “Through you I have obtained an heir; you are the maker of my lineage, my son.