Shloka 2
Āśramadharma and the Marks of the Muni
Yayāti–Aṣṭaka Saṃvāda
यथाकामं यथोत्साहं यथाकालं यथासुखम् । धर्माविरुद्धं राजेन्द्र यथाहति स एव हि,राजेन्द्र! उनकी जैसी कामना होती, जैसा उत्साह होता और जैसा समय होता, उसके अनुसार वे सुखपूर्वक धर्मानुकूल भोगोंका उपभोग करते थे। वास्तवमें उसके योग्य वे ही थे
yathākāmaṁ yathotsāhaṁ yathākālaṁ yathāsukham | dharmāviruddhaṁ rājendra yathāhati sa eva hi ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O best of kings, in accordance with their desire, their energy, the proper time, and their comfort, they enjoyed pleasures that were not opposed to dharma. Indeed, it was fitting—only they were truly worthy of such enjoyment.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Enjoyment (kāma) is acceptable when it is regulated by time, capacity, and comfort, and—most importantly—when it does not conflict with dharma; worthiness is shown by ethical restraint in pleasure.
Vaiśampāyana describes the conduct of the subjects being spoken about: they partake of pleasures in a timely and fitting way, emphasizing that their enjoyment remains within the bounds of dharma and is therefore deserved.