Shloka 35

Yayāti, Devayānī, Śarmiṣṭhā, and the Exchange of Youth: The Unsatisfied Nature of Desire

Devanagari script

प्रियामनुगत: कामी वचोभिरुपमन्त्रयन् । न प्रसादयितुं शेके पादसंवाहनादिभि: ॥ ३५ ॥

Transliteration

priyām anugataḥ kāmī vacobhir upamantrayan na prasādayituṁ śeke pāda-saṁvāhanādibhiḥ

Translation

Lust-driven King Yayāti followed his beloved wife, tried to soothe her with pleasing words and services like massaging her feet, yet he could not pacify her by any means.

Synonyms

• priyām: beloved (wife)
• priyām: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: priyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• anugataḥ: following
• anugataḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anugata (anu + gam) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Past Passive Participle (Kta), Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• kāmī: lustful/desirous
• kāmī: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kāmin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• vacobhiḥ: with words
• vacobhiḥ: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• upamantrayan: persuading/conciliating
• upamantrayan: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: upamantr (upa + mantr) (धातु)
• Form: Present Participle (Shatri), Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• na: not
• na: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negative Particle

• prasādayitum: to pacify/please
• prasādayitum: Purpose
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: prasād (pra + sad) (धातु)
• Form: Infinitive (Tumun)

• śeke: was able
• śeke: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śak (धातु)
• Form: Lit Lakara (Perfect), Atmanepada, Prathama Purusha, Singular

• pādasaṁvāhanādibhiḥ: by massaging feet, etc.
• pādasaṁvāhanādibhiḥ: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pādasaṁvāhanādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

Characters & Entities

• Yayāti
• Devayānī

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about trying to satisfy someone through sensual service and persuasion?

This verse shows that when relationships are driven by kāma (self-centered desire), even sweet words and attentive service may fail to bring real satisfaction or harmony.

Why was Yayāti unable to please Devayānī in this episode?

Śukadeva describes Yayāti as kāmī—ruled by desire—so his attempts to pacify Devayānī through entreaties and service did not resolve the deeper hurt and distrust in their marital conflict.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Acts of service matter, but lasting reconciliation requires sincerity, accountability, and dharmic conduct—not merely pleasing gestures used to cover unresolved wrongdoing.