Shloka 17
Āśramadharma and the Marks of the Muni
Yayāti–Aṣṭaka Saṃvāda
पूरो प्रीतो5स्मि भद्रं ते गृहाणेदं स््वयौवनम् । राज्यं चेदं गृहाण त्वं त्वं हि मे प्रियकृत् सुत:,'पूरो! तुम्हारा भला हो, मैं प्रसन्न हूँ। अपनी यह जवानी ले लो। साथ ही यह राज्य भी अपने अधिकारमें कर लो; क्योंकि तुम मेरा प्रिय करनेवाले पुत्र हो”
pūro prīto 'smi bhadraṃ te gṛhāṇedaṃ svayauvanam | rājyaṃ cedaṃ gṛhāṇa tvaṃ tvaṃ hi me priyakṛt sutaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Pūru, blessings upon you. I am pleased. Take back this youth of mine. And take this kingdom as well—rightfully assume it—for you are the son who has done what is dear to me.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma in the form of filial devotion and self-sacrifice: the son who prioritizes a parent’s need and acts in a way that is ‘dear’ (priya) is honored with blessing and legitimate authority. Ethical merit is shown as having tangible social consequences—trust, succession, and rightful kingship.
In the Yayāti–Pūru episode, the king (Yayāti, implied by context) is pleased with Pūru’s compliance and rewards him by returning/assigning youth and granting him the kingdom. Vaiśampāyana narrates the moment of transfer: blessing, restoration of youth, and formal bestowal of sovereignty upon Pūru.