Shloka 33
Āśramadharma and the Marks of the Muni
Yayāti–Aṣṭaka Saṃvāda
दत्त्वा च पूरवे राज्यं वनवासाय दीक्षित: । पुरात् स निर्ययौ राजा ब्राह्मणैस्तापसै: सह,इस प्रकार पूरुको राज्य दे वनवासकी दीक्षा लेकर राजा ययाति तपस्वी ब्राह्मणोंके साथ नगरसे बाहर निकल गये
dattvā ca pūrave rājyaṃ vanavāsāya dīkṣitaḥ | purāt sa niryayau rājā brāhmaṇais tāpasaiḥ saha ||
Having bestowed the kingdom upon Pūru, King Yayāti formally undertook the vow of dwelling in the forest. Then, leaving the city behind, the king departed in the company of ascetic brāhmaṇas—an act that frames kingship as accountable to dharma: power is relinquished when duty calls, and renunciation is embraced under the guidance of the spiritually disciplined.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic kingship: authority is not clung to as personal possession. When the time comes, a ruler should transfer power responsibly and accept disciplined renunciation, ideally in the company of spiritually grounded guides.
King Yayāti hands over the kingdom to his son Pūru, takes a formal vow for forest-life (vanavāsa), and departs from the city accompanied by ascetic brāhmaṇas.