Shloka 54
Śukra’s Ultimatum and Devayānī’s Demand (शुक्र-प्रतिज्ञा तथा देवयानी-वर-याचना)
इत्यवेक्ष्य महाप्राज्ञ: कामानां फल्गुतां नृप । समाधाय मनो बुद्धया प्रत्यगृह्नाज्जरां सुतात्
ity avekṣya mahāprājñaḥ kāmānāṃ phalgutāṃ nṛpa | samādhāya mano buddhyā pratyagṛhṇāj jarāṃ sutāt ||
So betrachtete der König — von großer Weisheit — die Hohlheit der Sinnesbegierden. Mit klarem Verstehen festigte er Geist und Gemüt und nahm von seinem Sohn das Alter an, indem er innere Sammlung und Entsagung den flüchtigen Freuden vorzog.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Sense-desires are ultimately hollow; true wisdom lies in steadying the mind through discernment and choosing long-term ethical and spiritual good over short-lived gratification.
After reflecting on the futility of pleasures, the king composes his mind and accepts old age from his son—an act that signals a deliberate turn toward renunciation and inner discipline.