Puru the true heir

Mahabharata Adiparva Sambhavaparva section 77-85

Sri Sadgurbhyoh namah

Devayani daughter of Sukra, the main priest of demons, and Sharmishta, daughter of demon king Vrishaparvan along with their maids were bathing in a river. Indra mixes up their clothes on the bank of river. Sharmishta wears the clotes of Devayani. They have a fight. Sharmista says Sukra sits at a lower level than her father and expects alms to sustain. She throws Devayani in a well and goes off to her kingdom. Yayati lifts Devayani from the well. Sukra threatens demon king that he will leave the Asura(demon) kingdom if they dont make Sharmista as maid servent to Devayani. Vrishaparvan agrees to that as without Sukra's knowledge and science they are nothing in front of Gods. Devayani insists that she is married to Yayati. Sukra gives her in marriage to Yayati along with Sharmishta, but warns Yayati that he should not summon Sharmishta to his bed.

Yayati has two sons with Devayani, and three with Sharmista. 'He breaks the word'. To this Sukra curses him to be old and ugly. Yayati requests his sons to take his oldage and give him their youth.

Elder son Yadu refuses, Yayati curses him that Yadu's progeny will never be kings.

Second son Turvasu refuses, Yayati curses him that his progeny will follow impure practices.

Third son Drahyu refuses, Yayati curses him that his kingdom will have no roads, only rafts.

Fourth son Anu refuses, Yayati curses him that he cannot perform religious acts.

Atlast the fifth son Puru accedes to his request and says "Take my youth and enjoy".

Yayati after enjoying for 1000 years, makes Puru his heir. On being questioned by the four orders about eldest son being overlooked and Puru to be made King, Yayati declares "He is no son, who disobeys his father." To this all the people agreed to Puru to be installed as King.

Yadu's progeny became Yadavas, Turvasu's progeny became Yavanas. Drahyu's progeny became Bhojas. Anu's progeny became Mlechchas.

And Puru's progeny became the much acclaimed pauravas, in whose lineage the King Janamejaya is born.

My Commentary :

A true heir is one who do not disregard their parents.

Peace

Prasad