Shloka 27
Āśramadharma and the Marks of the Muni
Yayāti–Aṣṭaka Saṃvāda
पूरुणा तु कृतं वाक्यं मानितं च विशेषत:ः । कनीयान् मम दायादो धृता येन जरा मम,पूरने मेरी आज्ञाका पालन किया; मेरी बातको अधिक आदर दिया है, इसीने मेरा बुढ़ापा ले रखा था। अतः मेरा यह छोटा पुत्र ही वास्तवमें मेरे राज्य और धनको पानेका अधिकारी है
pūruṇā tu kṛtaṃ vākyaṃ mānitaṃ ca viśeṣataḥ | kanīyān mama dāyādo dhṛtā yena jarā mama ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “Pūru has carried out my command and has honored my word with exceptional respect. It is he who has taken upon himself my old age. Therefore this younger son of mine is truly the rightful heir to my kingdom and wealth.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse upholds dharma through filial obedience and self-sacrifice: the one who honors a parent’s word and bears hardship for them becomes ethically fit for inheritance and rulership.
In the Yayāti episode, Pūru accepts the burden of his father’s old age and fulfills his command. Because of this exceptional respect and service, the father declares Pūru—though the younger son—the rightful heir to the kingdom and wealth.