Chapter 59 - Puru takes the place of his Father cursed by Shukra

“At these words of the enraged Shukra [also called Bhargava], the unfortunate Yayati, overtaken by old age, said to Yadu:—

“‘O Yadu, My Son, You are conversant with dharma, do you take mine old age upon thyself and give me back my youth so that I may continue to give myself up to various enjoyments. O Foremost of Men, I am not yet sated with pleasures; once I am satisfied, I will resume my senility.’

“Hearing these words, Yadu answered that foremost of monarchs, saying:—

“‘You have excluded me from all matters, O King, and deprived me of your proximity, let Puru, who feasts with you, take this upon himself!’

“Hearing the words of Yadu, the king addressed Puru, saying:—

“‘O Hero, do you take mine old age upon you.’

“On this, Puru, with joined palms, cried out:—

“‘What good fortune is mine! Do you favour me, I am at your command!’

“This response from Puru filled Nahusha with exceeding joy and, seeing himself freed from senility, he experienced an unequalled satisfaction. Thereupon, regaining his youth, he performed thousands of sacrifices and ruled the earth for innumerable years.

After a long time, the king said to Puru:—

“‘Give me back mine old age, my Son, that I deposited with you! I placed this decrepitude upon you and that is why I now reclaim it. Fear not, I am pleased with your submission to my will and shall install you as king in token of my satisfaction.’

“Having spoken thus to his son, Puru, King Yayati, born of Nahusha, addressed the son of Devayani harshly, saying:—

“‘You are an intractable Rakshasa born to me as a warrior, O You who dost disregard my behests 1 You shalt never be king 1 Since you have set me at nought, who am your sire and your spiritual director, you shalt beget terrible Rakshasas and Yatudhanas! Assuredly, O You of perverse soul, your race shall not intermingle with the issue of the lunar race and will resemble you in conduct.’

“Having spoken thus for the good of his realm, that royal Sage invested Puru with the supreme dignity and himself withdrew to the forest.

“After a long time, when the hour fixed had struck, he went to the Celestial Abode. Thereafter Puru ruled the empire with great equity and glory in the City of Pratishthana in the kingdom of Kashi.

“Yadu however begot thousands of Yatudhanas in the inaccessible City of Durga. In this wise, Yayati endured Shukra’s curse in accord with the traditions of the Kshatriyas but Nimi never exercised forgiveness.

“I have related everything to you, let us follow the example of those who accept all, so that we do not fall like Nriga.”

As Rama, whose face resembled the moon, was speaking thus, the heavens were spangled with stars and the east became a roseate golden colour as if she had donned a robe covered with the pollen of flowers.