Yayāti, the noble king, was tormented by the onset of old age, which had come upon him prematurely due to the curse of Kāvya Uśanas. Feeling unsatisfied with the pleasures of youth, especially in his union with Devayānī, he approached the sage and pleaded, “O best of Bhṛgus, grant me your favor so that this old age may not afflict me. I am not content with youth in Devayānī.” The sage replied truthfully, “O king, old age has overtaken you. If you wish, you may transfer this old age to another. Whoever gives you his youth, let that son be granted the kingdom, merit, and fame; let this be approved by me. You may transfer your old age as you wish, O son of Nahusha. Do so without hesitation, and you will not incur sin. The son who gives you his youth will become king, long-lived, renowned, and blessed with many children.” With this permission, Yayāti, afflicted by old age and gray hairs, returned to his city and summoned his eldest and most distinguished son, Yadu. He spoke, “My dear son, old age has overtaken me, and gray hairs have spread across my head. By the curse of Kāvya Uśanas, I am not yet satisfied with youth. Yadu, take upon yourself my sin along with my old age, so that I may enjoy the pleasures of the senses with your youth. After a thousand full years, I will return your youth to you and take back my sin along with old age.” Yadu considered his father’s request and replied, “There are many faults in old age, arising from eating and drinking. Therefore, O king, I have decided not to accept your old age. With white beard, joyless, loosened by old age, limbs gathered with wrinkles, a man is hard to look upon, weak, and thin. Unable to perform his duties, scorned by the young and by those who live with him—I do not desire that old age. You have many sons, O king, dearer to you than I am; therefore, O knower of dharma, choose another to accept old age.” Yayāti, disappointed by Yadu’s refusal, declared, “Since you are born from my heart yet do not give me your youth, therefore, O unworthy of the kingdom, your offspring shall be yours.” Rejected, the king turned to his next son, Turvasu, and said, “Turvasu, accept the affliction of old age; let me, with youth, enjoy your pleasures, my son. When a thousand years are complete, I will return your youth, and I will again take upon myself the affliction of old age.” Turvasu answered, “I do not desire old age, father, which destroys the enjoyment of desires, brings an end to strength and beauty, and destroys intellect and life.” Yayāti, angered by Turvasu’s refusal, declared, “Since you are born from my heart yet do not give me your youth, therefore, Turvasu, your lineage shall come to an end. You shall be a king among those of mixed and reversed conduct and dharma, among flesh-eaters and the lowest, O deluded one. You will be among those attached to their teacher’s wives, among those born in animal wombs, among those of animal nature, among sinners and mlecchas.” Having thus cursed Turvasu, Yayāti turned to his son Druhyu, born of Sharmishtha, and said, “Druhyu, you accept old age, which destroys color and form, for a thousand years; give me your youth. When a thousand years are complete, I will return your youth, and I will again take upon myself the affliction of old age.” Druhyu replied, “The old man enjoys neither elephant, nor chariot, nor horse, nor woman; his speech falters—such old age I do not desire.” Disappointed, Yayāti said, “Since you are born from my heart yet do not give me your youth, therefore, Druhyu, your beloved desire shall never be fulfilled. Where there are no horses among the foremost of horse-chariots, nor elephants with seats, nor donkeys likewise; nor goats, nor cows, nor palanquins, where always there will be crossing by boats and rafts…” Yayāti then approached his son Anu and implored, “You, Anu, accept the affliction of old age; for one thousand years I will live with your youth.” But Anu, too, refused, saying, “Just as an old man, like a child, eats food at the wrong time and in an impure way, and does not offer the sacred fire at the proper time—such old age I do not desire.” Yayāti responded, “Since you, born from my heart, do not give me your youth, and you have spoken of the fault of old age, therefore you shall receive it. Your offspring, having attained youth, will perish before you; and you, who have neglected the sacred fire, will also meet the same fate.” Rejected by his four sons and having cursed them in turn, Yayāti finally approached his youngest son, Puru, intending to test his worthiness. He said, “Puru, you are my beloved son; you shall become greater. Old age, wrinkles, and gray hairs have surrounded me, my child. Because of the curse of Kavi, son of Ushanas, I am not satisfied with youth. Puru, you take upon yourself the sin along with old age, so that I may enjoy pleasures for a certain time according to my desire. When a thousand years are complete, I will return youth to you, and I will take back my own sin along with old age.” Puru replied earnestly, “Whatever you say to me, O great king, I will do as you command. The words of a guru are sacred, bring heaven, and grant long life to men; by the guru’s favor, even Indra ruled the three worlds. By obtaining the guru’s consent, one attains all desires; for as long as you wish, I will bear your old age. I will take upon myself your sin along with old age, O king; receive youth from me and enjoy pleasures as you desire. Covered by old age, I will assume your form and age; having given you youth, I will live as you wish.” Thus, Puru accepted his father’s old age and sin, granting Yayāti the youth he sought, fulfilling his father’s wish with devotion and reverence.