A King, Two Wives, and a Forbidden Love
King Yayāti, a powerful ruler from the Lunar Dynasty (Chandravaṅśa), was first married to Devayānī, the daughter of the great sage Śukra. But their marriage had a shadow—Devayānī’s friend Sharmiṣṭhā, a princess herself, had once quarreled with her and ended up as her maid as part of an old grudge.
Yet fate had other plans.
Despite this arrangement, Yayāti fell in love with Sharmiṣṭhā and secretly married her too. When Devayānī discovered the betrayal, she revealed everything to her father, Śukra.
Śukra’s response was fierce. He cursed Yayāti to lose his youth and become prematurely old, a punishment that changed the course of history.
The Curse and a Strange Bargain
Terrified of old age, Yayāti begged for mercy. Śukra offered him a unique way out: he could swap his old age with one of his sons’ youth—if they agreed.
So Yayāti approached his five sons: Yadu, Turvasu, Druhyu, Anu, and Puru. He asked each one to give up their youth in exchange for the throne.
The Four Refusals and Their Consequences
Each of the elder sons refused—and were cursed in return:
- Yadu, the eldest, declined. Yayāti cursed that Yadu’s lineage would never inherit the central kingdom.
- Turvasu refused next and was told his descendants would turn away from dharma.
- Druhyu also rejected his father and was cursed that none of his desires would come true.
- Anu laughed at the idea. Yayāti cursed that his descendants would die young.
Puru’s Selfless Act and the Throne
Only Puru, the youngest, agreed.
He took on Yayāti’s old age so that his father could enjoy youth once more. Yayāti blessed him, saying:
“Your descendants will rule over my kingdom for generations.”
After enjoying pleasures for a thousand years, Yayāti realized that desire can never be fulfilled by indulging it.
He returned to Puru, gave back his youth, and retired to the forest to live a life of renunciation.
The Five Lineages and Their Legacy
Yadu – The Yādavas (Krishna’s Clan)
- Refused to help Yayāti.
- Became a powerful warrior race but could never claim the main throne.
- Famous Descendants: Lord Krishna and Balarāma.
- Modern Locations: Mathurā (Uttar Pradesh), Dwārkā (Gujarat).
Though Krishna was revered as Dwārkādhīsh (Lord of Dwārkā), he never became an emperor of the central kingdom. This was the lasting impact of Yayāti’s curse. Despite his divinity and greatness, Krishna could never wear the imperial crown.
Turvasu – Ancestors of Foreign Tribes
- Seen as founders of non-Vedic (Mleccha) clans.
- Linked to the Yavanas (possibly early Greeks or Turks).
- Modern Locations: Balochistan, parts of South India.
Druhyu – Lords of Gandhāra
- Ancestors of Gandhāra and warrior clans like the Bhojas.
- Famous Descendants: King Shakuni.
- Modern Locations: Kandahar, Peshawar (Afghanistan/Pakistan).
Anu – Frontier Rulers
- Gave rise to tribes like Madras, Kekayas, Śibis.
- Modern Locations: Punjab, Kashmir, and surrounding regions.
Puru – The True Heir and Father of the Kurus
- Accepted Yayāti’s curse, earned the throne.
- Ancestor of King Bharata (India’s namesake) and King Kuru.
- Famous Descendants: Pandavas and Kauravas.
- Modern Locations: Haryana, Delhi, and North India.
The Kuru Dynasty, which ruled from Hastināpura, came directly from Puru’s line. It was this dynasty that held the central kingdom, as Yayāti had wished. Their power shaped the Mahābhārata and Indian history alike.
A Myth That Mirrors History
Texts like the Mahābhārata, Bhāgavata Purāṇa, and Vishnu Purāṇa describe Yayāti’s story not just as a family drama—but as the origin of India’s great ancient tribes. Each of his sons is linked to specific regions and people across the subcontinent.
- Yadu ➔ Yādavas
- Turvasu ➔ Yavanas
- Druhyu ➔ Gandhāras
- Anu ➔ Madras & Kekayas
- Puru ➔ Pauravas & Kurus
Even today, these names echo in India’s mythic geography.
Key Takeaways
- Desire grows with indulgence – true wisdom lies in knowing when to stop.
- Selflessness is power – Puru’s sacrifice changed dynastic destiny.
- Lineage defines legacy – but character decides greatness.
Conclusion
- Yayāti’s story blends myth, history, and philosophy. It explains the roots of Indian civilization through a dramatic family saga—and reminds us that virtue is more powerful than status.
- Although Lord Krishna was one of the most powerful and divine figures in the Yadu lineage, he never sat on the imperial throne. Instead, he ruled over Dvārakā as Dwārkādhīsh (Lord of Dvārakā), not as an emperor of the central kingdom.
This was the direct outcome of Yayāti’s curse—that Yadu’s descendants, no matter how great, would never become supreme rulers. - Meanwhile, it was Puru’s lineage, through his selfless act, that became the Kuru Dynasty—the royal house of Hastināpura, and the rightful rulers of North India. From this line came Bharata, Kuru, Bhīṣma, the Pāṇḍavas, and Kauravas.
Final Thought
Yayāti’s story blends myth, history, and moral insight. It explains why Krishna, despite his greatness, was never crowned emperor, and how Puru’s selfless act gave rise to India’s most powerful royal dynasty.
In the choices of these five sons, we see the origin of nations. And in Puru’s humility, the birth of kingship.
“Sometimes the youngest, most unlikely among us—like Puru—can change the fate of an entire world.”
