The sages asked:: How was his daughter given to a king by the noble-souled Maruta (rather Marutta)? Of what heroic ability were the noble-souled persons born of the daughter of Maruta?

Sūta replied:: That lord of subjects desirous of cooked food, performed the sacrifice Marutsoma. That king of great splendour performed it every month for sixty years.

Sūta replied:: The gods, Maruts, were pleased by the sacrifice Marutsoma of that king. Delighted in their heart, they give never-failing cooked food with all the other articles he should desire.

Sūta replied:: His food taken in once did not get wasted for a day and a night (i.e. people eating it will not be hungry for twenty-four hours). Starting at sunrise, he used to give food to crores of people (?)

Sūta replied:: To the daughter of Mitrajyoti and the intelligent Maruta were born many sons who were conversant with dharma, could realize salvation and who were endowed with great intrinsic strength.

Sūta replied:: They renounced the rites and vows pertaining to the householder and adopted Vairāgya (non-attachment to worldly desires or objects). After taking up the duties of recluses they attained salvation.

Sūta replied:: Kṣatra-Dharma was the valorous son of Anenas. Pratipakṣa of great penance was born as the son of Kṣatradharma.

Sūta replied:: Sṛñjaya, the son of Pratipakṣa, became well-known. Jaya was the son of Sṛñjaya. Vijaya was born to him.

Sūta replied:: Jaya the second, was the son of Vijaya. Haryaśvaka is remembered as his son. The valorous king Sahaḍeva was the son of Haryaśva.

Sūta replied:: The righteous-souled son of Sahadeva was famous by the name of Ahīna. Jayatsena was the son of Ahīna. His son was Saṅkṛti.

Sūta replied:: The righteous-souled Kṛtadharman. of great fame was the son of Saṅkṛti. These are the descendants of Āyus of Kṣatriya qualities. Now understand the line of Nahuṣa.

Sūta replied:: Nahuṣa had six sons whose splendour was comparable to that of Indra. They were Yati, Yayāti, Saṃyāti, Āyāti Viyāti and Kṛti.

Sūta replied:: Yati was the eldest among them. Yayāti was his younger brother. Yati got as his wife the daughter of Kākutstha, named Gau.

Sūta replied:: Yati adopted the path of salvation. He became a sage and became one with Brahman. Among the other five, it was Yayāti who became king.

Sūta replied:: He got Devayānī, the daughter of Uśanas, and Śarmiṣṭhā the Asura lady and daughter of Vṛṣaparvan, as his wives.

Sūta replied:: Devayānī gave birth to Yadu and Turvasu. Śarmiṣṭhā, the daughter of Vṛṣaparvan, gave birth to Druhyu, Anu and Pūru, sons of great prowess and comparable to the sons of the Devas.

Sūta replied:: Devayānī gave birth to Yadu and Turvasu. Śarmiṣṭhā, the daughter of Vṛṣaparvan, gave birth to Druhyu, Anu and Pūru, sons of great prowess and comparable to the sons of the Devas.

Sūta replied:: Devayānī gave birth to Yadu and Turvasu. Śarmiṣṭhā, the daughter of Vṛṣaparvan, gave birth to Druhyu, Anu and Pūru, sons of great prowess and comparable to the sons of the Devas.

Sūta replied:: With that pre-eminent chariot, he constantly conquered the different kingdoms on the earth. Yayāti was invincible in battle to the Devas, Dānavas and human beings.

Sūta replied:: That chariot continued to be with all the kings of Pūru’s line upto Janamejaya, the son of Kaurava dynasty. That chariot disappeared when it reached Pārīkṣita, the king who was the grandson of Kuru. It disappeared due to the curse of the intelligent Gārgya.

Sūta replied:: That chariot continued to be with all the kings of Pūru’s line upto Janamejaya, the son of Kaurava dynasty. That chariot disappeared when it reached Pārīkṣita, the king who was the grandson of Kuru. It disappeared due to the curse of the intelligent Gārgya.

Sūta replied:: That king Janamejaya who was evil-minded and who was known as Lohagandhī (Having the odour of iron) also, killed a boy, the son of Gārgya.

Sūta replied:: Abandoned (Banished) by the citizens and people of the outlying districts, that king Lohagandhī ran about here and there. He did not get happiness or mental peace anywhere.

Sūta replied:: Distressed with sorrow and misery as he was, he did not get sympathetic understanding from anyone anywhere. Utterly dejected he sought refuge in the sage Śaunaka.

Sūta replied:: This sage of liberal and exalted intellect was famous under the name Indrota. For the sake of sanctity, Indrota Śaunaka made king Janamejaya perform a horse-sacrifice, O excellent Brāhmaṇas. After reaching the stage of Avabhṛtha (valedictory bath after horse-sacrifice) the king Lohagandhī died.

Sūta replied:: This sage of liberal and exalted intellect was famous under the name Indrota. For the sake of sanctity, Indrota Śaunaka made king Janamejaya perform a horse-sacrifice, O excellent Brāhmaṇas. After reaching the stage of Avabhṛtha (valedictory bath after horse-sacrifice) the king Lohagandhī died.

Sūta replied:: That divine chariot was taken away from him and given to (Uparicara) Vasu, the king of Cedi, by Indra who was pleased with him. Bṛhadratha got it from him.

Sūta replied:: That divine chariot was taken away from him and given to (Uparicara) Vasu, the king of Cedi, by Indra who was pleased with him. Bṛhadratha got it from him.

Sūta replied:: That saintly king Yayāti, the son ofNahuṣa, attained old age. He then spoke these words to Yadu, his eldest and the most excellent son.

Sūta replied:: “Dear son, wrinkles, grey hair and other infirmities of old age have overpowered (lit. encircled) me on account of the curse of Uśanas. But I am not content with the pleasures of youth.

Sūta replied:: O Yadu, accept my sin along with ṃy old age. Accept my old age.”

Sūta replied:: “A request for alms (of an unspecified nature) by a Brāhmaṇa has been promised but not fulfilled by me. It can be accomplished only through physical exertions. I will not take up your old age. There are many deficiencies and ailments in old age caused by food and beverage. Hence, O king, I dare not take up your old age. I do not wish to be afflicted by old age, while in youth, along with the people with sacred threads (i.e. aged Brāhmaṇas)(I do not want to be) a wretched fellow having a white beard and moustaches, rendered infirm by old age and having wrinkles covering up the whole body. (And old man) is desperate, weak in physique and incapable of doing his daily work (I do not wish to be so in my youth). I ḍo not like old age at all. You have many sons, O king, dearer to you than I. Let them accept (the old age), O king conversant with Dharma (piety and virtue), choose some other soil”.

Sūta replied:: “A request for alms (of an unspecified nature) by a Brāhmaṇa has been promised but not fulfilled by me. It can be accomplished only through physical exertions. I will not take up your old age. There are many deficiencies and ailments in old age caused by food and beverage. Hence, O king, I dare not take up your old age. I do not wish to be afflicted by old age, while in youth, along with the people with sacred threads (i.e. aged Brāhmaṇas)(I do not want to be) a wretched fellow having a white beard and moustaches, rendered infirm by old age and having wrinkles covering up the whole body. (And old man) is desperate, weak in physique and incapable of doing his daily work (I do not wish to be so in my youth). I ḍo not like old age at all. You have many sons, O king, dearer to you than I. Let them accept (the old age), O king conversant with Dharma (piety and virtue), choose some other soil”.

Sūta replied:: “A request for alms (of an unspecified nature) by a Brāhmaṇa has been promised but not fulfilled by me. It can be accomplished only through physical exertions. I will not take up your old age. There are many deficiencies and ailments in old age caused by food and beverage. Hence, O king, I dare not take up your old age. I do not wish to be afflicted by old age, while in youth, along with the people with sacred threads (i.e. aged Brāhmaṇas)(I do not want to be) a wretched fellow having a white beard and moustaches, rendered infirm by old age and having wrinkles covering up the whole body. (And old man) is desperate, weak in physique and incapable of doing his daily work (I do not wish to be so in my youth). I ḍo not like old age at all. You have many sons, O king, dearer to you than I. Let them accept (the old age), O king conversant with Dharma (piety and virtue), choose some other soil”.

Sūta replied:: “A request for alms (of an unspecified nature) by a Brāhmaṇa has been promised but not fulfilled by me. It can be accomplished only through physical exertions. I will not take up your old age. There are many deficiencies and ailments in old age caused by food and beverage. Hence, O king, I dare not take up your old age. I do not wish to be afflicted by old age, while in youth, along with the people with sacred threads (i.e. aged Brāhmaṇas)(I do not want to be) a wretched fellow having a white beard and moustaches, rendered infirm by old age and having wrinkles covering up the whole body. (And old man) is desperate, weak in physique and incapable of doing his daily work (I do not wish to be so in my youth). I ḍo not like old age at all. You have many sons, O king, dearer to you than I. Let them accept (the old age), O king conversant with Dharma (piety and virtue), choose some other soil”.

Sūta replied:: “A request for alms (of an unspecified nature) by a Brāhmaṇa has been promised but not fulfilled by me. It can be accomplished only through physical exertions. I will not take up your old age. There are many deficiencies and ailments in old age caused by food and beverage. Hence, O king, I dare not take up your old age. I do not wish to be afflicted by old age, while in youth, along with the people with sacred threads (i.e. aged Brāhmaṇas)(I do not want to be) a wretched fellow having a white beard and moustaches, rendered infirm by old age and having wrinkles covering up the whole body. (And old man) is desperate, weak in physique and incapable of doing his daily work (I do not wish to be so in my youth). I ḍo not like old age at all. You have many sons, O king, dearer to you than I. Let them accept (the old age), O king conversant with Dharma (piety and virtue), choose some other soil”.

Sūta replied:: On being told thus by Yadu, he became extremely furious. (The king) who was the most excellent among the eloquent ones spoke to the eldest son after censuring him.

Sūta replied:: “O evil-minded one, what other devout rite do you have for which you disregard me, your preceptor (and father)? What other Āśrama (stage of life) can you have?”

Sūta replied:: After saying this to Yadu, the angry father cursed him—“In spite of your being born of my bosom, you are not passing on your youthful age unto me. Hence, O foolishly deluded one, your progeny will not be entitled to the kingdom. O Turvasu, accept my sin along with my old age”.

Sūta replied:: After saying this to Yadu, the angry father cursed him—“In spite of your being born of my bosom, you are not passing on your youthful age unto me. Hence, O foolishly deluded one, your progeny will not be entitled to the kingdom. O Turvasu, accept my sin along with my old age”.

Turvasu said:: “I do not desire to accept old age, O father. It is destructive of all worldly pleasures oflove. There are many defects in old age caused by food and beverage. Hence, O king, I am not eager to take up your old age.”

Turvasu said:: “I do not desire to accept old age, O father. It is destructive of all worldly pleasures oflove. There are many defects in old age caused by food and beverage. Hence, O king, I am not eager to take up your old age.”

Turvasu said:: “I do not desire to accept old age, O father. It is destructive of all worldly pleasures oflove. There are many defects in old age caused by food and beverage. Hence, O king, I am not eager to take up your old age.”

Turvasu said:: “I do not desire to accept old age, O father. It is destructive of all worldly pleasures oflove. There are many defects in old age caused by food and beverage. Hence, O king, I am not eager to take up your old age.”

Sūta said:: After cursing Turvasu, his own son, thus, Yayāti spoke these words to Druhyu, the son of Śarmiṣṭhā:—

Sūta said:: After cursing Turvasu, his own son, thus, Yayāti spoke these words to Druhyu, the son of Śarmiṣṭhā:—

Sūta said:: After cursing Turvasu, his own son, thus, Yayāti spoke these words to Druhyu, the son of Śarmiṣṭhā:—

Druhyu said: “An old man cannot drive a chariot or ride a horse. He cannot enjoy women. He has no pleasure. Therefore, I do not desire old age”.

Tayāti said: “Since you, born of my own bosom, do not give me your own youthful age, O Druhyu, none of your desires will be realised anywhere. You will always be compelled to move about in boats, rafts, canoes etc. Though born in the family of kings, you will stay there as a non-king.

Tayāti said: “Since you, born of my own bosom, do not give me your own youthful age, O Druhyu, none of your desires will be realised anywhere. You will always be compelled to move about in boats, rafts, canoes etc. Though born in the family of kings, you will stay there as a non-king.

Tayāti said: “Since you, born of my own bosom, do not give me your own youthful age, O Druhyu, none of your desires will be realised anywhere. You will always be compelled to move about in boats, rafts, canoes etc. Though born in the family of kings, you will stay there as a non-king.

Anu said: “An old man is as weak and feeble as a child. He is always unclean. He does not perform Homa in the sacred fire at the proper time. I do not like that type of old age.”

Yayāti said: “Since you, born of my own bosom, do not give me your youthful age and since the defects of old age have been recounted by you, you will have to meet with the (infirmities of) age. You will be prematurely old O Anu, your progeny will die after attaining youth. You will have to devote to the scattering of fire like this (i.e. you will have to cremate your own children).

Yayāti said: “Since you, born of my own bosom, do not give me your youthful age and since the defects of old age have been recounted by you, you will have to meet with the (infirmities of) age. You will be prematurely old O Anu, your progeny will die after attaining youth. You will have to devote to the scattering of fire like this (i.e. you will have to cremate your own children).

Yayāti said: “Since you, born of my own bosom, do not give me your youthful age and since the defects of old age have been recounted by you, you will have to meet with the (infirmities of) age. You will be prematurely old O Anu, your progeny will die after attaining youth. You will have to devote to the scattering of fire like this (i.e. you will have to cremate your own children).

Yayāti said: “Since you, born of my own bosom, do not give me your youthful age and since the defects of old age have been recounted by you, you will have to meet with the (infirmities of) age. You will be prematurely old O Anu, your progeny will die after attaining youth. You will have to devote to the scattering of fire like this (i.e. you will have to cremate your own children).

Yayāti said: “Since you, born of my own bosom, do not give me your youthful age and since the defects of old age have been recounted by you, you will have to meet with the (infirmities of) age. You will be prematurely old O Anu, your progeny will die after attaining youth. You will have to devote to the scattering of fire like this (i.e. you will have to cremate your own children).

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Sūta said:: The king was his own real self as before (in the performance of religious rites). He enjoyed pleasures without any prejudice to Dharma and according to his capacity. He propitiated the Devas by means of sacrifices and the Pitṛs by means of Śrāddha rites.

Sūta said:: He delighted his wives by means of all favours desired by them. He made excellent Brāhmaṇas pleased by granting them everything they desired. He pleased guests by means of foodstuffs and beverages and the Vaiśyas (the merchant class) by according them benign administration.

Sūta said:: He delighted Śūdras by avoiding cruelty and preventing their harassment by others. He controlled decoits by giving punishments and restraining them otherwise. He delighted all subjects duly according to the injunctions of dharma.

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Yayāti said:: “O people of all castes with the Brāhmaṇas as chief ones, all of you listen to my words. Understand why the kingdom should not be given at all to the elder ones by me. The bold son who carries out the words of his parents is praiseworthy. My behest was not obeyed by my eldest son Yadu. The son who is antagonistic to his father is not honoured or approved of by good men. He is the real son who behaves like a son unto his father and mother. I have been slighted and insulted by Yadu, Turvasu. I have been treated with great contempt by Druhyu and Anu. My words have been carried out by Pūru and I have been particularly honoured. This youngest son shall be my heir, because my old age was taken over by him. All my desires have been fulfilled by Pūru of meritorious activities.

Yayāti said:: “O people of all castes with the Brāhmaṇas as chief ones, all of you listen to my words. Understand why the kingdom should not be given at all to the elder ones by me. The bold son who carries out the words of his parents is praiseworthy. My behest was not obeyed by my eldest son Yadu. The son who is antagonistic to his father is not honoured or approved of by good men. He is the real son who behaves like a son unto his father and mother. I have been slighted and insulted by Yadu, Turvasu. I have been treated with great contempt by Druhyu and Anu. My words have been carried out by Pūru and I have been particularly honoured. This youngest son shall be my heir, because my old age was taken over by him. All my desires have been fulfilled by Pūru of meritorious activities.

Yayāti said:: “O people of all castes with the Brāhmaṇas as chief ones, all of you listen to my words. Understand why the kingdom should not be given at all to the elder ones by me. The bold son who carries out the words of his parents is praiseworthy. My behest was not obeyed by my eldest son Yadu. The son who is antagonistic to his father is not honoured or approved of by good men. He is the real son who behaves like a son unto his father and mother. I have been slighted and insulted by Yadu, Turvasu. I have been treated with great contempt by Druhyu and Anu. My words have been carried out by Pūru and I have been particularly honoured. This youngest son shall be my heir, because my old age was taken over by him. All my desires have been fulfilled by Pūru of meritorious activities.

Yayāti said:: “O people of all castes with the Brāhmaṇas as chief ones, all of you listen to my words. Understand why the kingdom should not be given at all to the elder ones by me. The bold son who carries out the words of his parents is praiseworthy. My behest was not obeyed by my eldest son Yadu. The son who is antagonistic to his father is not honoured or approved of by good men. He is the real son who behaves like a son unto his father and mother. I have been slighted and insulted by Yadu, Turvasu. I have been treated with great contempt by Druhyu and Anu. My words have been carried out by Pūru and I have been particularly honoured. This youngest son shall be my heir, because my old age was taken over by him. All my desires have been fulfilled by Pūru of meritorious activities.

Yayāti said:: “O people of all castes with the Brāhmaṇas as chief ones, all of you listen to my words. Understand why the kingdom should not be given at all to the elder ones by me. The bold son who carries out the words of his parents is praiseworthy. My behest was not obeyed by my eldest son Yadu. The son who is antagonistic to his father is not honoured or approved of by good men. He is the real son who behaves like a son unto his father and mother. I have been slighted and insulted by Yadu, Turvasu. I have been treated with great contempt by Druhyu and Anu. My words have been carried out by Pūru and I have been particularly honoured. This youngest son shall be my heir, because my old age was taken over by him. All my desires have been fulfilled by Pūru of meritorious activities.

Yayāti said:: “O people of all castes with the Brāhmaṇas as chief ones, all of you listen to my words. Understand why the kingdom should not be given at all to the elder ones by me. The bold son who carries out the words of his parents is praiseworthy. My behest was not obeyed by my eldest son Yadu. The son who is antagonistic to his father is not honoured or approved of by good men. He is the real son who behaves like a son unto his father and mother. I have been slighted and insulted by Yadu, Turvasu. I have been treated with great contempt by Druhyu and Anu. My words have been carried out by Pūru and I have been particularly honoured. This youngest son shall be my heir, because my old age was taken over by him. All my desires have been fulfilled by Pūru of meritorious activities.

Yayāti said:: “O people of all castes with the Brāhmaṇas as chief ones, all of you listen to my words. Understand why the kingdom should not be given at all to the elder ones by me. The bold son who carries out the words of his parents is praiseworthy. My behest was not obeyed by my eldest son Yadu. The son who is antagonistic to his father is not honoured or approved of by good men. He is the real son who behaves like a son unto his father and mother. I have been slighted and insulted by Yadu, Turvasu. I have been treated with great contempt by Druhyu and Anu. My words have been carried out by Pūru and I have been particularly honoured. This youngest son shall be my heir, because my old age was taken over by him. All my desires have been fulfilled by Pūru of meritorious activities.

The Subjects said: “Let Pūru approved of by your majesty be crowned as a ruler of the kingdom.

The Subjects said: “Let Pūru approved of by your majesty be crowned as a ruler of the kingdom.

The Subjects said: “Let Pūru approved of by your majesty be crowned as a ruler of the kingdom.

The Subjects said: “Let Pūru approved of by your majesty be crowned as a ruler of the kingdom.

The Subjects said: The king established the eldest son Yadu in the South-Western quarter. He assigned the Western quarter to Druhyu and the northern quarter to Anu.

The Subjects said: After conquering the Earth consisting of seven oceans and continents, King Yayāti, the son of Nahuṣa, divided it into five divisions and distributed them among his sons.

The Subjects said: The entire Earth consisting of towns and seven continents is being protected by them righteously without encroaching on other territories as they were conversant with Dharma.

The Subjects said: After dividing the Earth among his sons and after transferring the royal glory to his sons, the king, the son of Nahuṣa, became delighted.

The Subjects said: After laying aside the bow and the arrows, after entrusting the kingdom to his sons and after allotting the duties and responsibilities to his kinsmen, the king became pleased.

The Subjects said: In this context the following verses have been formerly sung by Yayāti, the great king. By following the advice therein one should restrain and withdraw lustful, desires like a tortoise that withdraws his limbs.

The Subjects said: “Never can lust subside by enjoying the pleasures. Just as the fire is ablaze all the more by ghee offerings so also the desires get increased by indulgence.

The Subjects said: All the food-grains and barleys, all the gold, all the animals and all the women in the world—all these are not sufficient even for one. One who realizes this does not become deluded.

The Subjects said: If one has no inauspicious feelings towards all living beings, if one is not ill-disposed towards anyone mentally, verbally or physically, one realizes the Brahman then.

The Subjects said: If one does not terrify others, if one is not afraid of others, if one neither desires nor hates, one realizes the Brahman then.

The Subjects said: Happiness befalls one who eschews Tṛṣṇā (thirst, covetousness) which cannot be got rid of by evil-minded persons, which does not subside even when one becomes old and infirm and which can be considered an ailment that lasts till our vital airs last (or that causes death).

The Subjects said: When one becomes old, one’s hair become rotten and decayed; when one becomes old, one’s teeth decay, but the desire to live and the greediness to earn wealth do not subside even when one becomes old.

The Subjects said: The pleasure of love in the world, the great pleasure of heaven, do not deserve to be on a par with a sixteenth part of the pleasure of destruction of covetousness.”

The Subjects said: After saying thus that saintly king went to the forest along with his wives. After performing a penance on the peak Bhṛgutuṅga, and after observing the holy vow of sages, that king of great fame attained heaven. These five lines of kings belonging to his family are meritorious. They are honoured by the Devas and sages. The entire Earth is pervaded by them as with the rays of the sun. The man who reads or listens to Yayāti’s life story in full shall become blessed and is blest with progeny, long life and fame, O excellent Brāhmaṇas.

The Subjects said: After saying thus that saintly king went to the forest along with his wives. After performing a penance on the peak Bhṛgutuṅga, and after observing the holy vow of sages, that king of great fame attained heaven. These five lines of kings belonging to his family are meritorious. They are honoured by the Devas and sages. The entire Earth is pervaded by them as with the rays of the sun. The man who reads or listens to Yayāti’s life story in full shall become blessed and is blest with progeny, long life and fame, O excellent Brāhmaṇas.

The Subjects said: After saying thus that saintly king went to the forest along with his wives. After performing a penance on the peak Bhṛgutuṅga, and after observing the holy vow of sages, that king of great fame attained heaven. These five lines of kings belonging to his family are meritorious. They are honoured by the Devas and sages. The entire Earth is pervaded by them as with the rays of the sun. The man who reads or listens to Yayāti’s life story in full shall become blessed and is blest with progeny, long life and fame, O excellent Brāhmaṇas.

The Subjects said: After saying thus that saintly king went to the forest along with his wives. After performing a penance on the peak Bhṛgutuṅga, and after observing the holy vow of sages, that king of great fame attained heaven. These five lines of kings belonging to his family are meritorious. They are honoured by the Devas and sages. The entire Earth is pervaded by them as with the rays of the sun. The man who reads or listens to Yayāti’s life story in full shall become blessed and is blest with progeny, long life and fame, O excellent Brāhmaṇas.