English Comprehension Quiz for IBPS Clerk Prelims 2015

Emperor Yayati was one of the
ancestors of the Pandavas. He had never known defeat. He followed the dictates
of the shastras, adored the gods and venerated his ancestors with intense
devotion. He became famous as a ruler devoted to the welfare of his subjects.
But he became prematurely old by the curse of Sukracharya for having wronged
his wife Devayani. In the words of the poet of the Mahabharata: “Yayati
attained that old age which destroys beauty and brings on miseries.” It is
needless to describe the misery of youth suddenly blighted into age, where the
horrors of loss are accentuated by
pangs of recollection. Yayati, who found himself suddenly an old man, was still
haunted by the desire for sensual enjoyment. He had five beautiful sons, all
virtuous and accomplished. Yayati called them and appealed piteously to their
affection: “The curse of your grandfather Sukracharya has made me unexpectedly
and prematurely old. I have not had my fill of the joys of life; for not
knowing what was in store for me, I lived a life of restraint denying myself even lawful pleasures. One of you ought to
bear the burden of my old age and give his youth in return. He who agrees to
this and bestows his youth on me will be the ruler of my kingdom. I desire to
enjoy life in the full vigour of
youth.” He first asked his eldest son. That son replied: “O great king, women
and servants will mock at me if I were to take upon myself your old age. I
cannot do so. Ask of my younger brothers who are dearer to you than myself.”
When the second son was approached, he gently refused with the words: “Father,
you ask me to take up old age which destroys not only strength and beauty but
also – as I see – wisdom. I am not strong enough to do so.” The third son
replied: “An old man cannot ride a horse or an elephant. His speech will
falter. What can I do in such a helpless plight? I cannot agree.” The king was
angry and disappointed that his three sons had declined to do as he wished, but he hoped for better from his
fourth son, to whom he said: “You should take up my old age. If you exchange
your youth with me, I shall give it back to you after some time and take back
the old age with which I have been cursed.” The fourth son begged to be
forgiven as this was a thing he could by no means consent to. An old man had to
seek the help of others even to keep his body clean, a most pitiful plight. No,
much as he loved his father he could not do it. Yayati was struck with sorrow
at the refusal of the four sons. Still, hoping against hope, he supplicated his
last son, who had never yet opposed his wishes: “You must save me. I am
afflicted with this old age with its wrinkles, debility and grey hairs as a
result of the curse of Sukracharya. It is too hard a trial! If you will take
upon yourself these infirmities, I
shall enjoy life for just a while more and then give you back your youth and
resume my old age and all its sorrows. Pray, do not refuse as your elder
brothers have done.” Puru, the youngest son, moved by filial love, said:
“Father, I gladly give you my youth and relieve you of the sorrows of old age
and cares of State. Be happy.” Hearing these words Yayati embraced him. As soon
as he touched his son, Yayati became a youth. Puru, who accepted the old age of
his father, ruled the kingdom and acquired great renown.