Shloka 3
Yayāti, Devayānī, Śarmiṣṭhā, and the Exchange of Youth: The Unsatisfied Nature of Desire
पितरि भ्रंशिते स्थानादिन्द्राण्या धर्षणाद्द्विजै: । प्रापितेऽजगरत्वं वै ययातिरभवन्नृप: ॥ ३ ॥
pitari bhraṁśite sthānād indrāṇyā dharṣaṇād dvijaiḥ prāpite ’jagaratvaṁ vai yayātir abhavan nṛpaḥ
Because Nahuṣa offended Śacī, Indra’s wife, he fell from his position; cursed by saintly brāhmaṇas to become a python, he was degraded, and thus Yayāti became king.
FAQs
Because he offended Indrāṇī by improper behavior, and the brāhmaṇas cursed him, causing him to fall from his exalted post and become a serpent-like being.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī speaks this verse while narrating the dynasty history and the events leading to Yayāti becoming king.
Power without self-control leads to downfall; respecting others’ dignity and honoring dharma protects one’s position and future.