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 ||
যযাতি বললেন— “আমি রাজর্ষি যযাতি। পুণ্য ক্ষয় হওয়ায় স্বর্গ থেকে পতিত হয়েছি। পতনের সময় মনে এই ভাবই ছিল— ‘সজ্জনদের মধ্যেই যেন পতিত হই।’ তাই তোমাদের মাঝেই এসে পড়েছি।”
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.