Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 45
Yayāti, Devayānī, Śarmiṣṭhā, and the Exchange of Youth: The Unsatisfied Nature of Desire
इति प्रमुदित: पूरु: प्रत्यगृह्णाज्जरां पितु: । सोऽपि तद्वयसा कामान् यथावज्जुजुषे नृप ॥ ४५ ॥
iti pramuditaḥ pūruḥ pratyagṛhṇāj jarāṁ pituḥ so ’pi tad-vayasā kāmān yathāvaj jujuṣe nṛpa
Śukadeva Gosvāmī dit : De cette façon, ô Mahārāja Parīkṣit, le fils nommé Pūru fut très heureux d'accepter la vieillesse de son père, Yayāti, qui prit la jeunesse de son fils et jouit de ce monde matériel comme il le désirait.
FAQs
This verse states that Pūru gladly accepted his father Yayāti’s old age, and Yayāti then enjoyed sense pleasures using the youth he received—setting up the Bhagavatam’s teaching on the limits of kama (material desire).
Pūru did so out of filial duty and righteousness (dharma), showing self-sacrifice to serve his father when the other sons refused.
It highlights that pleasure pursued through borrowed “youth” or temporary advantages still remains limited; real fulfillment comes from dharma, self-control, and ultimately turning toward spiritual purpose rather than endless gratification.