Queen Śarmiṣṭhā, observing the deep affection the boys showed toward the king and discerning the truth of the situation, addressed them with measured words. She asked, “Though you are subject to me, why did you act in a way I would not approve? You have followed the ways of demons—do you not fear the consequences?” To this, Devayānī replied with calm dignity, “What the sage foretold is true, O lovely-smiling Śarmiṣṭhā. Acting with righteousness and justice, I have nothing to fear from you. When you chose the king, I too chose him, for by the law of righteousness, the husband of a friend becomes one’s own husband, O beautiful one. You are worthy of honor and respect from me, being foremost among brāhmaṇīs and eldest; but the royal sage, the king, is even more to be revered by me than you—do you not know this?” Hearing these words, Devayānī turned to King Yayāti and said, “O King, I will not remain here today; you have wronged me.” Her eyes dark with tears, she rose suddenly and, distressed, set out quickly for her father’s home. Seeing her thus, the king became agitated and followed behind, trying to soothe her. Yet Devayānī, her eyes red with anger, did not look back or respond to his pleas. Silently, with tears streaming, she journeyed onward and soon arrived at the presence of her father, the sage Kāvya Uśanas. Upon seeing her father, Devayānī respectfully greeted him and stood before him. King Yayāti, too, paid due honor to the great Bhārgava. Then Devayānī spoke, her voice trembling with emotion: “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; and as for me, your unfortunate daughter, O father, I will tell you of my two sons. This king, renowned as a knower of righteousness, O best of Bhṛgus, has transgressed the bounds. Kāvya, I tell you this.” Kāvya Uśanas then addressed Yayāti, saying, “You are known as one who understands righteousness, O great king, but you have acted for pleasure in a way that is unrighteous. Therefore, very soon, 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, so say the speakers of Brahman. But if, when approached in private by a woman desiring her season, a man does not go to her lawfully, he is called a slayer of Brahman by the wise.” Yayāti, hearing this, replied, “Considering these reasons, O best of Bhṛgus, and fearing 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.” Yet, enraged, Uśanas cursed Yayāti. Instantly, Yayāti’s youthful vigor left him, and he was overtaken by old age. Stricken with wrinkles and weakness, Yayāti pleaded, “O best of Bhṛgus, unsatisfied with youth, I ask your favor for the sake of Devayānī—let not this old age overtake me.” Uśanas answered, “I do not speak falsely. You have received old age, O king, but if you wish, you may transfer it 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 assented, “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, burdened with old age, Yayāti returned to his city. He summoned his eldest and most illustrious son, Yadu, and spoke: “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 will again accept sin and old age.” Yadu replied, “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. You have many sons, O king, dearer to you than I am; choose another son, O knower of dharma, to accept old age.” Yayāti warned him, “If you, born from my heart, do not give me your youth, then, because of this maternal connection, your offspring will be wicked.” Turning to his next son, he said, “Turvasu, you accept sin together with old age; with your youth, my son, I will enjoy the pleasures of the senses. But when a thousand years are complete, I will return your youth, and in the same way, I will again accept sin and old age.” Turvasu replied, “I do not desire old age, father, which destroys enjoyment of pleasures, brings an end to strength and beauty, and ruins intelligence.” Yayāti declared, “If you, born from my heart, do not give me your youth, then, Turvasu, your lineage will come to an end. You will surely become king among people who are mixed in conduct, who act contrary to dharma, and who eat flesh. You will rule among those attached to their teachers’ wives, engaged in animal births, behaving like beasts, among outcasts and the wicked.” Thus, having cursed Turvasu, his own son, Yayāti then spoke to Druhyu, the eldest son of Śarmiṣṭhā: “Druhyu, you accept old age, which destroys color and form, for a thousand years; give me your youth.