Chapter 86

“Vaisampayana said, ‘King Yayati, the son of Nahusha, having thusinstalled his dear son on the throne, became exceedingly happy, andentered into the woods to lead the life of a hermit.

And having lived forsome time into forest in the company of Brahmanas, observing many rigidvows, eating fruits and roots, patiently bearing privations of all sorts,the monarch at last ascended to heaven. And having ascended to heaven helived there in bliss. But soon, however, he was hurled down by Indra. Andit hath been heard by me, O king, that, though hurled from heaven,Yayati, without reaching the surface of the Earth, stayed in thefirmament. I have heard that some time after he again entered the regionof the celestials in company with Vasuman, Ashtaka, Pratarddana, andSivi.’

“Janamejaya said, ‘I desire to hear from thee in detail why Yayati,having first obtained admission into heaven, was hurled therefrom, andwhy also he gained re-admittance. Let all this, O Brahmana, be narratedby thee in the presence of these regenerate sages. Yayati, lord of Earth,was, indeed, like the chief of the celestials. The progenitor of theextensive race of the Kurus, he was of the splendour of the Sun. I desireto hear in full the story of his life both in heaven and on Earth, as hewas illustrious, and of world-wide celebrity and of wonderfulachievements.’

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Indeed, I shall recite to thee the excellent storyof Yayati’s adventures on Earth and in heaven. That story is sacred anddestroyeth the sins of those that hear it.

“King Yayati, the son of Nahusha, having installed his youngest son,Puru, on the throne after casting his sons with Yadu for their eldestamongst the Mlechchhas, entered the forest to lead the life of a hermit.And the king eating fruits and roots lived for some time in the forest.Having his mind and passions under complete control, the king gratifiedby sacrifices the Pitris and the gods. And he poured libations ofclarified butter upon the fire according to the rites prescribed forthose leading the Vanaprastha mode of life. And the illustrious oneentertained guests and strangers with the fruit of the forest andclarified butter, while he himself supported life by gleaning scatteredcorn seeds. And the king; led this sort of life for a full thousandyears. And observing the vow of silence and with mind under completecontrol he passed one full year, living upon air alone and without sleep.And he passed another year practising the severest austerities in themidst of four fires around and the Sun overhead. And, living upon airalone, he stood erect upon one leg for six months. And the king of sacreddeeds ascended to heaven, covering heaven as well as the Earth (with thefame of his achievements).'”