Yayaati is the character of Bhaagvat Puraan but he is mentioned in Mahaabhaarat also. Yayaati was the son of Raajaa Nahush (Pururavaa's grandson). He had two wives - Devayaanee (Daitya Guru Shukraachaaraya Jee's daughter) and Sharmishthaa (Daitya Raaj Vrishparvaa's daughter). He had five sons - two from Devayaanee and three from Sharmishthaa - Yadu and Turvasu from Devayaanee; and Druhyu, Anu, Puru from Sharmishthaa. Among the five sons Yadu was the eldest in whose Vansh Krishn was born (Yaadav Vansh). From Sharmishthaa he had Druhyu, Anu and Puru on whose name Paurav Vansh continued. Thus only Yadu and Puru extended their families. He is said to have a daughter also, named Maadhavee, whom he gave to Gaalav Muni when he came to beg him for 800 white horses each with with one ear black to give them to Vishwaamitra as Guru Dakshinaa. (see Story of Gaalav Muni-2)

Vaishampaayan Jee said - "It has been heard that after some time Yayaati ascended to Heaven, stayed there for a while, then was pushed down to the Earth but he hung in the sky, and after some time he again reached Swarg through efforts of Vasumat (Vasumaan), Ashtak, Pratardan and Shibi." Janamejaya asked - "I wish to know why Yayaati ascended to Heaven and then why he was pushed down from there?" Vaishampaayan Jee said - "Sure, I will tell you. After crowning his son Puru, Yayaati went to forest to pass his life as a hermit. He lived like that for a 1,000 years. Then he passed one year in full silence, living on air and without sleep. Then he passed another year in the midst of Panchaagni (four Agni around and the Sun above head). Then he stood on one leg for another six months. This took the King up to Heaven.

While the King was in Heaven, he was worshipped by everybody there. One day Indra asked him - "O King, When your youngest son took your old age, when you gave him the kingdom?" Yayaati said - "I told him that the region between Gangaa and Yamunaa was his, while the outlying regions were of his brothers. I told him that forgiveness was superior to unforgiving; man is superior to animals; among men learned men are superior to unlearned people; if other person does any wrong, you should not do so; never utter such scorching speech that may pain others; you should disregard other's harsh words; make a wise man your model and try to copy him; there is nothing better than kindness, friendship, charity, sweet speech to worship God."

Indra again asked - "When you practiced austerities, to whom you are equal in austerities?" Yayaati replied - "I do not see any man, Gandharv or Rishi equal to me in austerities." Indra said - Because you have disregarded all who are superior or even equal to you, you must fall from the Heaven." Yayaati said - "If I must fall from here, I should fall among the virtuous and honest people." Indra said - "All right, and then you will not disregard your superiors and even equals after this experience."

Yayaati Meets His Grandsons

As he fell down, he saw Ashtak. Ashtak asked him - "Who are you? You are possessed of so much splendor of Fire, Indra, Yam etc that if you had asked us that who we were, we would never feel guilty of asking you first. Seeing you coming from the path of celestials, we had to ask you the truth. You are among the virtuous and wise people, even Indra cannot harm you here."

Yayaati said - "I am Yayaati, the son of Nahush and the father of Puru. Because of disregarding my superiors, I am falling. I am older than you that is why I have not saluted you first." Ashtak said- "True, The person who is older is worthy to be regarded, but the real superior is he who is superior in learning and ascetic merit." Yayaati said - "It is said that sin destroys the merit of four virtuous acts; vanity leads to Hell; the virtuous never follow the steps of vicious. Who performs virtuous acts with his wealth, who is not proud of his wealth; he goes to Heaven. Destiny is supreme, both power and exertion are fruitless; knowing this one should never grieve for his misery."

Ashtak again asked him - "O King, You are talking like a wise man, tell me which regions you have visited?" Yayaati said - "I was a great king on earth. After leaving it, I went to higher regions and lived there for full 1,000 years, then I went to Indra Lok of 1,000 gates and spread in 100 Yojan. I lived there for 1,000 years and then again went to higher regions - Vishnu Lok where also I lived happily. Assuming any form at will, I lived in Nandan Van (garden) sporting with Apsaraa for a full million years. Then one day, I remember only this much that, a loud voice said - "Ruined, Ruined, Ruined." and I fell from Nandan garden. And when I was falling, I asked them loudly "Where am I falling?" and they pointed out me towards you. I am happy that I have come to you."

Ashtak asked - "You were living with so much comfort, then why did you fall down like this?" Yayaati said - "As the friends and kinsmen forsake that man whose wealth has finished, in the same way in Indra Lok, Indra forsakes those people whose good acts are exhausted." Ashtak asked - "O King, How a man loses his virtue in other worlds, and which acts take a person to which regions?" Yayati said - "When they speak about their own merits they fall in the Hell named Bhaum. Though they are lean in reality, they look grow on Earth (by extending their family - sons and grandsons) only to be eaten by animals; thus this vice should be stopped."

Ashtak again asked - "When life is over by age or animals where one resides, and how does he come back to life? And I have never heard of Bhaum Hell." Yayaati said - "After the life is destroyed, the man again enters the womb of his mother according to his Karm, takes birth and walks on Prithvi. This is Bhaum Hell, here he cannot end his existence and cannot act towards his Moksh. After living for 60,000 or 80,000 years they fall in Hell. When they fall they are attacked by Raakshas in the form of sons and grandsons etc and do not think about their Moksh." Ashtak asked - "For what sins they fall on Earth?" Yayaati answered - "After falling from Heaven, they live in a water like substance, this water becomes semen, then they enter in the womb of mother, become visible, grow and come out of the womb to live on Earth. This is the case with all creatures that you see. "

Ashtak said - "Please remove my one more doubt that whether this human being enters the womb in his own form or in some other form? And how does he get this shape?" Yayaati said - "The man enters in his subtle form like a seed in the womb to attract the atmospheric forces for the purpose of rebirth. When he comes out of the womb, he becomes conscious of his existence as a human being with his senses. It is thus a gross body is developed from subtle body." Ashtak again asked - "After a body is burned, and is reduced to ashes, by what principle it is revived?" Yayaati replied - "The man, after dying, takes a subtle form and retaining consciousness of all of his actions in his dream, he assumes some other form which can move faster than the air. The virtuous attains a superior form and a vicious attains an inferior form of existence. What more you want to know?"

Ashtak asked - "How people attain those regions from where they do not come back? Is it by asceticism or by knowledge?" Yayaati said - "The wise say, "There are seven gate for men by hich they can enter Heaven - asceticism, benevolence, tranquility of mind, self command, modesty, simplicity, and kindness to all creatures. They also say that a person loses all these qualities if he becomes proud. The man who has only acquired knowledge considers himself learned; and with his learning he disregards others can never attain these regions. That knowledge also cannot help to attain the Brahm Lok. Study, taciturnity, worship before fire and sacrifices make a man fearless. But when they are mixed with vanity they cause fear. A wise should never be happy at honors and grieve on insults. "I have studied so much..., I have given so much..." etc are the roots of fear."

Ashtak said - "Who know Ved differ as how to live in four stages of life - Brahmcharya, Grihasth, Vaanprasth, and Sanyaas, to acquire religious merits." Yayaati said - "A Brahmchaaree should take lessons from his Guru when he is asked to take them. He should always be present in his service even before asked for it. He should sleep after his Guru has slept, and wake up before his Guru has woke up. He should be humble, patient, under his full control, vigilant and devoted to his studies. A Grihasth should acquire wealth by fair means, should perform sacrifices, should always make some charity, should always be hospitable, and should never use anything without giving to others. A Muni, Vaanprasthee need not to go forest, depending on his strength should abstain from all kinds of vices, should give away something in charity, and should never harm any creature. A true Bhikshu (Sanyaasee) is he who does not support himself with any manual method, has complete control over his passions, does not sleep under anybody's roof, is without wife, goes very little everyday but goes for long parts of the country, and dies in woods."

Ashtak asked - "How many kinds of Muni (observers of silence) are there?" Yayaati said - "He is Muni who living in forest has an inhabited area nearby; or living in an inhabited area has area nearby. A Muni withdraws himself from all worldly pleasures and lives in forest. He never wishes to surround himself with worldly objects, but procures them by his ascetic powers. Such man lives in forest with inhabited place nearby.  Who wears scanty clothes and subsists on just minimum food to survive. Such man can live in a house with forest nearby."

Ashtak asked - "Who amongst the man of knowledge or ascetic powers attains Brahm first?" Yayaati said - "The man with knowledge ascertaining the world as illusion, instantly realizes the Supreme Spirit. While Yogee take sometime to obtain the same knowledge, because by practice only these people obtain consciousness of quality, and practice takes time. That is why wise attain the salvation first. On the contrary if the Yogee doesn't find time to practice, he attains it in his next life. But the man of knowledge, though steeped in worldly enjoyments, never attaches to them by heart, that is why nothing stops him to attain Moksh."

Ashtak again asked - "You are handsome, you are knowledgeable, from where have you come and where are you going to? Whose messenger are you?" Yayaati said - "After my religious merits are exhausted, I have fallen from Swarg. I will go there again when my discourse to you is finished. I have boon from Indra that I should fall among the wise, so I think all of you who are sitting here are wise." Ashtak asked - "You seem to know everything, tell me are there any regions for me to enjoy? If there are any, you will not fall." Yayaati said - "Oh, There are as many regions for you to enjoy as there are animals on this Earth." Ashtak said - "O King, Then I give you all those regions to you. Thus though falling, you will not fall. Take them all and be free from sorrow." Yayati said - "Only Brahm-knowing Braahman can accept the gift, not a person like myself. I myself have given so many things to Braahman, I have never accpted anything before, how can I accept any gift now?"

Pratardan who was sitting nearby said - "My name is Pratardan. How many regions are there for me to enjoy? You know everything." Yayaati said - "Oh so many that even if you live in them only for seven days each, they will not be exhausted." He said - "Then I give all of them to you, so that you don't fall. Take them soon and go there." Yayaati said - "No king should accept any gift from another king who has acquired it by austerities. No king should act so meanly as you are advising me. When others who desire for religious merits do not accept gifts, then how can I accept what they themselves do not accept."

At this Vasumat (at other place in MBH his name is given as Vasumaan) spoke - "My name is Vasumat. I am the son of Oshadaashwa (at the same place in MBH, read Gaalav Muni's story, his name is given as Haryaashwa). Since you know everything, are there any regions for me to enjoy in the sky?" Yayaati said - "Yes, There are many regions." Vasumat said - "Then I give you all of them. Let those regions be yours. Thus though falling, you will not fall. If you don't want to accept gift, buy them for a straw." Yayaati said - "I do not remember anything bought or sold unfairly. When other kings have not done this, how can I do this?" Vasumat said - "If you regard buying improper, then take them as gold from me. For myself, I can say that I will never go to those regions. Let them be yours from now."

At this Shivi said - "My name is Shivi. I am the son of Usheenar. Tell me are there any regions for me there to enjoy?" Yayaati said - "You have never disregarded anybody by speech or mind. There are limitless worlds for you to enjoy." Shivi said - "If you think buying improper, then just take all of them from me, I will never ask them back from you." Yayaati said - "O Shivi, You have earned those regions for yourself, but I do not desire to enjoy regions give to me by others. I do not accept gifts."

At this Ashtak spoke - "We all have given you our regions,  but you re not accepting them. We will leave them for you and live on Earth Hell." Yayaati said - "You all are truth loving, and wise. Give me that which I deserve, I will not be able to do anything which I have never done before."

Ashtak asked - "Which are those five golden airplanes? Do people of great bliss ride in them?" Yayaati said - "They are the celestial planes which will take you to those great regions." Ashtak said - "You go alone, we will follow you later." Yayaati said - "We all can go together, all of us have conquered Heaven."

Vaishampaayan Jee said - So all those went to Heaven riding in those planes. Ashtak said - "I always thought Indra as my special friend, and I will enter Heaven first, but how come that Shivi has left us behind?" Yayaati said - "this Usheenar's son has given everything he possessed to attain the region of Brahm, that is why he the first among us all. Besides Shivi's virtues are so limitless, that none can measure them." Ashtak again asked - "O King, Who you are? Whose son you are? Is there any other Braahman or Kshatriiya who has done this before what you have done?

Yayaati said - "I am Yayaati, son of Nahush and the father of Puru. You are my relatives. I am your maternal grandfather. I have given so much that both the Earth and sky exist owing to my truth and virtue. Whatever I have spoken, has never been untrue." Vaishampaayan Jee said - "It was thus that Yayaati ascended to Heaven again.

According to Padm Puraan
Once Indra invited Yayaati to Heaven, He sent his Saarathee Maatali to bring him. On the way they had some philosophical discussion which made such an impression on Yayaati that he must exempt his public from passion and death. After some time Yam complained to Indra that now no man was dying on the Earth. Hearing this Indra sent Kaam Dev and his daughter Ashrubindumatee to excite a passion in Yayaati's heart. He got affected and he begged the youth from his sons. All his sons refused to give him their youth, but Puru. Then Puru's young wife, instigated by Indra persuaded her husband to go to Heaven and then Indra restored his youth.

End of the Story of Yayaati