King Yayati, the illustrious son of Nahusha, finally accepted the burden of old age, which he had earlier transferred to his youngest son, Puru. With Puru now restored to his youth, Yayati resolved to anoint him as king. The Brahmins, together with the other societal classes, approached Yayati, led by the wise Brahmins, and spoke respectfully: “O lord, how can you grant the kingdom to Puru, bypassing Yadu, your eldest son—the son of Devayani and grandson of Shukra, who is renowned as the best?” They reminded Yayati that Yadu was born first, followed by Turvasu. From Sharmishtha came Druhyu, then Anu, and finally Puru. They questioned: “How does the youngest deserve the kingdom, passing over his elder brothers? We urge you to uphold righteousness.” Yayati addressed the assembled Brahmins and citizens, saying, “Listen to my words. In my view, the kingdom should not necessarily go to the eldest. A son who obeys his mother and father is praised; but Yadu, my eldest, did not follow my command. One 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.” Yayati explained that he had been disrespected not only by Yadu, but also by Turvasu, Druhyu, and Anu—all had dishonored him. Only Puru fulfilled his word and honored him above all. Though the youngest, Puru bore Yayati’s old age and accomplished everything for his father. Yayati recalled a boon given by the sage Shukra, Usanas himself: “O wise one, the son who follows you shall be king.” Thus, with the approval of the people, Yayati declared that Puru, endowed with virtues and always devoted to his parents, deserved the kingship—even as the youngest, he was the rightful lord. Yayati affirmed, “Puru is worthy of this kingdom, for he is dear and acts for my welfare. There is nothing more to say against the boon granted by Shukra.” The citizens and countrymen, pleased by these words, watched as Nahusha consecrated his own son Puru as king over the kingdom. Yayati then settled his other sons in the directions of the earth: Turvasu in the southeast, Yadu in the southwest, Druhyu and Anu in the northwest and north. 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, upholding righteousness for all. Having entrusted the earth to his sons, Nahusha became content, his prosperity now passed on. He laid down his bow and arrows, relinquished the kingdom, and found peace, his burdens now borne by his relatives. At this moment, a verse once sung by the great king Yayati was recalled: “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; like a fire fed with offerings, it only grows stronger. No amount of rice, barley, gold, cattle, or women is enough for one man; seeing this, one is not deluded. Yayati taught that when one kindles the fire of purity in all beings—by action, mind, and speech—one attains Brahman. When one does not fear others, nor is feared by them; when one neither desires nor hates—then one attains Brahman. The craving that is hard to abandon, which persists even as the body ages and leads to ruin, must be relinquished for happiness to arise. The treasures of an aging man decay, his teeth decay, but his hope for life and wealth never decays, even in old age. He declared that whatever happiness exists in the world without desire, and whatever great divine happiness there is, the happiness of freedom from craving surpasses them all. Having spoken thus, the royal sage Yayati, with his wife, departed for the forest. There, at Bhrigu’s peak, he performed austerities, observed a hundred vows, and attained heaven. His five lineages, virtuous and honored by divine sages, spread across the earth like the rays of the sun. Blessed, prosperous, long-lived, and renowned becomes the man—especially the best among the twice-born—who reads or hears the story of Yayati. After recounting Yayati’s tale, the lineage of Yadu was described. Yadu, the most illustrious and supremely powerful, had five sons, comparable to the sons of the gods: Sahasrajit, the foremost; then Kroshtu, Nila, Jita, and Laghu. Sahasrajit’s son was the illustrious king Shatajit, who had three sons: Haihaya, Haya, and Venuhaya. Haihaya’s heir was Dharmatatva, as tradition tells. Dharmatantra was the son of Kirtis, and Samjneya’s heir was the king Mahishman. Mahishman’s son was the valiant Bhadrasrenya, king of Varanasi. Bhadrasrenya’s heir was King Durmada, from whom came the wise and famed Kanka. Kanka had four sons, renowned throughout the world: Kritavirya, Kartavirya, Kritavarma, and Krita. Krita was the fourth. From Kritavirya came Arjuna, a king born with a thousand arms, who ruled over the seven islands. Kartavirya performed severe austerities for ten thousand years and, having pleased Dattatreya—born of Atri—worshipped him. Thus unfolds the story of Yayati and the glorious lineage of Yadu, celebrated for their virtue, power, and devotion.