Rāma, the foremost among those who delight in virtue, addressed his brother Saumitri, whose energy shone brightly. “O hero,” he said, “patience is not found in all men everywhere.” He continued, “Saumitri, the king Yayāti subdued unbearable anger, guided by virtue. Listen carefully and understand.” Yayāti, the son of Nahusha and king who increased the Paurava lineage, had two wives, unmatched in beauty upon earth. One was Śarmiṣṭhā, a Daitya princess, daughter of Vṛṣaparvan, honored by the royal sage Nahusha. The other was Devayānī, wife of Uśanas, of lovely form, though she was not dear to the king. From these two wives, two sons were born—handsome and composed. Śarmiṣṭhā bore Pūru, and Devayānī bore Yadu. Pūru became dear to the king, due to his virtues and his mother’s deeds. Yadu, however, was afflicted by sorrow, and spoke to his mother Devayānī: “Born in the lineage of Bhṛgu, from the god whose deeds are flawless, you endure the grief in your heart and the unbearable humiliation.” He continued, “Let us both together, O lady, enter the fire; let the king spend many nights in pleasure with the Daitya’s daughter. Or, if you can endure this, permit me; forgive me, for I cannot forgive—without doubt, I shall die.” Hearing her son’s words, spoken in utmost distress and tears, Devayānī, filled with anger, remembered her father. Recognizing his daughter’s gesture, the sage Bhārgava swiftly came to where Devayānī was. Seeing her out of her natural state—joyless and unconscious—he spoke gently, “What is this, my daughter?” As Bhārgava questioned her repeatedly, Devayānī, filled with anger, spoke: “O best of sages, I will consume fire, or deadly poison, or water; I will enter them, for I cannot bear to live. You do not disregard me, though I am afflicted and dishonored. By the contempt of a tree, O Brāhmaṇa, those who live on trees are cut down. By contempt and insult, O Bhārgava, the royal sage has treated me with scorn and does not value me highly.” Hearing her words, Bhārgava was filled with anger and spoke to the son of Nahusha: “Because you have scorned me, O evil-minded son of Nahusha, you shall be worn out by extreme old age and fall into decline.” Having thus spoken and consoled his daughter, the illustrious Brāhmaṇa sage Bhārgava returned to his own abode, comforting Devayānī and departing after cursing the son of Nahusha. Thus concludes the fifty-eighth sarga in the glorious Uttarakāṇḍa of the ancient and revered Rāmāyaṇa composed by Vālmīki. Hearing the enraged Uśanas, the son of Nahusha, Yayāti, afflicted and overtaken by extreme old age, spoke to Yadu: “O Yadu, you are righteous; for my sake, accept this extreme old age, my son of great fame, so that I may enjoy pleasures. I have not yet fulfilled my desires among pleasures, O best of men; after experiencing my wishes, then I shall accept old age.” Hearing these words, Yadu replied, “Let your beloved son Pūru accept old age. O King, having been cast out from affairs and from close association, who would accept food from me, and who would eat with me?” The king then spoke to Pūru: “Mighty-armed one, let this old age be accepted by you for my sake.” Thus addressed, Pūru, with joined palms, replied, “I am blessed, I am favored, I stand under your command.” Hearing Pūru’s words, Yayāti was filled with great joy and incomparable delight, and transferred old age to him. Regaining his youth, the king performed thousands of sacrifices and ruled the earth for many thousands of years. After a long time, Yayāti spoke to Pūru: “Bring back old age, my son, and return the trust to me. Old age was entrusted by me and transferred to you; therefore, I will now accept it back—do not be troubled. And I am pleased, mighty-armed one, by your acceptance of my command; with affection I will anoint you as king of men.” Having thus spoken to his son Pūru, Yayāti, son of Nahusha, angrily addressed the son of Devayānī: “You are a fierce rakshasa, though born as my son; since you have opposed my command for the sake of the people, be fruitless. Because you have disrespected me, your father and teacher, you will give rise to cruel rakshasas and yatudhanas. But in the line born of Soma, your wickedness will not remain; even your lineage will become unruly, like yourself.” Having spoken thus, the royal sage honored Pūru, the enhancer of the kingdom, with consecration and entered the hermitage. After a long time, King Yayāti, son of Nahusha, reached his destined end and ascended to heaven.