Yayāti, the illustrious son of Nahusha, ruled his kingdom with unwavering righteousness, delighting all his subjects as if he were another Indra incarnate. His reign was marked by youthful vigor and lion-like majesty; he enjoyed the pleasures of life to their fullest, yet never strayed from the path of dharma. Supreme happiness was his, and all his auspicious desires were fulfilled. Still, as time passed, satisfaction gave way to weariness, and Yayāti remembered the prophecy that his thousand years of youth would eventually end. Understanding the proper moment and reflecting deeply on the passage of time, Yayāti recognized that his period of youthful enjoyment was complete. He called his son Puru and spoke words of wisdom: “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 of this is not enough for one man. Therefore, one should seek contentment.” He continued, “O subduer of foes, with joy and vigor, I have enjoyed the pleasures of youth as I wished, together with you, my son. Puru, I am pleased; blessings to you! Accept your youth once more, and also accept this kingdom, for you are my beloved son.” With these words, King Yayāti relinquished his borrowed youth and embraced old age, while Puru received back his own youth. When Yayāti resolved to anoint Puru, his younger son, as king, the Brahmins and other classes approached him. They questioned, “O lord, how will you give the kingdom to Puru, the son of Devayani and grandson of Shukra, bypassing your eldest son Yadu? Your eldest son is Yadu, then Turvasu, Druhyu—son of Sharmishtha—Anu, and finally Puru. How does the younger deserve the kingdom, passing over the eldest? We urge you to uphold your duty.” Yayāti addressed them all, “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 son 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 son is truly a son and behaves as a son should toward his parents. I was disrespected by Yadu, as well as Turvasu, Druhyu, and Anu; thus, I was 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 in the form of a son; and a boon was granted to me by Shukra, the sage Kavya Ushanas, himself. He who follows his father is the son who should be king and lord of the earth; let all of you agree—let Puru be anointed as king. A son endowed with virtues, who always acts for the benefit of his mother and father, deserves all auspiciousness; even if he is the youngest, he is master.” The Brahmins replied, “This kingdom belongs to the worthy eldest; he who is dear to you and does what pleases you. By granting a boon to Shukra, it is not possible to speak otherwise.” Thus, the citizens and subjects, satisfied with Yayāti’s decision, witnessed him anoint Puru as king. Having given the kingdom to Puru, Yayāti undertook the vow of a forest-dweller and departed from the city, accompanied by Brahmins and ascetics. From Yadu arose the Yādavas, from Turvasu the Yavanas, from Druhyu the Bhojas, and from Anu the Mleccha tribes. From Puru came the Paurava lineage, in which the Kuru dynasty was later born. After a thousand years, the kingdom was inherited by the Kurus. Thus, King Nahusha, Yayāti, joyfully installed his chosen son in the kingdom and became a forest-dwelling sage. He lived in the forest with Brahmins, subsisting on fruits and roots, practicing self-control, and eventually departed this world, attaining heaven. Yayāti dwelled in heaven, joyful and happy, but after not much time, he was cast down by Śakra, king of the gods. Helpless, he fell from heaven, unable to reach earth, and remained suspended in the intermediate space. It is said that later, he returned to heaven, accompanied by King Vasumat, Aṣṭaka, the mighty Pratardana, and Śibi, meeting together in the divine assembly. The sages asked: “By what deed did Yayāti again attain heaven? How was he cast down to earth by Indra? We wish to hear all this in full, as it truly happened, narrated by you, O sage, in the presence of the assembly of divine sages. Yayāti, king of the earth, was equal to the king of the gods, a nourisher of the Kuru lineage, radiant like fire. Of him, whose fame was vast and whose truthfulness renowned, whose greatness was immense, we wish to hear from you, O lord of gods, both in heaven and here, entirely.” The sage replied: “Indeed, I shall tell you the excellent story of Yayāti, both in heaven and here, for the sake of merit, which destroys all sins. Yayāti, King Nahusha, joyfully installed Pūru, his youngest son, in the kingdom, and then departed for the forest. Having entrusted his sons, with Yadu at the forefront, to their respective destinies, the king dwelt for a long time in the forest, subsisting on fruits and roots. He mastered himself and conquered anger, offering satisfaction to ancestors and deities, and properly making oblations to the fires according to the rule of the forest-dweller. Honoring guests always with offerings from the forest, the great one adopted the practice of gathering grains and ate only leftover food, not food prepared for himself.” Thus, the noble Yayāti’s story unfolds—a tale of virtue, wisdom, and the fulfillment of dharma, echoing through the ages and nourishing the lineage of the Kurus.