Shloka 17
ययातिदौहित्रपुण्यसमुच्चयः | Yayāti and the Grandsons’ Consolidation of Merit
ययातिरुवाच ययातिरस्मि राजर्षि: क्षीणपुण्यश्ष्युतो दिव: । पतेयं सत्स्विति ध्यायन् भवत्सु पतितस्तत:
yayātir uvāca—yayātir asmi rājarṣiḥ kṣīṇapuṇyaś cyuto divaḥ | pateyaṃ satsv iti dhyāyan bhavatsu patitas tataḥ ||
قال يَياَتي: «أنا يَياَتي، رِشيٌّ ملكيّ (راجَرْشي). لما نَفِدَ رصيدي من الفضل سقطتُ من السماء. وبينما كنتُ أهوي، ظلّ فكري يدور حول هذا الرجاء: “ليتني أسقط بين الأخيار.” فلذلك هبطتُ إلى هنا، في وسطكم.»
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Merit gained by good deeds is finite when tied to reward; when it is exhausted, even heavenly status ends. Hence one should value dharma and, especially at moments of decline, seek the company of the virtuous (sat-saṅga), which supports right conduct and inner clarity beyond temporary rewards.
Yayāti identifies himself as a rājarṣi who has fallen from heaven because his accumulated puṇya has run out. While descending, he forms a deliberate wish to land among good people; accordingly, he finds himself in the presence of the virtuous listeners addressed here.