Shloka 10
Āśramadharma and the Marks of the Muni
Yayāti–Aṣṭaka Saṃvāda
यदा स पश्यते काल धर्मात्मा त॑ं महीपति: । पूर्ण मत्वा तत: काल पूरुं पुत्रमुवाच ह,वे नरेश शुभ भोगोंको प्राप्त करके पहले तो तृप्त एवं आनन्दित होते थे; परंतु जब यह बात ध्यानमें आती कि ये हजार वर्ष भी पूरे हो जायँगे, तब उन्हें बड़ा खेद होता था। कालतत्त्वको जाननेवाले पराक्रमी राजा ययाति एक-एक कला और काष्ठाकी गिनती करके एक हजार वर्षके समयकी अवधिका स्मरण रखते थे। राजर्षि ययाति हजार वर्षोकी जवानी पाकर नन्दनवनमें विश्वाची अप्सराके साथ रमण करते और प्रकाशित होते थे। वे अलकापुरीमें तथा उत्तर दिशावर्ती मेरशिखरपर भी इच्छानुसार विहार करते थे। धर्मात्मा नरेशने जब देखा कि समय अब पूरा हो गया, तब वे अपने पुत्र पुरुके पास आकर बोले --
yadā sa paśyate kālaṃ dharmātmā taṃ mahīpatiḥ | pūrṇaṃ matvā tataḥ kālaṃ pūruṃ putram uvāca ha ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: When that righteous king perceived that Time had arrived—judging that the allotted period was now complete—he then addressed his son Pūru. The verse marks the ethical turning-point: enjoyment granted for a fixed term must yield to the law of Time, and the king, mindful of dharma, turns from pleasure back to responsibility and rightful order.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even legitimate enjoyment is bounded by Kāla (Time). A dharmic person recognizes limits, accepts completion without denial, and returns to rightful duty—showing that ethical life includes awareness of impermanence and accountability.
The narrator states that the righteous king realizes the fixed period has ended. Having determined that the time is complete, he approaches and speaks to his son Pūru—setting up the next action in the Yayāti–Pūru episode.