01.080
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then Yayati, son of Nahusha and best of kings, delightedly enjoyed the beloved pleasures of the senses with Puru’s youth. (01-80-1)
According to desire, enthusiasm, time, and comfort, the king of kings acts only in ways not opposed to dharma, as he is worthy. (01-80-2)
He satisfied the gods with sacrifices and, likewise, the ancestors with śrāddha rites. He also satisfied the poor with desired favors and the best of the twice-born with objects of desire. (01-80-3)
Guests are to be treated with food and drink, the people with protection, Śūdras with compassion, and robbers with firm restraint. (01-80-4)
By righteousness, duly winning the affection of all his subjects, Yayāti ruled like another Indra manifest on earth. (01-80-5)
That king, as valiant as a lion and still young, enjoyed the highest happiness within the realm of sense-objects, without violating dharma. (01-80-6)
Having attained auspicious pleasures, the satisfied yet weary king, lord of men, remembered the time at the end of a thousand years. (01-80-7)
Having reckoned the kalās and kāṣṭhās, that mighty knower of time then considered the time complete and spoke to his son Pūru. (01-80-8)
O subduer of enemies, O son, with your youth I enjoyed sense-objects as I desired, with enthusiasm, and at the proper time. (01-80-9)
O Pūru, I am pleased with you. May welfare be yours. Accept your own youth, and also accept this kingdom, for you are indeed my son who has done what pleases me. (01-80-10)
Then King Yayāti, the son of Nahuṣa, received old age, and Pūru got back his own youth. (01-80-11)
The social classes, led by the Brāhmaṇas, spoke these words to the king who wished to consecrate Puru, his youngest son. (01-80-12)
O lord, how will you give the kingdom to Pūru after passing over Yadu, the eldest son of Devayānī and grandson of Śukra? (01-80-13)
Yadu was born as your eldest son, and after him Turvasu. Śarmiṣṭhā's son was Druhyu, followed by Anu and also Puru. (01-80-14)
How can the younger one deserve the kingdom after passing over his elders? We explain this dharma to you; you should observe it. (01-80-15)
Yayāti said.
Let all the social orders headed by the Brāhmaṇas hear my statement: the kingdom must not, in any way, be given by me to the eldest. (01-80-16)
My command was not obeyed by my eldest, Yadu; and one who is hostile to his father is not regarded as a son by the virtuous. (01-80-17)
A son who obeys the commands of his mother and father, is devoted to their welfare, and acts properly, and who conducts himself toward father and mother like a son, is truly a son. (01-80-18)
I was treated with contempt by Yadu and likewise by Turvasu as well. Druhyu and Anu too showed great contempt toward me. (01-80-19)
Pūru fulfilled my word and especially honored me. He is my younger heir, by whom my old age was borne. My desire too was fulfilled by Pūru, who truly acted as a son. (01-80-20)
Śukra, Kāvya Uśanas himself, granted a boon: the son who obeys you shall be king, the lord of the earth. Therefore I beseech you: let Pūru be consecrated in the kingdom. (01-80-21)
The subjects said.
O lord, a son who is virtuous and always devoted to the welfare of his mother and father deserves every blessing, even if he is younger. (01-80-22)
Pūru is worthy of this kingdom, for he is a son who does what is dear to you. Because of Śukra's granting of the boon, no reply can be spoken. (01-80-23)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then, having been thus addressed by the pleased citizens and people of the realm, the descendant of Nahuṣa consecrated Puru, his own son, in his kingdom. (01-80-24)
Having given the kingdom to Pūru and consecrated himself for forest life, the king went forth from the city together with Brahmins and ascetics. (01-80-25)
The Yādavas were born from Yadu; the Yavanas were the sons of Turvasu. The Bhojas were also the sons of Druhyu, and the Mleccha lineages came from Anu. (01-80-26)
Indeed, the Paurava lineage belongs to Pūru, in which you have been born, O king. You are capable of causing this kingdom to be administered for a thousand years. (01-80-27)
