Yayati

Who Yayati is

Yayati, son of Nahusha, was a king of the lunar dynasty who married Devayani, daughter of Shukracharya, and also had sons with Sharmishtha. Cursed by Shukracharya with old age, he asked his sons to take it from him, and only the youngest, Puru, agreed. After long years of enjoyment he realised that desire is never quenched by indulgence but only grows like fire fed with ghee, so he returned Puru’s youth and made him his heir.

“I have tasted every pleasure in my long life. Let us see whether I have learned anything.”

How Yayati plays chess

Grabs every pawn and pleasure on offer early on, then learns, sometimes painfully, to give material back for something wiser.

The Dynamo: Restless, active pieces everywhere — will give up structure for initiative.

Opening repertoire: Danish Gambit Accepted · Queen's Gambit Accepted

Defeat Yayati in a full game from the normal starting position to earn the achievement Na Jatu Kamah and open the way to the next guardian.

Sources

• Mahabharata, Adi Parva
• Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 9

Placement on the path reflects chess difficulty only — a game-design choice, not a ranking of anyone's spiritual standing.