Yayati, sometimes spelt Yayathi, was the fifth king of the Lunar Race and the son of King Nahush. He had two wives, Devayani and Sarmishta. Princes Yadu and Turvasu were born to him from Devayani and Druhu, Anu and Puru from Sarmishta. A man of passionate nature, Yayati's infidelity to Devayani brought upon him the curse of old age and infirmity from her father, Shukracharya. This vile curse was accepted by Puru, who undertook to give up his youth in his father's favour.
Yayati, after revelling for a thousand years spent in sensual pleasures, renounced sensuality, restored his youth and vigour to Puru, and made him his successor. He then retired to the forest to lead a life devoted to god.
The descendants of Puru were called Pauravas, the
Kauravas and
Pandavas came from the Pauravas.
