After a lighthearted exchange and laughter between Bhārgavī and the others, Bhārgavī, who understood the truth of the matter, returned to her own dwelling. In the days that followed, King Yayāti fathered two sons with Devayānī: Yadu and Turvasu, both remarkable in their qualities, likened to Indra and Viṣṇu themselves. Meanwhile, Śarmiṣṭhā, the daughter of Vṛṣaparvan, gave birth to three sons—Druhyu, Anu, and Pūru—to the royal sage Yayāti. Some time later, Devayānī, radiant and smiling, went with Yayāti into a lush green forest. There, she noticed some boys of divine appearance playing freely. Astonished by their beauty, which so closely resembled Yayāti’s own, she turned to the king and asked, “Whose children are these, O King? They look like sons of the gods, splendid in form and radiance, and they resemble you so much.” Not satisfied, Devayānī questioned the boys themselves: “What are your names and lineages? Is your father a brāhmaṇa, children? Tell me the truth as it is; I wish to hear it.” Guided by a local woman, the boys revealed the king to her. They said simply, “Śarmiṣṭhā is our mother.” Then, together with Yayāti, they approached the king. However, Yayāti did not welcome them in Devayānī’s presence. The boys, hurt and weeping, went to Śarmiṣṭhā. Seeing their affection for the king and understanding the truth of the situation, Queen Śarmiṣṭhā spoke to Devayānī: “Though you hold authority over me, why did you act in a way that displeased me? You have followed the conduct of demons—do you not fear?” Śarmiṣṭhā continued, “What the sage said is true, O lovely-smiling one. Acting justly and righteously, I do not fear you. When the king was chosen by you, he was also chosen by me; for by righteousness, the husband of a friend becomes one’s own husband, O beautiful one. You, foremost and eldest among brāhmaṇīs, are to be honored and respected by me; but the royal sage is more to be revered by me than you—do you not know this?” Upon hearing these words, Devayānī was deeply wounded. She said to Yayāti, “O King, I will not stay here today; you have done me wrong.” With dark, tearful eyes, she rose suddenly and, distressed, set out for her father’s home. Yayāti, agitated, followed her, trying to calm her, but Devayānī would not turn back, her eyes red with anger. She said nothing to the king as she made her way to the presence of her father, Kāvya Uśanas. Upon seeing her father, Devayānī offered her respects and stood before him, while Yayāti also honored the sage Bhārgava. Devayānī spoke: “Righteousness has been overcome by unrighteousness, and wrongdoing has increased; Śarmiṣṭhā, daughter of Vṛṣaparvan, has acted as an ascetic. Three sons have been born to her by King Yayāti; of my unfortunate daughter, O father, I will tell you of two sons. This king, renowned as one who knows righteousness, O best of Bhṛgus, has transgressed the bounds; Kāvya, I tell you this.” Kāvya Uśanas, hearing these words, said to Yayāti, “You are known as one who knows righteousness, O great king, yet you have done what is pleasing but unrighteous; therefore, soon, the unconquerable old age will seize you. A man who, though asked, does not grant a woman her season, is called a slayer of the embryo, O Brāhmaṇa, and so say the speakers of Brahman here. But if a man, when approached in private by a woman desiring her season, does not go to her lawfully, he is called a slayer of Brahman by the wise.” Yayāti replied, “Considering these reasons, O best of Bhṛgus, and fearful of unrighteousness, I approached Śarmiṣṭhā. But I did not act on your behalf; you are not under my control, O king. In matters of false conduct, theft does not occur, O son of Nahusha.” But Uśanas, angered, cursed Yayāti. Immediately, Yayāti’s youth left him, and he was overtaken by old age. Distressed, Yayāti pleaded, “Unsatisfied with youth, O best of Bhṛgus, in Devayānī, grant me your favor, O Brāhmaṇa, that this old age may not enter me.” Uśanas replied, “I do not speak falsely in this; you have obtained old age, O king. If you wish, you may transfer this old age to another.” Yayāti asked, “He who would give me his youth, O Brāhmaṇa, shall enjoy the kingdom, merit, and fame; let that son of mine be approved by you.” Uśanas consented, “You may transfer old age as you wish, O son of Nahusha; do so truthfully, and you will not incur sin. The son who gives you his youth will become king, long-lived, renowned, and blessed with many children.” Thus, Yayāti, now aged, returned to his city and spoke to his eldest and most distinguished son, Yadu. “Old age and wrinkles, O son, and gray hairs have come upon me because of the curse of Kāvya Uśanas, and I am not yet satisfied with youth. You, Yadu, accept old age along with sin; with your youth, I will enjoy the pleasures of the senses. But when a thousand years are complete, I will return your youth to you, and I will again accept sin together with old age.” He explained further, “One who is gray-haired and bearded, miserable, weakened by old age, with limbs marked by wrinkles, hard to look at, feeble, and thin—unable to perform duties, despised even in youth by those who live with him—such old age I do not desire.