Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 32, Shloka 17
कुशवंशवर्णनम्
The Line of Kuśa and the Disfigurement of Kuśanābha’s Daughters by Vāyu
चलं हि यौवनं नित्यं मानुषेषु विशेषत:।अक्षय्यं यौवनं प्राप्ताः अमर्यश्च भविष्यथ।।।।
calaṃ hi yauvanaṃ nityaṃ mānuṣeṣu viśeṣataḥ |
akṣayyaṃ yauvanaṃ prāptāḥ amaryāś ca bhaviṣyatha || 1.32.17 ||
«Car la jeunesse est toujours changeante, surtout chez les humains. Mais en obtenant une jeunesse impérissable, vous deviendrez immortelles.»
At the works of the untiringly blowing Wind-god the lunged maidens laughed and said:
FAQs
The verse illustrates a common adharmic persuasion: appealing to fear of aging and desire for immortality. Dharma teaches that right action is not purchased by boons; it rests on rightful intent and proper conduct.
Vāyu strengthens his proposal by arguing that human youth fades, while he can grant unfading youth and immortality.
The implied virtue is vairāgya-like steadiness—refusing to be swayed by impermanent bodily concerns—soon shown by the maidens.
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