Shloka 66
ययाति–देवयानी संवादः
Yayāti–Devayānī Dialogue and Śukra’s Consent
समन्युरुत्थाय महानुभाव- स्तदोशना विप्रहितं चिकीर्ष: । सुरापानं प्रति संजातमन्यु: काव्य: स्वयं वाक्यमिदं जगाद,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! विद्वान् शुक्राचार्य मदिरापानसे ठगे गये थे और उस अत्यन्त भयानक परिस्थितिको पहुँच गये थे, जिसमें तनिक भी चेत नहीं रह जाता। मदिरासे मोहित होनेके कारण ही वे उस समय अपने मनके अनुकूल चलनेवाले प्रिय शिष्य ब्राह्मगकुमार कचको भी पी गये थे। यह सब देख और सोचकर वे महानुभाव कविपुत्र शुक्र कुपित हो उठे। मदिरापानके प्रति उनके मनमें क्रोध और घृणाका भाव जाग उठा और उन्होंने ब्राह्मणोंका हित करनेकी इच्छासे स्वयं इस प्रकार घोषणा की--
samanvyur utthāya mahānubhāvas tadośanā viprahitaṁ cikīrṣaḥ | surāpānaṁ prati sañjātamanyuḥ kāvyaḥ svayaṁ vākyam idaṁ jagāda |
Vaiśampāyana said: Then the illustrious son of Kavi (Śukra), rising up in anger, resolved to undo what that drink had brought about. His wrath blazed against the drinking of liquor; and, wishing to act for the welfare of the brāhmaṇas, he himself proclaimed these words.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage frames intoxication (surāpāna) as a cause of moral collapse and social harm, prompting a dharma-oriented response: a respected authority (Śukra) reacts with righteous indignation and seeks to establish guidance for the welfare of brāhmaṇas, emphasizing restraint and ethical conduct.
After a disastrous incident connected with liquor, Śukra (called Kāvya/Uśanā) rises in anger. His anger is directed specifically at the practice of drinking surā, and he prepares to issue a formal pronouncement meant to protect and benefit the brāhmaṇa community.