Righteousness had waned, and unrighteousness flourished; wrongdoing had grown widespread. In these troubled times, Śarmiṣṭhā, the daughter of Vṛṣaparvan, took up the life of an ascetic. By King Yayāti, she bore three sons. Now, O father, let me tell you of two of those sons, children of my unfortunate daughter. King Yayāti, famed for his knowledge of righteousness, had nonetheless crossed the bounds of propriety, O best of the Bhṛgus. Kāvya, I relate this to you: though you too are celebrated for your understanding of dharma, O great king, you have chosen what pleases you over what is right. Because of this, unconquerable old age will soon seize you. The wise declare that a man who, when asked, does not grant a woman her rightful season is called a slayer of the embryo, O Brāhmaṇa. Furthermore, if a woman, desiring her season, privately approaches a man and he does not lawfully go to her, the wise call him a slayer of Brahman itself. Considering these teachings, O best of the Bhṛgus, and fearing unrighteousness, I approached Śarmiṣṭhā. Yet, I did not act on your behalf; you are not under my control, O king. In matters of false conduct, there is no theft, O son of Nahusha. Then, angered, Uśanas cursed Yayāti, son of Nahusha. Instantly, Yayāti was stripped of his youth and overtaken by old age. Yet, unsatisfied with the pleasures of youth, Yayāti turned to Uśanas and pleaded, “O best of the Bhṛgus, grant me your favor, that this old age may not afflict me, especially for the sake of Devayānī.” Uśanas replied, “I do not speak falsely, O king. You have indeed received old age. But if you wish, you may transfer this old age to another.” Yayāti then said, “If someone gives me his youth, O Brāhmaṇa, he shall enjoy the kingdom, merit, and fame. Let that son of mine be approved by you.” Uśanas agreed, “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.” Having thus obtained old age, Yayāti returned to his city. He summoned his eldest and most distinguished son, Yadu, and spoke to him, “O son, old age, wrinkles, and gray hairs have come upon me because of the curse of Kāvya Uśanas, yet I am not satisfied with youth. Yadu, accept old age and its burden, and give me your youth that I may enjoy the pleasures of the senses. When a thousand years have passed, I will return your youth to you, and I will again accept old age and its sin.” But Yadu replied, “One who is gray-haired and bearded, miserable and weakened by age, whose body is wrinkled and limbs feeble, is despised even 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 to accept old age, O knower of dharma.” Yayāti warned, “If you, born from my heart, do not give me your youth, then, because of this maternal connection, your offspring will become wicked.” Turning to his next son, Yayāti said, “Turvasu, accept old age and its sin, and give me your youth that I may enjoy the pleasures of the senses. After a thousand years, I will return your youth and accept old age again.” Turvasu replied, “Father, I do not desire old age, which destroys enjoyment, strength, beauty, and intelligence.” Yayāti then declared, “If you will not give me your youth, Turvasu, your lineage will end. You will 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 base births, behaving like beasts, among outcasts and the wicked.” Having thus cursed Turvasu, Yayāti turned to Druhyu, the eldest son of Śarmiṣṭhā, and said, “Druhyu, accept old age, which destroys color and form, for a thousand years, and give me your youth. Afterward, I will return your youth and accept old age again.” Druhyu replied, “An old man enjoys neither kingdom, nor chariot, nor horse, nor woman. He feels no passion—such old age I do not desire.” Yayāti then said, “If you do not give me your youth, Druhyu, you will never obtain what you love or desire. You and your descendants will dwell where travel is always by boat over floods, and you will be known as those who do not enjoy sovereignty.” Next, Yayāti addressed Anu, “You, Anu, take upon yourself old age and its affliction, and let me live for a thousand years with your youth.” Anu replied, “A worn-out man, like a child, takes food at the wrong time, as if impure, and does not offer oblations properly—such old age I do not desire.” Yayāti responded, “Because you have spoken of the fault of old age and will not give me your youth, your offspring will perish in their youth, and you too will meet the same fate when your fire is extinguished.” Finally, Yayāti turned to Puru, “You, Puru, take upon yourself old age and its affliction. You are dearer to me than a son, and you shall become greater. Old age and wrinkles, dear child, and gray hairs have come upon me because of the curse of Kāvya Uśanas, and I am not yet satisfied with youth.