Yayati 1- Life After Death

(1) Caught red-handed! After Sharmishta told Shukra That I fathered her child I had nothing more to say. I had cheated his daughter My wife, Devayani! No father would tolerate. I stood before him My head bowed Not out of any feeling of guilt. (2) Sharmishta had attracted me On the day I saw her first As personal maid to Devayani. Much more attractive- After all she was the princess And Devayani, daughter of Aacharya. (3) Shukraacharya raged and ranted 'In lust, you went astray To father a child with the maid. No, I would not allow you die- Now you would turn a thousand years old And live another thousand years.' He, the Aacharya. His curse could burn All the fourteen worlds into ashes In a split second. What of me! Instantly, turned gray even my eye- brows Barely able to stand erect Let alone walk.Skin turned scaly. (4) Who would sleep with me Though I am King emperor? And I wanted to enjoy life. I fell at Aacharya's feet Weeping like a baby who lost his favourite toy; Begging pardon. Shukra kicked at my crowned head 'Get Lost', he shouted. I, the King Emperor lay on the floor Before him, for eons. Wept. Finally, when he got up to leave muttered something, inaudible. I look at my elderly minister 'Sire, you can exchange your old-age With a youth who would accept it. That is what the Aacharya said'.