Yayati and his quest for youth

Apart from the story of the Pandavas and Kauravas, the Mahabharat has many stories in the sequel and prequel structure. They are not necessarily related to the main story but are connected to the whole narrative by way of history, insights or threads. In the Adi parva, there are many stories about the ancestors. Of them, there is an interesting story about King Yayati and his quest for youth.

Yayati was the son of King Nahusha. He became the monarch after his father. With great prowess and virtue, he ruled the whole earth, performed numerous sacrifices, worshipped the ancestors with great reverence, and always respected the gods. He brought the whole world under his sway and was never vanquished by any foe. He had two wives -Devayani and Sarmishtha. Through them, he had five sons Yadu, Turvasu, Drahyu, Anu and Puru .

After a long spell of rule, Yayati was attacked with old age and debility which also made him hideous in appearance. But he had a tremendous desire to remain youthful and enjoy life with full vigour. So, he called his five sons and requested them - O, my dear sons, I wish to remain a young man and gratify my bodily appetites. I seek your help in this regard. "

The eldest son asked - " What do you need father? How can you regain your youth? "

 Yayati then told him- " It is possible if any of you accept this decrepitude of mine, O dear sons and let me have your youth , in exchange for it .The one who takes my old age will rule the kingdom with my body while I will enjoy the fruits of youth through his body ."

 But none of his sons four elder sons were ready for this exchange. They refused him, one by one. Then his youngest son Puru accepted to do so. By virtue of his ascetic powers acquired through a lot of sacrifices and prayers, Yayati then conducted the transfer and regained youth. His son Puru, now became the king.

For many years hence, Yayati remained as strong as a tiger and enjoyed for a long time, the companionship of his two wives. And in the gardens of the Gandharvas, the king also enjoyed the company of the Apsara Viswachi. But even after all this, the great king found his appetites unsatiated. The king, thus became aware of some basic truths as detailed in scriptures.

·        One's appetites are never satiated by enjoyment. On the other hand, like sacrificial butter poured into the fire, they flame up with indulgence.

·        Even if one enjoyed the whole Earth with its wealth, diamonds and gold, animals and women, one may not yet be satiated.

·        It is only when man does not commit any sin in respect of any living thing, in thought, deed, or speech, it is then that he attains purity of the highest order.

·        When one fears nothing, when one is not feared by anything, when one wishes for nothing, when one injures nothing, it is then that one attains such high level of purity.

 The wise monarch truly understood the conundrum of satisfaction and set his mind at rest by meditation. Then he took back the decrepit form from his son and gave him back the youth. He also installed him on the throne and blessed him, saying - " O Puru, you are my true son by whom my race is to be continued. In the world shall my race be known by your name." 

Yayati then retired to the mount of Bhrigu for devoting himself to asceticism. And, having acquired great levels of an ascetic life after many years, he succumbed to the inevitable influence of time. He left his human body by observing the vow of fasting, and ascended to heaven with his wives.