Yayati, the illustrious king, found himself afflicted by the burdens of old age: his beard had turned white, his face was joyless, and his limbs, loosened and gathered with wrinkles, revealed the frailty of advancing years. Weak and thin, he was hard to look upon, and the vigor of youth had left him entirely. Unable to perform his royal duties, Yayati lamented the scorn he faced from the young and those who lived with him. “I do not desire this old age,” he declared, “which brings only misery.” Turning to his sons, he addressed the eldest, saying, “O king, you have many sons dearer to you than I am. O knower of dharma, choose another to accept old age, for I do not wish it.” Yet, as Yayati pleaded, he reminded his son, “You are born from my heart, but you refuse me your youth. Therefore, unworthy of the kingdom, your offspring shall be yours.” Rejected, Yayati then spoke to his son Turvasu: “Turvasu, accept the affliction of old age. Let me, with youth, enjoy your pleasures, my son. When a thousand years have passed, I will return your youth, and again take upon myself the affliction of old age.” But Turvasu refused, saying, “I do not desire old age, father, which destroys the enjoyment of desires, ends strength and beauty, and destroys intellect and life.” Yayati, saddened by Turvasu’s refusal, pronounced a curse: “Since you are born from my heart yet do not give me your youth, Turvasu, your lineage shall come to an end. You shall be 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 cursed Turvasu, Yayati turned to Druhyu, the son of Sharmishtha. “Druhyu, you accept old age, which destroys color and form, for a thousand years; give me your youth. When a thousand years have passed, I will return your youth, and again take upon myself the affliction of old age.” Druhyu, too, refused. “The old man enjoys neither elephant, nor chariot, nor horse, nor woman; his speech falters—such old age I do not desire.” Yayati replied, “Since you are born from my heart yet do not give me your youth, Druhyu, your beloved desire shall never be fulfilled. You will dwell where there are no horses among the foremost of horse-chariots, nor elephants with seats, nor donkeys, nor goats, nor cows, nor palanquins; where crossing is always by boats and rafts.” Yayati next approached Anu. “You, Anu, accept the affliction of old age; for one thousand years I will live with your youth.” But Anu refused as well, 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.” Yayati 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, Yayati finally approached Puru, intending to test his worthiness. “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.” Yayati, pleased with Puru’s devotion, blessed him: “Puru, I am pleased with you, my son; since I am pleased, I grant you this: your progeny will flourish in the kingdom, endowed with every desire.” Thus, remembering the curse of Kavi, Yayati transferred old age and its affliction to the great-souled Puru. With the youth of Puru, Yayati, son of Nahusha, became a handsome and youthful prince once more, filled with delight. He enjoyed beloved pleasures as he wished, with enthusiasm and happiness, always within the bounds of dharma. Yayati satisfied the gods with sacrifices, honored his ancestors with offerings, gave gifts to the poor, and rewarded the best of the twice-born. He welcomed guests with food and drink, protected his people, showed compassion to the lowly, and restrained wrongdoers. Ruling with righteousness, Yayati won the affection of all, like another Indra in person. Young and lion-like in valor, Yayati enjoyed supreme happiness, moving freely within the bounds of righteousness, and encountered no opposition. Having attained all auspicious desires, the king was both satisfied and weary, and remembered the time that would end after a thousand years. Knowing the reckoning of time, strong in vigor, Yayati counted the moments and hours as he enjoyed the youth of Puru through a thousand years.