When a thousand years have passed, I will restore your youth to you, and once again take upon myself the burden of sin and old age. For an old man finds no pleasure in kingdom, chariot, horse, or woman; he feels no passion—such a state of old age is not one I desire. If you, Druhyu, born from my heart, will not give me your youth, then you shall never obtain what you most love and desire. In that land where travel is always by boat over floods, there you and your descendants will be known as those who do not enjoy sovereignty. Turning to Anu, I say: You, Anu, must take upon yourself old age and its afflictions; let me live for a thousand years with your youth. For a worn-out man, like a child, eats at improper times, as if impure; he forgets to offer oblations into the fire at the right moment—such old age I do not wish for. You, too, who are born of my heart, refuse to grant me your youth; since you have spoken of the faults of old age, you must now accept it. Your children, having reached the bloom of youth, will perish, O Anu; and you too will meet the same fate when your inner fire is spent. Then I turn to Puru: You, Puru, accept old age and its hardships; you are dearer to me than a son, and you shall become greater than all. Old age, wrinkles, and gray hairs have come upon me, my dear child, because of the curse of Kāvya Uśanas, and yet I am not satisfied with youth. Grant me, I pray, a little while more to enjoy the pleasures of life with your vigor; when a thousand years are fulfilled, I shall return your youth and take back the burden of old age. Hearing this, Puru answered me without hesitation: "As you wish, great king, so I shall do your bidding. I will take upon myself old age and its afflictions; receive my youth and enjoy pleasures as you desire. Covered by old age, I will bear your form and years; having given you my youth, I will live as you command." Moved by Puru’s devotion, I declare, "Puru, I am pleased with you, my child. I grant you this boon: your descendants will prosper in all desires and wealth." So it was that, recalling the great vow of Kāvya, I transferred my old age to my noble son, and with Puru’s youth restored to me, I, Yayāti, son of Nahusha, full of delight, devoted myself to the pleasures I loved most. Enthusiastically and at the right time, I enjoyed all delights that were not opposed to righteousness, as befitted a king. I satisfied the gods with sacrifices, my ancestors with offerings, the afflicted with compassion, and the best of the twice-born with gifts as they wished. I honored guests with food and drink, protected my people, showed kindness, and kept order among the Shudras and robbers. By righteousness, I delighted all my subjects, ruling as if I were another Indra himself. Youthful and vigorous, I reveled in supreme happiness, never straying from the path of dharma. Having achieved all my auspicious desires, I was at last satisfied, though weary, and I remembered the time when my thousand years would come to an end. Knowing the proper time and reflecting on the cycles of life, I realized the appointed period was complete, and so I spoke to my son Puru: "Desire is never quenched by the enjoyment of objects; like fire fed with ghee, it only grows stronger. Whatever rice, barley, gold, cattle, or women exist on earth—all that is not enough for one man; therefore, one should seek contentment. O subduer of foes, with joy, with vigor, and as I wished, I have enjoyed the pleasures of youth, my son, together with you. Puru, I am pleased; blessings to you! Receive again your youth and this kingdom, for you are my beloved son." Thus, I, King Yayāti, son of Nahusha, accepted back old age, and Puru received his own youth once more. When I decided to anoint my younger son Puru as king, the classes, led by the Brahmins, questioned me: "O lord, how can you give the kingdom to Puru, the son of Devayani and grandson of Shukra, passing over your eldest son Yadu? Your eldest is Yadu, then Turvasu; Druhyu is the son of Sharmishtha, then Anu, and finally Puru. How does the youngest deserve the kingdom, passing over the eldest? We urge you—uphold your duty." To them all, I replied, "Let all the classes, with the Brahmins at their head, hear my words: I will never give the kingdom to the eldest. My eldest, Yadu, did not obey my command; he acted against his father, and such a one is not considered a true son among the virtuous. He who acts according to the words of his mother and father, who is beneficial and follows the right path—that is the true son, who behaves as a son should toward his parents. I was disrespected by Yadu, and likewise by Turvasu, Druhyu, and Anu; thus was I greatly dishonored. Puru fulfilled my command and especially honored me; though younger, he is my heir, for he bore my old age. My wish was accomplished by Puru, who is truly a son to me; and the boon was granted by Shukra, the sage Kāvya Uśanas himself. He who follows his father is the son who should be king and lord of the earth; let all agree—let Puru be anointed as king.