Yayati Justifies Passing the Kingdom to Youngest Son Puru

The assembly fell silent. King Yayati had just declared his intention: he would instate his youngest son, Puru, as the next king. The four varnas (social orders), led by the Brahmanas, immediately objected. "O lord!" they said. "How can you instate Puru, overlooking your eldest son Yadu? Yadu is Sharmishtha's son and Shukra's grandson. He is your firstborn. After him comes Turvasu, then Druhyu, then Anu, and only then Puru. How is it proper to pass over the elders and instate the youngest? In accordance with dharma, which you uphold, we must bring this to your attention." Yayati listened. Then he replied, his voice carrying across the hall. "Listen, everyone, as to why the kingdom cannot be given to my eldest son. My commands were disobeyed by Yadu. It is the opinion of the learned that a son who acts counter to his father's wishes is no son at all. A true son is one who follows the words of his mother and father for their welfare. He is a son who acts like a son." He named them one by one. "Yadu has slighted me. So has Turvasu. I have been extremely slighted by Druhyu and by Anu. Puru is the only one who has specially followed my commands and respected me. Though he is the youngest, he accepted my old age." This was the heart of it. When Yayati, cursed with premature aging, had asked his sons to exchange their youth for his decay, only Puru had agreed without condition. "Puru is like my true son; he did what I desired." Then Yayati invoked a higher authority. "Kavya Ushanas Shukra himself granted me a boon: the son who followed my instructions would become the king and rule the earth. Therefore, I ask all of you to allow Puru to be instated." The people considered his words. The logic was sound, and a divine boon settled the matter. "It is true," they conceded. "A son who has all the qualities and always seeks the welfare of his mother and father, who respects them, deserves to be the lord—even if he is the youngest. Since Shukra has granted this boon, there is nothing more we can say." With the consent of the citizens, Yayati, Nahusha's son, formally instated Puru as king.