
Yayāti’s Abdication and Pūru’s Coronation (ययाति-पूोरु-राज्याभिषेकः)
Upa-parva: Yayāti–Pūru Rājya-nyāsa (Succession and the Transfer of Youth)
Vaiśaṃpāyana describes Yayāti Nāhuṣa as a model ruler who enjoys lawful pleasures without violating dharma, while sustaining cosmic and social reciprocity through yajñas, śrāddhas, charity, hospitality, protection of the people, and restraint of disruptive elements. After a long interval (a thousand-year measure in the narrative), Yayāti assesses time as complete and addresses Pūru: he declares satisfaction with pleasures obtained through Pūru’s youth and returns youth and kingdom to him. Yayāti accepts old age; Pūru regains his own youth. When Yayāti intends to consecrate the younger son, brāhmaṇa-led varṇas question bypassing the eldest Yadu. Yayāti argues that Yadu and other elder sons failed to follow paternal instruction and showed disrespect, whereas Pūru honored him and bore his old age; additionally, a boon of Śukra (Uśanas) supports the principle that the obedient son becomes king. The prakṛtis affirm that virtue and parental benefit justify kingship even for a younger son. Yayāti consecrates Pūru, then departs for forest life with brāhmaṇas and ascetics. The chapter closes by associating Yayāti’s sons with later lineages/peoples (e.g., Yādavas from Yadu) and emphasizing the Paurava line from Pūru.
Chapter Arc: Shukracharya, the Bhargava preceptor of the Asuras, turns his wrath upon King Vrishaparva—his voice heavy with the certainty that adharma ripens, if not today then inevitably. → Vrishaparva is made to feel the slow, inescapable law of consequence: sinful gain and arrogant injury do not always strike the doer at once, but they circle back, cutting at the roots of the perpetrator—through sons, grandsons, or the self. → Shukracharya confronts the king’s moral blindness—astonished that Vrishaparva could dismiss him as a liar—and forces a decisive turn: the king must go to Devayani and grant what she demands, however difficult. → Vrishaparva submits; he approaches Devayani with conciliatory humility and offers her any boon. The breach is contained, the guru’s displeasure soothed, and the Asura court receives Shukracharya again with honor. → Devayani is now empowered to ask—what will she demand, and how will that choice entangle the destinies that lead toward Yayati?
Verse 1
(दाक्षिणात्य अधिक पाठके १०६३ श्लोक मिलाकर कुल २३३६ *लोक हैं) न२््च्स्स्ज््साि्स्सि हु £:ानप्ट् अशीतितमोब<्ध्याय: शुक्राचार्यका वृषपर्वाको फटकारना तथा उसे छोड़कर जानेके लिये उद्यत होना और वृषपर्वाके आदेशसे शर्मिष्ठाका देवयानीकी दासी बनकर शुक्राचार्य तथा देवयानीको संतुष्ट करना वैशम्पायन उवाच ततः काव्यो भृगुश्रेष्ठ; समन्युरुपगम्य ह । वृषपर्वाणमासीनमित्युवाचाविचारयन्,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! देवयानीकी बात सुनकर भृगुश्रेष्ठ शुक्राचार्य बड़े क्रोधमें भरकर वृषपर्वाके समीप गये। वह राजसिंहासनपर बैठा हुआ था। शुक्राचार्यजीने बिना कुछ सोचे-विचारे उससे इस प्रकार कहना आरम्भ किया--
Vaiśampāyana said: Then Kāvya (Śukrācārya), the foremost of the Bhṛgus, filled with anger, approached Vṛṣaparvan as he sat enthroned, and—without pausing to deliberate—began to address him. The scene frames a moral tension between royal power and the authority of a teacher-priest, as indignation over an injustice moves the preceptor to confront the king directly.
Verse 2
नाधर्मश्नरितो राजन् सद्यः फलति गौरिव । शनैरावर्त्यमानो हि कर्तुर्मूलानि कृन्तति,“राजन! जो अधर्म किया जाता है, उसका फल तुरंत नहीं मिलता। जैसे गायकी सेवा करनेपर धीरे-धीरे कुछ कालके बाद वह ब्याती और दूध देती है अथवा धरतीको जोत- बोकर बीज डालनेसे कुछ कालके बाद पौधा उगता और यथासमय फल देता है, उसी प्रकार किया जानेवाला अधर्म धीरे-धीरे कर्ताकी जड़ काट देता है
Vaiśampāyana said: “O King, wrongdoing does not yield its result at once—just as a cow does not immediately give milk. But when it keeps returning again and again, it slowly cuts down the very roots of the doer.”
Verse 3
पुत्रेषु वा नप्तृषु वा न चेदात्मनि पश्यति । फलत्येव ध्रुवं पापं गुरु भुक्तमिवोदरे,“यदि वह (पापसे उपार्जित द्रव्यका) दुष्परिणाम अपने ऊपर नहीं दिखायी देता तो उस अन््यायोपार्जित द्रव्यका उपभोग करनेके कारण पुत्रों अथवा नाती-पोतोंपर अवश्य प्रकट होता है। जैसे खाया हुआ गरिष्ठ अन्न तुरंत नहीं तो कुछ देर बाद अवश्य ही पेटमें उपद्रव करता है, उसी प्रकार किया हुआ पाप भी निश्चय ही अपना फल देता है”
Vaiśampāyana said: If the consequence of wrongdoing is not seen upon oneself, it is surely revealed upon one’s sons or grandsons. Sin inevitably bears fruit—like heavy food eaten, which may not trouble the stomach at once, but after some time certainly causes distress.
Verse 4
(अधीयान हित राजन् क्षमावन्तं जितेन्द्रियम् ।) यदघातयिथा विप्रं कचमाड्रिरसं तदा । अपापशीलं धर्मज्ञ शुश्रूषुं मदगृहे रतम्,“राजन! अंगिराके पौत्र कच विशुद्ध ब्राह्मण हैं। वे स्वाध्याय-परायण, हितैषी, क्षमावान् और जितेन्द्रिय हैं, स्वभावसे ही निष्पाप और धर्मज्ञ हैं तथा उन दिनों मेरे घरमें रहकर निरन्तर मेरी सेवामें संलग्न थे, परंतु तुमने उनका बार-बार वध करवाया था
Vaiśampāyana said: “O King, that brāhmaṇa Kaca—grandson of Aṅgiras—was devoted to study, well-wishing, patient, and self-controlled. By nature he was sinless and discerning in dharma, and in those days he lived in my house, constantly engaged in serving me. Yet you had him killed again and again.”
Verse 5
वधादनर्हतस्तस्य वधाच्च दुहितुर्मम । वृषपर्वन् निबोधेदं त्यक्ष्यामि त्वां सबान्धवम् । स्थातुं त्वद्विषये राजन् न शक्ष्यामि त्ववा सह,*वृषपर्वन्! ध्यान देकर मेरी यह बात सुन लो, तुम्हारे द्वारा पहले वधके अयोग्य ब्राह्यणका वध किया गया है और अब मेरी पुत्री देवयानीका भी वध करनेके लिये उसे कुएँमें ढकेला गया है। इन दोनों हत्याओंके कारण मैं तुमको और तुम्हारे भाई-बन्धुओंको त्याग दूँगा। राजन! तुम्हारे राज्यमें और तुम्हारे साथ मैं एक क्षण भी नहीं ठहर सकूँगा
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “Because you have slain one who was not fit to be slain, and because you have also sought the death of my daughter—having had her cast into a well—listen, O Vṛṣaparvan: I will renounce you along with all your kinsmen. O king, I cannot remain for even a moment in your realm, nor in your company.”
Verse 6
अहो मामभिजानासि दैत्य मिथ्याप्रलापिनम् | यथेममात्मनो दोष॑ न नियच्छस्युपेक्षसे,'दैत्यराज! बड़े आश्वर्यकी बात है कि तुमने मुझे मिथ्यावादी समझ लिया। तभी तो तुम अपने इस दोषको दूर नहीं करते और लापरवाही दिखाते हो”
“Alas! O Daitya, you have taken me to be a speaker of falsehood. That is why you neither restrain this fault within yourself nor correct it, but instead remain heedless.”
Verse 7
वृषपर्वोवाच (यदि ब्रह्मनू घातयामि यदि वा55क्रोशयाम्यहम् । शर्मिष्ठया देवयानीं तेन गच्छाम्पयसद्गतिम् ।।) वृषपर्वा बोले--ब्रह्मन! यदि मैं शर्मिष्ठासे देवयानीको पिटवाता या तिरस्कृत करवाता होऊँ तो इस पापसे मुझे सद्गति न मिले। नाधर्म न मृषावादं त्वयि जानामि भार्गव । त्वयि धर्मश्च सत्यं च तत् प्रसीदतु नो भवान्,भुगुनन्दन! आपपर अधर्म अथवा मिथ्याभाषणका दोष मैंने कभी लगाया हो, यह मैं नहीं जानता। आपमें तो सदा धर्म और सत्य प्रतिष्ठित हैं। अतः आप हमलोगोंपर कृपा करके प्रसन्न होइये। भार्गव! यदि आप हमें छोड़कर चले जाते हैं तो हम सब लोग समुद्रमें समा जायूँगे; हमारे लिये दूसरी कोई गति नहीं है
Vṛṣaparvan said: “O brāhmaṇa, if I were to have Devayānī struck or even insulted through Śarmiṣṭhā, may that sin lead me to an evil end. O Bhārgava, I know of no unrighteousness or falsehood in you; in you dwell dharma and truth. Therefore, be gracious and be pleased with us.”
Verse 8
यद्यस्मानपहाय त्वमितो गच्छसि भार्गव । समुद्र सम्प्रवेक्ष्यामो नान््यदस्ति परायणम्,भुगुनन्दन! आपपर अधर्म अथवा मिथ्याभाषणका दोष मैंने कभी लगाया हो, यह मैं नहीं जानता। आपमें तो सदा धर्म और सत्य प्रतिष्ठित हैं। अतः आप हमलोगोंपर कृपा करके प्रसन्न होइये। भार्गव! यदि आप हमें छोड़कर चले जाते हैं तो हम सब लोग समुद्रमें समा जायूँगे; हमारे लिये दूसरी कोई गति नहीं है
Vaiśampāyana said: “O Bhārgava, if you abandon us and depart from here, we shall enter the ocean; for us there is no other refuge. I do not know that I have ever imputed to you any fault of unrighteousness or false speech. In you, dharma and truth are ever established. Therefore, show compassion to us and be gracious.”
Verse 9
(यद्येव देवान् गच्छेस्त्वं मां च त्यक्त्वा ग्रहाधिप । सर्वत्यागं ततः कृत्वा प्रविशामि हुताशनम् ।।) ग्रहेश्वरर यदि आप मुझे छोड़कर देवताओंके पक्षमें चले जायँगे तो मैं भी सर्वस्व त्याग कर जलती आगममें कूद पड़ूँगा। शुक्र उवाच समुद्र प्रविशध्वं वा दिशो वा द्रवतासुरा: । दुहितुर्नाप्रियं सोढुं शक्तो5हं दयिता हि मे,शुक्राचार्यने कहा--असुरो! तुमलोग समुद्रमें घुस जाओ अथवा चारों दिशाओंमें भाग जाओ; मैं अपनी पुत्रीके प्रति किया गया अप्रिय बर्ताव नहीं सह सकता; क्योंकि वह मुझे अत्यन्त प्रिय है
Śukra said: “O Asuras, either plunge into the ocean or flee in all directions. I cannot endure the wrong done to my daughter, for she is exceedingly dear to me.” The verse foregrounds a moral boundary: even a powerful preceptor will not tolerate injustice toward one’s dependent, and paternal affection becomes the ethical impetus for decisive action.
Verse 10
प्रसाद्यतां देवयानी जीवितं यत्र मे स्थितम् । योगक्षेमकरस्ते5हमिन्द्रस्पेव बृहस्पति:,तुम देवयानीको प्रसन्न करो, क्योंकि उसीमें मेरे प्राण बसते हैं। उसके प्रसन्न हो जानेपर इन्द्रके पुरोहित बृहस्पतिकी भाँति मैं तुम्हारे योगक्षेमका वहन करता रहूँगा
Śukra said: “Let Devayānī be appeased, for my very life is lodged in her. If she becomes pleased, I will secure your welfare and protection—just as Bṛhaspati, priest of Indra, upholds Indra’s prosperity and safety.”
Verse 11
वृषपर्वोवाच यत् किंचिदसुरेन्द्राणां विद्यते वसु भार्गव । भुवि हस्तिगवाश्वं च तस्य त्वं मम चेश्वर:,वृषपर्वा बोले--भृगुनन्दन! असुरेश्वरोंक पास इस भूतलपर जो कुछ भी सम्पत्ति तथा हाथी-घोड़े और गाय आदि पशुधन है, उसके और मेरे भी आप ही स्वामी हैं
Vṛṣaparvan said: “O Bhārgava (son of Bhṛgu), whatever wealth belongs to the lords of the Asuras, and whatever on this earth consists of elephants, cattle, and horses—of all that, and of me as well, you are the master.”
Verse 12
शुक्र उवाच यत् किंचिदस्ति द्रविणं दैत्येन्द्राणां महासुर । तस्येश्वरो5स्मि यद्येषा देवयानी प्रसाद्यताम्,शुक्राचार्यने कहा--महान् असुर! दैत्यराजोंका जो कुछ भी धन-वैभव है, यदि उसका स्वामी मैं ही हूँ तो उसके द्वारा इस देवयानीको प्रसन्न करो
Shukra said: “O great Asura, whatever wealth exists among the lords of the Daityas—if I am indeed its master—then use it to win Devayānī’s favor.” Ethically, Shukra frames material power as a means to repair a moral breach: wealth is to be deployed for reconciliation and the restoration of right conduct toward an offended person.
Verse 13
वैशम्पायन उवाच एवमुक्तस्तथेत्याह वृषपर्वा महाकवि: । देवयान्यन्तिकं गत्वा तमर्थ प्राह भार्गव:,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! शुक्राचार्यके ऐसा कहनेपर वृषपर्वाने “तथास्तु' कहकर उनकी आज्ञा मान ली। तदनन्तर दोनों देवयानीके पास गये और महाकवि शुक्राचार्यने वृषपर्वाकी कही हुई सारी बात कह सुनायी
Vaiśampāyana said: Thus addressed, Vṛṣaparvā replied, “So be it,” accepting the command. Then they went to Devayānī, and the great sage Bhārgava (Śukrācārya) conveyed to her the entire matter as spoken by Vṛṣaparvā. The episode underscores obedience to rightful counsel and the ethical duty to communicate decisions transparently to those directly affected.
Verse 14
देवयान्युवाच यदि त्वमीश्वरस्तात राज्ञो वित्तस्य भार्गव | नाभिजानामि तत् ते5हं राजा तु वदतु स्वयम्,तब देवयानीने कहा--तात! यदि आप राजाके धनके स्वामी हैं तो आपके कहनेसे मैं इस बातको नहीं मानूँगी। राजा स्वयं कहें, तो मुझे विश्वास होगा
Devayānī said: “Dear one, O Bhārgava, if you claim to be the master of the king’s wealth, I cannot accept that merely on your word. Let the king himself say it—then I will believe.”
Verse 15
वृषपर्वोवाच यं काममभिकामासि देवयानि शुचिस्मिते । तत् ते5हं सम्प्रदास्यामि यदि वापि हि दुर्लभम्,वृषपर्वा बोले--पवित्र मुसकानवाली देवयानी! तुम जिस वस्तुको पाना चाहती हो, वह यदि दुर्लभ हो तो भी तुम्हें अवश्य दूँगा
Vṛṣaparvan said: “O Devayānī of pure, gentle smile—whatever desire you long for, I will grant it to you; even if it is difficult to obtain, I shall still give it.” The statement frames a kingly pledge: a promise to fulfill a request despite obstacles, underscoring responsibility toward one who has been wronged and the ethical weight of one’s word.
Verse 16
देवयान्युवाच दासीं कन्यासहस्त्रेण शर्मिष्ठामभिकामये । अनु मां तत्र गच्छेत् सा यत्र दद्याच्च मे पिता,देवयानीने कहा--मैं चाहती हूँ, शर्मिष्ठा एक हजार कन्याओंके साथ मेरी दासी होकर रहे और पिताजी जहाँ मेरा विवाह करें, वहाँ भी वह मेरे साथ जाय
Devayānī said: “I desire that Śarmiṣṭhā become my maidservant, attended by a thousand maidens. And wherever my father gives me in marriage, let her go there with me as well.” In the narrative, Devayānī frames her demand as a condition for restoring honor after an affront, asserting social hierarchy and seeking a lasting guarantee of redress; ethically, it raises questions about proportionality, pride, and the use of power to secure personal vindication.
Verse 17
वृषपर्वोवाच उत्तिष्ठ त्वं गच्छ धात्रि शर्मिष्ठां शीघ्रमानय । यं च कामयते काम॑ देवयानी करोतु तम्,यह सुनकर वृषपर्वाने धायसे कहा--धात्री! तुम उठो, जाओ और शर्मिष्ठाको शीघ्र बुला लाओ एवं देवयानीकी जो कामना हो, उसे वह पूर्ण करे
Vṛṣaparvan said: “Rise, nurse, and go—bring Śarmiṣṭhā here at once. Whatever desire Devayānī wishes for, let Śarmiṣṭhā fulfill it.” In the ethical frame of the episode, the king responds to Devayānī’s grievance by ordering immediate restitution through service and compliance, aiming to avert further wrongdoing and restore social balance after an offense.
Verse 18
(त्यजेदेक॑ कुलस्यार्थे ग्रामस्यार्थे कुलं त्यजेत् ग्रामं जनपदस्यार्थ आत्मार्थे पृथिवीं त्यजेत् ।।) कुलके हितके लिये एक मनुष्यको त्याग दे। गाँवके भलेके लिये एक कुलको छोड़ दे। जनपदके लिये एक गाँवकी उपेक्षा कर दे और आत्मकल्याणके लिये सारी पृथ्वीको त्याग दे। वैशम्पायन उवाच ततो धात्री तत्र गत्वा शर्मिष्ठां वाक्यमब्रवीत् । उत्तिष्ठ भद्दे शर्मिछे ज्ञातीनां सुखमावह,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--तब धायने शर्मिष्ठाके पास जाकर कहा--'भट्रे शर्मिष्ठे! उठो और अपने जाति-भाइयोंको सुख पहुँचाओ
“For the sake of a family, one may abandon a single person; for the welfare of a village, one may abandon a family; for the good of a realm, one may set aside a village; and for one’s own highest good (the good of the Self), one may renounce even the whole earth.” Vaiśampāyana said: Then the nurse went there and spoke to Śarmiṣṭhā: “Rise, noble Śarmiṣṭhā, and bring well-being to your kinsfolk.”
Verse 19
त्यजति ब्राह्मण: शिष्यान् देवयान्या प्रचोदित: । सा यं कामयते काम॑ स कार्योड्द्य त्वयानघे,“पापरहित राजकुमारी! आज बाबा शुक्राचार्य देवयानीके कहनेसे अपने शिष्यों-- यजमानोंको त्याग रहे हैं। अतः देवयानीकी जो कामना हो, वह तुम्हें पूर्ण करनी चाहिये”
Vaiśampāyana said: “Urged by Devayānī, the brāhmaṇa (Śukrācārya) is abandoning his disciples and patrons. Therefore, O blameless princess, whatever desire Devayānī longs for—today you must see that it is fulfilled.”
Verse 20
शर्मिष्टोवाच यं सा कामयते काम॑ करवाण्यहमद्य तम् । यद्येवमाह्नयेच्छुक्रो देवयानीकृते हि माम् मद्दोषान्मा गमच्छुक्रो देवयानी च मत्कृते,शर्मिष्ठा बोली--यदि इस प्रकार देवयानीके लिये ही शुक्राचार्यजी मुझे बुला रहे हैं तो देवयानी जो कुछ चाहती है, वह सब आजसे मैं करूँगी। मेरे अपराधसे शुक्राचार्यजी न जायूँ और देवयानी भी मेरे कारण अन्यत्र जानेका विचार न करे
Śarmiṣṭhā said: “Whatever desire she (Devayānī) wishes for, I shall fulfill that very wish from today. If it is indeed for Devayānī’s sake that Śukra has summoned me, then let Śukra not depart because of my fault, and let Devayānī too not think of leaving on my account.”
Verse 21
वैशम्पायन उवाच ततः कन्यासहस्त्रेण वृता शिबिकया तदा । पितुर्नियोगात् त्वरिता निश्चक्राम पुरोत्तमात्,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! तदनन्तर पिताकी आज्ञासे राजकुमारी शर्मिष्ठा शिबिकापर आरूढ़ हो तुरंत राजधानीसे बाहर निकली। उस समय वह एक सहस्र कन्याओंसे घिरी हुई थी
Vaiśampāyana said: Then, at that time, the princess—surrounded by a thousand maidens—mounted in a palanquin and, compelled by her father’s command, hurriedly went out from the excellent city. The scene underscores royal obedience and the social order in which a daughter’s movements are directed by paternal authority, even amid outward splendor and retinue.
Verse 22
शर्मिष्ठोवाच अहं दासीसहस्त्रेण दासी ते परिचारिका । अनु त्वां तत्र यास्यामि यत्र दास्यति ते पिता,शर्मिष्ठा बोली--देवयानी! मैं एक सहस्र दासियोंके साथ तुम्हारी दासी बनकर सेवा करूँगी और तुम्हारे पिता जहाँ भी तुम्हारा ब्याह करेंगे, वहाँ तुम्हारे साथ चलूँगी
Verse 23
देवयान्युवाच स्तुवतो दुहिताहं ते याचत: प्रतिगृह्नतः । स्तूयमानस्य दुहिता कथं दासी भविष्यसि,देवयानीने कहा--अरी! मैं तो स्तुति करनेवाले और दान लेनेवाले भिक्षुककी पुत्री हूँ और तुम उस बड़े बापकी बेटी हो, जिसकी मेरे पिता स्तुति करते हैं; फिर मेरी दासी बनकर कैसे रहोगी
Verse 24
शर्मिष्ठोवाच येन केनचिदार्तानां ज्ञातीनां सुखमावहेत् । अतत्त्वामनुयास्यामि यत्र दास्यति ते पिता,शर्मिष्ठा बोली--जिस किसी उपायसे भी सम्भव हो, अपने विपदग्रस्त जाति- भाइयोंको सुख पहुँचाना चाहिये। अतः तुम्हारे पिता जहाँ तुम्हें देंगे, वहाँ भी मैं तुम्हारे साथ चलूँगी
Śarmiṣṭhā said: “By whatever means one can, one should bring comfort to one’s kinsfolk when they are in distress. Therefore I will follow you—wherever your father gives you (in marriage), there too I shall go with you.”
Verse 25
वैशम्पायन उवाच प्रतिश्रुते दासभावे दुह्तित्रा वृषपर्वण: । देवयानी नृपश्रेष्ठ पितरं वाक्यमब्रवीत्,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--नृपश्रेष्ठ! जब वृषपर्वाकी पुत्रीने दासी होनेकी प्रतिज्ञा कर ली, तब देवयानीने अपने पितासे कहा
Vaiśampāyana said: O best of kings, when Vṛṣaparvan’s daughter had pledged herself to the condition of servitude, Devayānī spoke these words to her father. The moment frames a moral tension between promise-keeping and social hierarchy: a vow has been given, and its consequences now press upon family duty and honor.
Verse 26
देवयान्युवाच प्रविशामि पुरं तात तुष्टास्मि द्विजसत्तम । अमोघं तव विज्ञानमस्ति विद्याबलं च ते,देवयानी बोली--पिताजी! अब मैं नगरमें प्रवेश करूँगी। द्विजश्रेष्ठ। अब मुझे विश्वास हो गया कि आपका विज्ञान और आपकी विद्याका बल अमोघ है
Devayānī said, “Father, I shall now enter the city. O best of Brahmins, I am satisfied. I am now convinced that your discernment is unfailing, and so too is the power of your learning.”
Verse 27
वैशग्पायन उवाच एवमुक्तो दुहित्रा स द्विजश्रेष्ठी महायशा: । प्रविवेश पुरं हृष्ट: पूजित: सर्वदानवै:,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! अपनी पुत्री देवयानीके ऐसा कहनेपर महायशस्वी द्विजश्रेष्ठ शुक्राचार्यने समस्त दानवोंसे पूजित एवं प्रसन्न होकर नगरमें प्रवेश किया
Verse 79
इस प्रकार श्रीमहाभारत आदिपर्वके अन्तर्गत सम्भवपर्वमें ययात्युपाख्यानविषयक उन्यासीवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ
Thus ends the seventy-ninth chapter, dealing with the episode of King Yayāti, within the Sambhava Parva of the Ādi Parva of the Śrī Mahābhārata. The colophon signals the completion of a narrative unit that frames lineage, consequence, and moral causality—how choices and desires shape destiny across generations.
Verse 80
इति श्रीमहाभारते आदिपर्वणि सम्भवपर्वणि ययात्युपाख्यानेड5शीतितमो<ध्याय: ।। ८० || इस प्रकार श्रीमह्याभारत आदिपरव्वके अन्तर्गत सम्भवपर्वमें ययात्युपाख्यानविषयक अस्सीवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ
Thus, in the Śrī Mahābhārata, within the Ādi Parva—specifically the Sambhava Parva—ends the eightieth chapter of the Yayāti episode. (Colophon marking the completion of the chapter.)
The dilemma concerns succession ethics: whether royal authority should follow birth order (the eldest son) or dharmic merit demonstrated through obedience, respect, and willingness to bear a parent’s burden.
The chapter teaches that legitimate power is validated by dharma-conform conduct—ritual reciprocity, protection, compassion, and filial responsibility—rather than by entitlement alone, and that renunciation after fulfilling duties can be framed as orderly governance.
No explicit phalaśruti appears here; instead, the chapter functions as etiological meta-commentary by linking succession choices to enduring lineages, implying that ethical decisions in governance shape long-term historical outcomes.