For a thousand years, O king, Yayāti lived an austere life, subsisting solely on water, and for three years he maintained strict control over his speech and mind. His discipline deepened: for one year, he lived on air alone, tireless in his resolve, and then performed intense austerities among five fires for another year. Standing on one foot, Yayāti spent six months consuming only air, his virtue renowned throughout the realms. Such was his merit that he ascended to heaven, traversing the celestial worlds. In heaven, Yayāti dwelled among the gods, honored by the thirty deities, the Sādhyas, Maruts, and Vasus. From the world of the gods, the virtuous and self-controlled king journeyed to the world of Brahma, where he resided for a long time, as tradition recounts. Once, the foremost king, Yayāti, came before Śakra, the lord of the gods. At the conclusion of their meeting, Śakra questioned Yayāti: "When Pūru, in your form, O king, took on your old age and wandered among the people, what did you say to him after giving him the kingdom? Tell me truthfully." Yayāti replied, "With the approval of the people, I installed Pūru as king and said, 'Between the Ganges and Yamuna, this entire territory is yours. In the middle of the earth, you are king; your brothers will rule at the borders.' I also taught him: one who is free from anger is superior to those who are angry; the tolerant are superior to the intolerant; among non-humans, the human is foremost; and among the unlearned, the learned is foremost. When insulted, he should not insult in return, but endure the offense; he thereby burns the insulter and attains good fortune. One should not revile others, nor speak cruel words, nor take anything from the inferior; nor should one utter words that cause fear, or speak harsh, greed-driven speech. A reviling person, harsh in speech and wounding others with words like thorns, is most unfortunate among people, carrying destruction bound to his mouth. The virtuous should honor him in front, protect him behind, always endure the harsh words of the good, and maintain virtuous conduct, being of good character. Words, like arrows, come forth from the mouth; those struck by them grieve for three days, yet they do not strike the vital parts. The wise should not release such words against others. There is no union in the three worlds as sweet as friendship among people, giving, and gentle speech. Therefore, gentle speech should always be spoken, never harsh words; one should honor the worthy, give generously, and never utter a curse." Śakra then asked Yayāti, "Having completed all duties, O King, you have abandoned your home and gone to the forest. Tell me, 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 responded, "When you disregarded those equal or superior, and those inferior, not knowing their true power, your worlds are now ended; your merit depleted, you have fallen today, O King." Yayāti admitted, "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 reassured him, "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 descend, the foremost royal sage, Ashtaka, protector of righteous conduct, addressed 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? 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 replied, "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. I am older than you in age, and therefore I do not offer you greeting. Among the twice-born, he who is elder by knowledge, austerity, or birth is honored." Ashtaka answered, "You spoke, 'I am elder by age,' O King, but one who is advanced in knowledge and austerity is truly honored among the twice-born. Acting against righteousness is sinful, and those who follow such a path fall into evil worlds. The virtuous do not follow the unvirtuous; you spoke against their nature." Yayāti reflected, "I had abundant wealth, great indeed, but striving, I have attained this state. Thus, one who acts with resolve for self-benefit understands, and the wise follow this path. In the world of living beings, there are many diverse forms, all subject to destiny, their power of action lost; having attained whatever is allotted, the wise man should not be disturbed, thinking with his own understanding that fate is stronger. Indeed, whether happiness or sorrow, a creature experiences it by destiny, not by its own power; therefore, considering fate to be powerful, one should neither grieve nor ever exult. In suffering, one should not be tormented; in happiness, one should not rejoice; the wise should always remain even-minded, thinking fate is powerful, and should neither be distressed nor ever delighted. In fear, I am never bewildered, O Ashtaka; no distress arises in my mind; as the Creator ordains for me in the world, so shall I become—thus I reflect. Those born of sweat, of eggs, of sprouts, reptiles, worms, and fish in the waters, as well as stones, grass, and wood—all, when their destined end arrives, return to their own nature. Recognizing the impermanence of happiness and sorrow, why should I, O Ashtaka, be distressed? What could I do, or having done, not be afflicted? Therefore, being vigilant, I avoid sorrow." Thus, Yayāti, having experienced the heights of heaven and the depths of humility, taught the importance of virtue, self-control, gentle speech, and the acceptance of destiny, shining as an example among the righteous.