Once, it is said, King Yayāti ascended to heaven alongside King Vasumat, the mighty Aṣṭaka, Pratardana, and Śibi, all meeting together in the celestial assembly. The sages wondered: by what deeds had Yayāti, that illustrious king, again attained heaven? And how, O blessed sage, had Indra cast him down to earth? Eager to hear the true account, the sages requested the story be told in full, as it had truly happened. Yayāti, king of the earth, was renowned as an equal to the king of the gods—a nourisher of the Kuru lineage, radiant like fire. His fame was vast, his truthfulness celebrated, and his greatness immense. The sages wished to hear of his deeds, both in heaven and on earth, from the lord among gods. The sage agreed: “I shall recount to you the excellent story of Yayāti, both in heaven and here, for the sake of merit, which destroys all sins.” King Yayāti, son of Nahusha, joyfully installed his youngest son Pūru as ruler of the kingdom, and then departed for the forest. Having entrusted his sons—Yadu foremost among them—to their respective destinies, the king dwelled for a long time in the forest, subsisting on fruits and roots. He mastered himself, conquered anger, and performed his duties to ancestors and deities, making proper offerings to the fires according to the rule of the forest-dweller. He honored guests with whatever the forest provided, and, adopting the practice of gathering grains, ate only leftover food, never food prepared for himself. For a thousand years, such was his way of life; he subsisted on water, and for three years kept his speech and mind under strict control. Then, for a year, he lived on air alone, tireless, and performed austerity among five fires for another year. Standing on one foot, he lived for six months eating only air. Renowned for his virtue, Yayāti finally ascended to heaven, traversing the realms. In heaven, the king dwelled in the abode of the gods, honored by the thirty gods, Sādhyas, Maruts, and Vasus. From the world of the gods, Yayāti journeyed to the world of Brahma, the virtuous and self-controlled king, and dwelled there for a long time, as is heard. Once, the foremost king, Yayāti, came to Śakra, the lord of the gods. At the end of his story, Śakra questioned him: “When Pūru, in your form, O king, took on old age and wandered among people, then, after giving him the kingdom, what did you say to him? Tell me the truth here.” Yayāti replied, “With the approval of the people, I installed Pūru in the kingdom and said: ‘Between the Ganges and Yamuna, this entire territory is yours. In the middle of the earth, you are king; your brothers are rulers at the borders.’” He continued, “One who is without anger is superior to those with anger; the tolerant are superior to the intolerant. Among non-humans, the human is foremost; and the learned is foremost among the unlearned. When insulted, he does not insult in return, but endures the offense; he burns the insulter and attains good fortune. One should not be a reviler, nor speak cruel words, nor take anything from the inferior. One should not utter words that cause fear in others, nor speak harsh, greed-driven speech. A reviling person, harsh in speech, wounding others with words like thorns, is most unfortunate among people, carrying destruction bound to his mouth. He should be honored by the virtuous in front, protected by them behind, always endure the harsh words of the good, and maintain the conduct of the virtuous, being of good character. Words like arrows come forth from mouths; those struck by them grieve for three days, but they do not strike the vital parts of others. The wise should not release such words against others. There is no such union in the three worlds as friendship among people, giving, and sweet speech. Therefore, gentle speech should always be spoken, never harsh speech; one should honor the worthy, give, and never utter a curse.” Śakra then said, “Having completed all duties, O King, you have abandoned your home and gone to the forest. I ask you, son of Nahusha: by whose austerity is Yayāti equaled?” Yayāti replied, “Among gods, humans, Gandharvas, or great sages, O Vasava, I see no one who matches me in austerity.” Śakra then declared, “When you disregarded those equal or superior, and those inferior, not knowing their true power, therefore, your worlds are now ended; with your merit depleted, you have fallen today, O King.” Yayāti confessed, “Because I disrespected gods, sages, Gandharvas, and men, my heavenly realms have diminished. Deprived of the world of the gods, O King of the gods, I wish to fall among the virtuous.” Śakra replied, “You have fallen among the virtuous, O King, losing your position, but here you may regain it. Knowing this, O Yayāti, do not disdain those who are equal or superior.” Then Yayāti fell from the blessed world enjoyed by the king of immortals. Seeing him fall, the foremost royal sage, Aṣṭaka, protector of righteous conduct, spoke to him: “Who are you, young man, whose form equals that of Vasava, shining with your own brilliance like fire, falling like a radiant cloud, foremost among sky-dwellers like the sun? Seeing you fall from the path of the sun, possessing immeasurable brilliance, all are bewildered, speculating about you. Seeing you established on the divine path, with a glory equal to Indra, the sun, and Vishnu, we have all come forth to meet you, wishing to know the reason for your fall. None of us dares to question you directly, nor do you ask us who we are. I ask you, whose form is desirable: who are you, and for what reason have you come?” Aṣṭaka continued, “Let your fear depart, abandon sorrow and confusion, you whose form equals Indra. Even Indra, though powerful, could not endure you among the virtuous. The virtuous are always a refuge for those who have lost happiness; among the virtuous, you are like the king of immortals. All beings, moving and unmoving, are gathered here; you are established among those who are equal. Fire is master in burning, earth in receiving, the sun in shining, and among the virtuous, the one who arrives is master.” Yayāti revealed himself: “I am Yayāti, son of Nahusha, father of Pūru. Because I disrespected all beings, I have fallen from the world of gods and perfected ones, cast down, with little merit.