Shloka 39
Śukra’s Ultimatum and Devayānī’s Demand (शुक्र-प्रतिज्ञा तथा देवयानी-वर-याचना)
त॑ पुत्रो दैवयानेय: पूर्वजो वाक्यमब्रवीत् | कि कार्य भवत: कार्यमस्माकं यौवनेन ते,यह सुनकर देवयानीके ज्येष्ठ पुत्र यदुने पूछा--“भगवन्! हमारी जवानी लेकर उसके द्वारा आपको कौन-सा कार्य करना है”
tataḥ putro daivayāneyaḥ pūrvajo vākyam abravīt | kiṃ kāryaṃ bhavataḥ kāryam asmākaṃ yauvanena te ||
Then Devayānī’s son, the elder (Yadu), spoke these words: “Revered sir, what task of yours is to be accomplished by taking our youth? For what purpose do you require it?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds ethical scrutiny in acts of obedience: before surrendering something as precious as youth, Yadu asks the elder to clarify the purpose. It highlights that dharmic action is not blind compliance but informed, responsible consent—especially when a request affects one’s life and future.
After hearing a request involving the transfer or use of the sons’ youth, Devayānī’s eldest son Yadu addresses the requester respectfully and asks what work is to be achieved through taking their youth—seeking the reason and intended outcome behind the demand.