Shukra Curses Yayati with Premature Old Age
Devayani tells her father, the sage Shukra, that King Yayati has fathered sons with her servant. Shukra curses Yayati with instant old age for his deception. In a partial reprieve, Yayati is told he may transfer his decrepitude to a willing son.
King Yayati followed Devayani, alarmed, trying to pacify her wrath. But she would not return. Her eyes were red with anger, and she did not speak a word to him. She soon reached her father, Kavya Ushanas—the sage Shukra—and paid him homage. Yayati followed and did the same.
Devayani laid out her case. “Evil has won over dharma. The inferior have ascended and the superior brought down. I have been overtaken by Sharmishtha, Vrishaparva’s daughter. This king, Yayati, has fathered three sons through that wretched woman. But I have got only two sons. O descendant of the Bhrigu lineage! This king is famous for his knowledge of dharma. O Kavya! Nevertheless, I tell you that he has crossed the threshold.”
Shukra turned his gaze on the king. “O great king! You know dharma well. Yet, you have committed sin for the sake of pleasure. Therefore, invincible old age will soon oppress you.”
Yayati defended himself. “O illustrious one! The daughter of the lord of the danavas begged me to make her season bear fruit. It was with that thought, and no other, that I did what I thought was right. Those who know the brahman say that a man who is asked by a woman for the fruition of her season must grant her wish. Otherwise, he commits the sin of killing an embryo. A man who refuses when a desiring woman privately solicits him, is called a killer of an embryo by the learned. O descendant of the Bhrigu lineage! It is for these reasons, concerned about committing a sin, that I went to Sharmishtha.”
His argument was from dharma: to refuse a woman seeking conception was a grave sin. He had acted to prevent a greater wrong.
Shukra was unmoved. “O king! You are dependent on me. You should have awaited my instructions. O son of Nahusha! By committing a falsehood, you have become a thief in the eyes of dharma.”
The curse was for the deception, for living a lie in the household of the one who had granted him everything. Being thus cursed by the angry Ushanas, Yayati, son of Nahusha, was instantly deprived of his youth. Old age—wrinkled skin, failing strength—overcame him in a moment.
Yayati pleaded. “O descendant of the Bhrigu lineage! I am not yet satiated with Devayani’s youth. O Brahmana! Therefore, show me mercy and let old age not overcome me now.”
Shukra replied, “I never utter a falsehood. O ruler of the earth! You have been instantly attacked by old age. But if you wish, you can transfer this old age to another.”
A path, however strange, was offered. Yayati seized it. “O Brahmana! Then agree to this. A son of mine who will grant me his youth will enjoy my kingdom, my merit and my fame.”
Shukra gave his consent. “O son of Nahusha! If you think of me, you will be able to transfer your old age to whomsoever you wish. No evil will befall you from that. The son who will give you his youth will become the king. He will have a long life and numerous offspring and will attain fame.”