King Yayati's Untimely Old Age Curse

Srimad Bhagavatam - King Yayati's Untimely Old Age Curse   

Why did King Yayati earn an untimely curse of old age? Who cursed him and under what circumstances? What was the remedy?

After being rescued by King Yayati, Devayani returned to her father and narrated how Sarmistha accused her and finally pushed her into the well.

Shukracharya was ashamed of his profession as priest (guru) and decided to move out of the city with her daughter, Devayani. 

Vrsaparva, the Demon Chief, immediately called upon his guru Shukracharya and requested him to remain with him. 

Shukracharya politely told Vrsaparva to accept Devayani’s demands. Devayani said, “Sarmistha and her companions must serve me in my husband's house”.

King Yayati was warned by Shukracharya that he should never share his bed with Sarmistha. 

In due course, Devayani had two sons, Yadu and Turvasu. However, the deprived Sarmistha approached King Yayati secretly and expressed her desire to have progeny through him. The King felt the request was genuine, though he was fully aware of the warning given by Shukracharya.  

Sarmistha had three sons Druhyu, Anu, and Puru. When Devayani became aware of this relationship, she promptly informed her father. Shukracharya was angry and cursed his son-in-law King Yayati of old age. 

King Yayati requested Shukracharya to take back the curse as he desires to spend youthful days with his daughter. Shukracharya said that though the curse cannot be taken back, it can be exchanged with someone who is willing to accept it.

Yadu, the eldest son of King Yayati, declined to accept the proposal made by his father. The other three sons of the King, Turvasy, Druhyu, and Anu too declined to accept old age. 

Puru, though the youngest, willingly accepted his father’s request. After many years, King Yayati realized that desires of sense organs are insatiable. 

Finally, he gave back youth to his son, Puru, and as a gratitude appointed him as the Emperor while his other sons were made rulers of different quarters. 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana