01.079
Vaiśampāyana said.
Having reached old age and returned to his own city, Yayāti spoke these words to his eldest and most excellent son, Yadu. (01-79-1)
Dear one, old age, wrinkles, and grey hairs have overtaken me because of the curse of Kāvya Uśanas, and I am not satisfied with youth. (01-79-2)
O Yadu, take upon yourself this affliction along with old age. With your youth, I would enjoy the objects of the senses. (01-79-3)
When the thousand years are complete, I shall give your youth back to you and take back my own affliction together with old age. (01-79-4)
Yadu said.
He was white-bearded and white-haired, pitiable, made slack by old age, with his body covered in wrinkles, hard to look at, weak, and emaciated. (01-79-5)
I do not desire that old age in which a man becomes powerless to perform tasks and is despised by the young and even by those who live dependent on him. (01-79-6)
Yayāti said.
Since you, though born from my heart, do not give me your own youth, therefore, dear son, your progeny will indeed have no share in kingship. (01-79-7)
O Turvasu, take upon yourself this affliction together with old age. With your youth, I would indeed enjoy the objects of the senses, dear son. (01-79-8)
When a thousand years have been completed, I shall give back the youth, and I shall take back my own affliction together with old age. (01-79-9)
Turvasu said.
Dear father, I do not desire old age, which destroys the pleasures of desire, brings strength and beauty to an end, and destroys intellect and life itself. (01-79-10)
Yayāti said.
Since you, though born from my heart, do not give me your own youth, therefore, O Turvasu, your progeny will come to extinction. (01-79-11)
O deluded one, you will become king among people of mixed conduct and dharma, among those who act contrary to proper order, among flesh-eaters, and among the lowest people. (01-79-12)
You will be born among those attached to their guru's wife, among those born in animal wombs, among people of beastly conduct, among sinners, and among mlecchas. (01-79-13)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Thus Yayāti, having cursed Turvasu, his own son, spoke these words to Druhyu, the son of Śarmiṣṭhā. (01-79-14)
O Druhyu, accept for a thousand years my old age, which destroys complexion and beauty, and give me your own youth. (01-79-15)
But when a thousand years are complete, I shall return your youth, and I shall again take back my own sin along with old age. (01-79-16)
Druhyu said.
The aged man enjoys neither elephant, nor chariot, nor horse, nor woman. His speech also becomes impaired; therefore, I do not desire that old age. (01-79-17)
Yayāti said.
Because you, though born from my heart, do not give me your own youth, therefore, O Druhyu, no cherished desire of yours will ever be fulfilled. (01-79-18)
Where there will always be ferrying across by rafts and boats, there, though without kingship, you and your descendants will obtain the appellation
O Anu, take upon yourself my sinful condition along with old age; then I would live for one thousand years with your youth. (01-79-20)
Anu said.
An old man, like an unclean child, eats at the wrong time and does not tend the fire at the proper time; I do not desire that old age. (01-79-21)
Yayāti said.
Since you, though born from my heart, do not give me your own youth, this defect of old age has been spoken of by you; therefore you will undergo it. (01-79-22)
O Anu, your offspring will perish after attaining youth; and you too will become intent on leaping into fire in this way. (01-79-23)
O Pūru, you are dear to me, and you are my son; you will become the more excellent one. Old age, wrinkles, and grey hairs have overtaken me, my dear. Because of the curse of Uśanas Kāvya, I am not yet satisfied with youth. (01-79-24)
O Puru, take upon yourself the affliction along with old age; I shall enjoy the sense objects for a while with your youth. (01-79-25)
But when a thousand years are complete, I shall return your youth, and I shall take back my own sin along with old age. (01-79-26)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Thus addressed, Pūru replied directly to his father, "As you have said to me, O great king, I shall carry out that command of yours." (01-79-27)
O king, I shall take upon myself your sin along with old age. Take youth from me, and enjoy pleasures as you desire. (01-79-28)
Covered by old age and bearing the form of your age, I shall give youth to you and live as you told me. (01-79-29)
Yayāti said.
O Pūru, my child, I am pleased with you; and being pleased, I grant this to you. In the kingdom, your people will be prosperous in every desired thing. (01-79-30)
