Shukracharya Katha – Chapter 5: Yayāti's Curse and Salvation

Yayati's Curse and Deliverance

After the formal end of the love story of Devayani and Kacha, Devayani's heart was filled with sorrow. She knew that Kacha had returned to the path of destiny. Meanwhile, King Yayati, renowned for his valor and righteousness, arrived at Devayani's hermitage one day while hunting in the forest.

Yayati's Infatuation

In the serene greenery of the forest, Devayani sat on a rock, contemplating her destiny. Her beauty was such as if a celestial nymph herself had descended to earth. Yayati, who was full of the beauty of his youth, was captivated upon seeing Devayani. An unknown attraction welled up in his eyes, and his heart was filled with love. Yayati took hold of his bow and humbly approached Devayani, introducing himself.

"Goddess, I am King Yayati, and my destiny has brought me to behold you today. Your beauty is as radiant as the rays of the sun. May I know who you are and what you are doing alone in this forest?" Yayati said, looking into Devayani's eyes. Devayani looked at the king and, revealing her identity, also described her state of mind. She said, "Rajan, I am Devayani, the daughter of Shukracharya. My mind is troubled by the separation from Kacha, hence I am sitting here in solitude."

Shukracharya's Curse

Love blossomed between Yayati and Devayani, and they got married. Shukracharya agreed to his daughter's marriage but gave Yayati a strict condition: "Rajan, you may indeed marry Devayani, but you will never have relations with my maidservant Sharmishtha." Yayati accepted Shukracharya's condition and they joyfully completed the marriage. For some years, Yayati followed Shukracharya's command, but with time, he became infatuated with Sharmishtha's beauty and virtues. One day, in a moment of weakness, Yayati had relations with Sharmishtha. When Devayani learned of this, she was filled with anger and told her father Shukracharya everything.

Shukracharya became enraged and immediately cursed Yayati with old age. "Yayati, you have violated my command! You have broken my trust! Your youth, which is so dear to you, will now be snatched away from you. You will instantly become old!" Shukracharya shouted in anger. Under the effect of Shukracharya's curse, youth faded in an instant, and Yayati became old. His body became frail, and wrinkles appeared on his face.

Donation of Sons

Yayati was extremely distressed by his old age. He remembered his youth and wished to become young again. Then he remembered Shukracharya's words that if a son donated his youth, he could become young again. Yayati called his five sons and asked them to donate their youth. First, he pleaded with his eldest son Yadu, but Yadu refused. After that, he requested his other sons one by one, but none of them heeded his plea, except for the youngest son Puru. Puru understood his father's sorrow and was willing to donate his youth. Seeing Puru's sacrifice, Yayati's heart was filled with gratitude. He embraced Puru and blessed him. By receiving Puru's youth, Yayati became young again and ruled happily for many years.