Let me recount to you the story of the lineage of Yayati, son of Nahusha, as preserved in the sacred tradition. Seven sons—Yati, Yayati, Samyati, Udbhava, Puru, Sharyati, and Meghajati—were born, and through them, the family line flourished and grew. Of these, Yati, even in his youth, chose the path of renunciation, becoming a yogi and withdrawing to the forest. Yayati, on the other hand, was steadfast in righteousness and ruled his kingdom with virtue. Yayati’s wives were Sharmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparvan, and Devayani, the virtuous daughter of the Bhargava sage, Shukra. Yayati had five sons, whose names are told thus: Devayani bore him Yadu and Turvasu; Sharmishtha bore Druhyu, Anu, and Puru. Among these, Yadu and Puru became the chief enhancers of the lineage. Yayati, the valorous son of Nahusha, was a mighty king. He protected the earth, performed sacrifices according to proper rites, and worshipped both ancestors and gods with great devotion. Unconquered, he subdued all his subjects and governed his people with righteousness for many ages. Yet, as time passed, Yayati was afflicted by the terrible onset of old age, which diminishes beauty and vigor. Troubled by age, Yayati addressed his sons—Yadu, Puru, Turvasu, Druhyu, and Anu—saying, “Desiring to enjoy pleasures with young women, I wish to experience youth again. My sons, grant me your assistance.” Yadu, his eldest, replied, “What need have we to assist you with our youth?” Yayati pleaded, “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 remains unsatisfied. Let one of you restrain this old age with your own body, so that I, with renewed form, may enjoy the pleasures of youth.” None of the sons, beginning with Yadu, agreed to accept their father’s old age. Yayati, disappointed, cursed those four sons. 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.” But he further declared, “I will take your old age and remain in the kingdom by your command.” Trusting in the power of asceticism, Yayati transferred his old age to his noble son Puru, and, through Puru’s vigor, Yayati regained youth. With renewed youth, Yayati ruled the kingdom for a thousand years, remaining undefeated. Yet, even after all that time, his desires were not satisfied. He addressed Puru, saying, “Through you, I have obtained an heir; you are the maker of my lineage, my son. The lineage of Puru will attain fame in the world.” Yayati then consecrated Puru as king. After a long time, Yayati reached his destined end. Now listen, O best of sages, to the lineage of Puru, from whom the Bharatas were born—those who enhanced the Bharata line. A question arises: Why did the lineage of Puru attain supremacy on earth, while the lineage of Yadu, though eldest, declined in prosperity? O Suta, narrate in detail another account of Yayati’s deeds, which are virtuous, life-giving, and praised even by the gods. This very question was once posed by Shatanika to Shaunaka: the great account of Yayati, virtuous, pure, and life-giving. Yayati, the eldest among us, was the tenth descendant of Prajapati. How did he obtain the exceedingly rare daughter of Shukra? O possessor of austerity, recount to me, in order, the kings who held the lineage of Pururavas. Yayati was a royal sage, his splendor equal to the king of the gods. In former times, Shukra and Vrishaparvan gave him their daughters, as it happened. Now, as you ask, O best of kings, I shall tell you of Yayati, son of Nahusha, and his union with Devayani. There arose a mutual conflict between the gods and the asuras throughout the three worlds, among all beings, moving and unmoving, for the sake of sovereignty. Desiring victory, the gods chose the sage of the Angiras lineage as their priest for sacrifice, while the asuras chose Kāvya Ushanas. Those two Brahmanas, constantly and fiercely rivaling each other, were present there. In that battle, the gods slew the assembled Danavas. But Kāvya, relying on the power of his knowledge, revived them again. Rising up once more, the Danavas fought the gods. But when the asuras killed the gods in the midst of battle, Brihaspati, of noble mind, did not revive them. He did not possess the knowledge that the mighty Kāvya knew—the science of revival. Therefore, the gods fell into deep despair. Distressed by fear of Kāvya Ushanas, the gods approached Kaca, the eldest son of Brihaspati, and spoke to him: “Join with us, support us, and render the highest assistance. That knowledge resides in the Brahmana of immeasurable brilliance. Quickly obtain it from Shukra. You shall receive a share of the offerings. That Brahmana dwells near Vrishaparvan; you, O twice-born, are able to see him. He protects the Danavas there, but does not protect the non-Danavas. No one but you is able to propitiate him. Devayani, the beloved daughter of that great soul, is there. No one but you is able to win her favor.” Thus, the story unfolds, revealing the roots of Yayati’s lineage and the intricate interplay of virtue, desire, and destiny among gods and men.