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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 9: Chapter 18: Verses 31-44
The story of Yayati
Perceiving on a certain occasion Devayani (Usana's daughter) blessed with a son. Sarmistha (too) who was leading a chaste life, sought during the period favourable for conception the bed in seclusion of the very husband of her friend (Devayani), (with a longing to be similarly blessed with progeny). Solicited by the princess for progeny and considering it a sacred duty (to grant her prayer), Emperor Yayati (who knew what was right) sought her embrace as something ordained by destiny itself (and not through concupiscence), even though recollecting in time the warning of Sukracarya. Devayani duly gave birth to Yadu and Turvasu as well, while Sarmistha, the daughter of Vrsaparva, bore Druhyu and Anu and Puru. Overwhelmed with rage on concluding that Sarmistha (the daughter of the Asura king) too had conceived through her (own) husband, the haughty Devayani went away to her father's house. Having followed his darling, the uxorious Yayati tried to reconcile her with blandishments, as well as by kneading her feet and other such devices, but could not please her. The angry Sukracarya said to the king, "O fool !O liar, hankering after women !! Let old age, which disfigures a man, overtake you." Yayati Submitted : I am unsated till today with sensuous enjoyments in the company o your daughter, O holy Brahmana! (Sukracarya replied) old age may be exchanged (by you) at will with the youth of any other who may voluntarily accept it. Having obtained a solution (of his problem) in this form, Yayati (returned to his capital and) said to his eldest son, ;; Yadu dear, take this old age (of mine), brought about by (the curse of) your grandfather (mother's father, Sukracarya) and part with your own youth, my darling! (for) I am not yet satiated with the pleasures of sense and intend to revel some (more) years with (the help of) your youth. Yadu replied: i have no courage to (accept and) live with your old age, got (by you) in the middle of your life.. (For) having not (actually) tasted the vulgar pleasures a man does not attain to desirelessness. Though urged by their father, Turvasu and Druhuyu and anu the transient (body etc) as etersnal. (Now) Yayati asked his son, Puru- who, though youngest in age, was superior in point of virtues- and added, Dear one ! like your elder brothers you should not refuse me. Puru replied : As a matter of fact, what man in this world, O ruler of men ! can requite his father , the procreator of this body, by whose grace he can attain the highest (object of his life)? The best son is he who accomplishes (in anticipation) whatever is expected by his father (without waiting to be told what is wanted by him). A mediocore son is he who does (only) that which he is (expressly) told to . The lowest is he who does his father's bidding with irreverence; while he who refuses to do his bidding is (no more than) the refuse of his father.
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