Shloka 45
Śukra’s Ultimatum and Devayānī’s Demand (शुक्र-प्रतिज्ञा तथा देवयानी-वर-याचना)
एवमुक्त: स राजर्षिस्तपोवीर्यसमाश्रयात् । संचारयामास जरां तदा पुत्रे महात्मनि,पुरुके ऐसा कहनेपर राजर्षि ययातिने तप और वीर्यके आश्रयसे अपनी वृद्धावस्थाका अपने महात्मा पुत्र पूरुमें संचार कर दिया
evaṃ uktaḥ sa rājarṣis tapovīrya-samāśrayāt | sañcārayāmāsa jarāṃ tadā putre mahātmani pūrau ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: So angesprochen, stützte sich jener königliche Weise (Yayāti) auf die aus tapas (Askese) und männlicher Kraft geborene Macht und übertrug daraufhin sein eigenes Alter auf seinen edlen Sohn Pūru.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the potency of tapas (ascetic power) to effect extraordinary changes, while inviting ethical reflection on responsibility: fulfilling personal desire by transferring suffering (old age) to another—even a willing son—creates a moral tension between desire, duty, and rightful conduct (dharma).
After being spoken to (in context, following the sons’ responses), King-sage Yayāti uses the power of his austerities and vigor to shift his own senescence (jarā) into his son Pūru, thereby regaining youth for himself while Pūru accepts the burden of old age.