Shloka 16
ययातिदौहित्रपुण्यसमुच्चयः | Yayāti and the Grandsons’ Consolidation of Merit
यक्षो वाप्यथवा देवो गन्धर्वो राक्षसो5पि वा । न हि मानुषरूपो5सि को वार्थ: काडुक्ष्यते त्वया
yakṣo vāpy athavā devo gandharvo rākṣaso 'pi vā | na hi mānuṣa-rūpo 'si ko vārthaḥ kāṅkṣyate tvayā ||
Sie fragten den strahlenden König, dessen göttlicher Glanz die versammelten Herrscher blendete: „Wer bist du? Wessen Verwandter bist du, und in welchem Land und welcher Stadt wohnst du? Bist du ein Yakṣa, ein Gott, ein Gandharva oder gar ein Rākṣasa? Denn du erscheinst nicht in menschlicher Gestalt. Sage uns — welches Vorhaben suchst du zu vollenden?“
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights prudent discernment: when confronted with extraordinary power or appearance, responsible leaders first seek clarity of identity and intention. Ethical action in public life begins with careful inquiry—knowing who stands before you and what purpose they pursue—before forming alliances, offering honor, or taking defensive measures.
A gathering of kings sees a figure of striking, non-human-like splendor. Uncertain whether he is a celestial being (Yaksha, Deva, Gandharva) or a dangerous being (Rakshasa), they question him directly about his identity, lineage, residence, and the objective he intends to achieve.