King Yayati, renowned for his wisdom and virtue, ruled with a spirit of generosity and righteousness. He satisfied the gods through sacrifices, honored his ancestors with śrāddha offerings, and brought joy to the poor by giving them gifts. The best among the twice-born received the boons they desired from him, and he treated guests with food and drink, ensuring their comfort. Yayati protected the Vaiśyas, showed compassion to the Śūdras, and subdued robbers, maintaining order throughout his realm. By upholding dharma, Yayati delighted all his subjects, ruling with the splendor and justice of Indra himself. In his youth, lion-like in stride and enjoying life’s pleasures, he lived in supreme happiness, never violating the path of righteousness. Though he sought enjoyment and recognized its faults, he spent some time in the splendid Nandana forest, trusting in its joys. Yet, when he saw signs of age in his companion, Yayati returned to his city and accepted his own old age. Having attained every pleasure, he felt both satisfaction and weariness, remembering the passage of time over a thousand years. Mindful of each moment and knowing the period was complete, he called his son Puru to him. “O subduer of enemies, my son,” he said, “I have enjoyed pleasures as I wished, with vigor and in due season, thanks to your youth. Puru, I am pleased with you—blessings to you! Take back your youth and the kingdom, O prince.” The Brahmins and other classes, led by the Brahmins, spoke these words in support. Thus, Yayati, son of Nahusha, accepted his old age, and Puru regained his youth. Desiring to anoint Puru, his youngest son, as king, the Brahmins and others asked, “O lord, how will you give the kingdom to Puru, passing over Yadu, the eldest son of Devayani and grandson of Shukra, who is the best? Yadu was born first, then Turvasu; Druhyu and Anu came from Sharmishtha, and Puru as well. How does the youngest deserve the kingdom, passing over his elders? Therefore, uphold righteousness.” Yayati replied, “Let all the Brahmins and other classes hear my words. In my view, the kingdom should not be given to the eldest. A son who obeys his parents is praised; my eldest, Yadu, did not follow my command. He who acts against his father is not considered a true son by the virtuous; only he who behaves as a son towards his parents is truly a son. I was disrespected by Yadu, Turvasu, Druhyu, and Anu; thus, I was greatly dishonored. But Puru fulfilled my word and especially honored me. Though the youngest, he is my heir, for he bore my old age. Puru accomplished all and did all for me.” Yayati continued, “A boon was given by Shukra, the sage Usanas himself: ‘O wise one, the son who follows you shall be king.’ With your approval, let Puru be consecrated as king. The son endowed with virtues and always devoted to his parents deserves all good things, even if he is the youngest; he is the lord. Puru is worthy of this kingdom, for he is dear and does what is dear. It is not possible to speak further in response to Shukra’s granting of a boon.” Addressed thus by the pleased citizens and countrymen, Nahusha consecrated his son Puru as king over his kingdom. Yayati settled Turvasu in the southeast, Yadu in the southwest, Druhyu and Anu in the northwest and north respectively. Having conquered the earth with its seven continents and oceans, Yayati divided it into five parts among his sons. Each son protected his region according to dharma, and the entire earth with its cities was cared for by them. Having entrusted the earth to his sons, Nahusha became content, his prosperity now passed to them. Laying down his bow and arrows, and relinquishing the kingdom, Yayati placed his burdens upon his relatives and found peace. At this time, Yayati once sang a verse: “He who, having come to the end, gathers desires as a tortoise draws in its limbs, entirely—” He reflected that desire is never quenched by enjoyment of objects; like a fire fed with offerings, it only grows stronger. No amount of rice, barley, gold, cattle, or women can satisfy a single man; seeing this, one does not become deluded. He taught that when one kindles the fire of purity in all beings—by action, mind, and speech—then one attains Brahman. When one does not fear others, and others do not fear him; when one neither desires nor hates—then one attains Brahman. That craving which is hard to abandon, which does not wither even as the body ages, and whose end is ruin—happiness comes to the one who abandons that thirst. Though the treasuries and teeth of the aging man decay, the hope for life and wealth does not decay. Whatever happiness in the world is without desire, and whatever great divine happiness there is, the happiness of freedom from craving does not equal even a sixteenth part of it. Having spoken thus, the royal sage Yayati, together with his wife, set out for the forest. Performing austerities at Bhṛgu’s peak, he observed a hundred vows and attained heaven there itself. His five lineages, virtuous and honored by divine sages, pervaded the entire earth, just as the rays of the sun spread everywhere. Blessed, prosperous, long-lived, and renowned becomes the man—especially the best of the twice-born—who reads or hears the entire story of Yayati.