Shloka 4

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

Devanagari script

चतसृष्वादिशद् दिक्षु भ्रातृन् भ्राता यवीयस: । कृतदारो जुगोपोर्वीं काव्यस्य वृषपर्वण: ॥ ४ ॥

Transliteration

catasṛṣv ādiśad dikṣu bhrātṝn bhrātā yavīyasaḥ kṛta-dāro jugoporvīṁ kāvyasya vṛṣaparvaṇaḥ

Translation

Yayāti appointed his four younger brothers to rule the four directions. He himself married Devayānī, daughter of Śukrācārya, and Śarmiṣṭhā, daughter of Vṛṣaparvā, and ruled the entire earth.

Synonyms

चतसृषुin the four

आदिशत्assigned/appointed

दिक्षुin the directions

भ्रातॄन्brothers

भ्राताthe brother

यवीयसःof the younger (brother)

कृत-दारःhaving taken a wife (married)

जुगोपprotected

उर्वीम्the earth/land

काव्यस्यof Kāvya (Śukrācārya)

वृषपर्वणःof Vṛṣaparvan

Characters & Entities

Kāvya (Śukrācārya)

Vṛṣaparvā

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about rāja-dharma (the duty of a king) in Canto 9?

This verse highlights rāja-dharma as organized leadership—assigning responsibility and protecting the earth—showing that governance is meant for protection and order, not exploitation.

Who is Kāvya in the Bhagavatam, and why is he mentioned here?

Kāvya refers to Śukrācārya, the preceptor of the Daityas. He is mentioned because the ruler in this verse protects the earth under the authority or interest of Śukrācārya and King Vṛṣaparvā.

Practical application of this shloka’s lesson in modern life?

Delegate duties responsibly, respect qualified guidance, and see leadership as protection and service—whether in family, work, or community.