Shloka 17
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 ||
Yayāti sprach: „Ich bin Yayāti, ein königlicher Weiser (rājarṣi). Da mein Verdienst erschöpft war, bin ich aus dem Himmel herabgefallen. Während ich fiel, kreiste mein Geist unablässig um diesen Gedanken: ‚Möge ich unter die Tugendhaften fallen.‘ Darum bin ich hierher gelangt, mitten unter euch.“
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.