Shloka 17
आदि पर्व — अध्याय ८३: ययाति-इन्द्र-संवादः तथा अष्टक-प्रश्नः
Yayāti–Indra Dialogue and Aṣṭaka’s Inquiry
रुदन्तस्ते5थ शर्मिष्ठामभ्ययुर्बालकास्तत: । श्र॒ुत्वा तु तेषां बालानं सब्रीड इव पार्थिव:,तब वे बालक रोते हुए शर्मिष्ठाके पास चले गये। उनकी बातें सुनकर राजा ययाति लज्जित-से हो गये
rudantas te 'tha śarmiṣṭhām abhyayur bālakās tataḥ | śrutvā tu teṣāṃ bālānāṃ sa-brīḍa iva pārthivaḥ ||
Then the boys, weeping, went up to Śarmiṣṭhā. Hearing the words of those children, King Yayāti became as though overcome with shame—his conscience stirred by what their tears implied and by the impropriety that had led to their distress.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights moral accountability: the tears and testimony of the vulnerable (children) awaken shame in the ruler, implying that ethical lapses—especially by those in power—inevitably call forth inner remorse and demand rectification.
The boys, crying, approach Śarmiṣṭhā and speak; upon hearing their words, King Yayāti feels ashamed, suggesting that their complaint or situation exposes something improper that has occurred and prompts the king’s embarrassed self-awareness.