Vaishampayana said: -
1. Having thus received the youth of Puru, Yayati the son of Nahusha, that best of kings, was exceedingly delighted. He again indulged in the pleasures of life.
2. He enjoyed himself to the full extent of his desires and to the full limit of his powers, as much as he desired and as the seasons called forth. But, O king, he did nothing against the precepts of religion.
3. He pleased the celestials, by performing sacrifices, the Pitris by Shraddhas, the poor by charities and the good Brahmana by fulfilling their desires.
4. The guests by food and drink, the Vaishyas by protection, the Shudras by kindness and the robbers by proper punishments.
5. Yayati pleased all classes of his subjects by ruling over them virtuously like Indra.
6. That king was as powerful as the lion. He was young and enjoyed all the pleasures of life. He enjoyed unlimited happiness without violating the precepts of religion.
7. The king (Yayati) became exceedingly happy in thus being able to enjoy all the best objects of enjoyments. That king of men was only sorry (in remembering) that one thousand years would soon come to an end.
8. That royal sage, learned in the mystery of time and possessed of great prowess, having obtained youth for one thousand years and watching proper Kalas and Kashthas.
9. Sported with Vishvachi (Apsara), some time in the garden (of Indra) Nandana, sometimes in Aloka and sometimes on the summit of the Meru Mountain.
10. That virtuous king then found that the fixed time (one thousand) years had come to an end. He then called Puru and addressed him thus.
Yayati said: -
11. O son, O chastiser of foes, I have enjoyed with your youth to the full extent of my desires and to the full limit of my powers and all according to their seasons.
12. But desires never die. They are never satiated by indulgence. By indulgence they flame up like the sacrificial fire with ghee poured into it.
13. If one becomes the sole lord of all the earth with its paddy, oats, gems, beasts and women, still it will not be considered by him enough. Therefore, the thirst for enjoyment, should be abandoned.
14. The thirst (of enjoyments), which is difficult to be cast off by the wicked, which does not fail even with falling life, is truly a fatal disease in man. To get rid of this thirst is real happiness.
15. My mind was attached to the pleasures of life for full one thousand years. My thirst for them, however, without being abated, is daily being increased.
16. Therefore, I shall get rid of it. I shall fix my mind on Brahma and becoming peaceful and having no attachment, I shall pass the rest of my days in the forest with the innocent deer.
17. O Puru, I am exceedingly pleased with you. Take (back) your own youth. Prosperity be to you. Receive my kingdom. You are my son who has done my favourite work.
Vaishampayana said: -
18. Yayati, the son of Nahusha, then received back his own old age and his son Puru also received back his youth.
19. Yayati became desirous of installing his youngest son Puru on the throne. But the four orders of his subject with Brahmanas at their head thus addressed him-
20. “O lord, how can you install Puru on the throne, passing over your eldest son Yadu, born of Devayani and grandson of Shukra?
21. Yadu is your eldest son, after him was Turvasu. Then Sharmishtha’s son Druhyu, Anu and last Puru.
22. How it would be proper to pass over all the elders and install 1 the youngest? We represent this to you, act according to the precepts of religion.
Yayati said: -
23. Hear all of you of the four orders of the caste with the Brahmanas at their head, why my kingdom should not be given to my eldest son.
24. My commands were disobeyed by my eldest son. The opinion of the wise men is that the son disobeys his father is no son at all.
25. The son who obeys the commands of his father and mother, who is humble and a well- wisher of his parents and who loves them, is the best of sons.
26. I have been slighted by Yadu and Turvasu; much have I been slighted by Druhyu and Anu.
27. Only Puru obeyed my commands and much have I been honoured and respected by him. He accepted my old age and therefore, though he is the youngest, yet he should be made king.
28. Puru is a great friend of mine and he did what was agreeable to me. And the son of Kavi, Ushanas, Shukra himself, granted me this boon.
29. The son who would obey me would become the king and the lord of the earth. Therefore, I entreat you, let Puru be installed on the throne.
The people said: -
30. O king, it is true that, the son who is accomplished and who seeks the good of his parents, deserves all prosperity, though he is the youngest.
31. Therefore, Puru, who has done good to you, deserve, to have the kingdom. As Shukra has granted this boon, we have no power to say anything.
Vaishampayana said: -
32. Having been thus addressed the contented people the son of Nahusha (Yayati) installed his son Puru on the throne.
33. Bestowing the kingdom on Puru he resolved to live in the forest and he left his capital with Brahmanas and ascetics.
34. The son of Yadu are known as the Yadavas, those of Turvasu as the Yavanas, those of Druhyu as the Bhojas and those of Anu as the Mlecchas.
35. Those of Puru as the Pauravas, in which dynasty, O king, you are born to rule the country for one thousand years.
Thus ends the eighty fifth chapter, the history of Yayati, in the Sambhava of the Adi Parva.