Shloka 36
Yayāti, Devayānī, Śarmiṣṭhā, and the Exchange of Youth: The Unsatisfied Nature of Desire
शुक्रस्तमाह कुपित: स्त्रीकामानृतपूरुष । त्वां जरा विशतां मन्द विरूपकरणी नृणाम् ॥ ३६ ॥
śukras tam āha kupitaḥ strī-kāmānṛta-pūruṣa tvāṁ jarā viśatāṁ manda virūpa-karaṇī nṛṇām
ശുക്രാചാര്യൻ അത്യന്തം കോപിച്ച് പറഞ്ഞു— “സ്ത്രീകാമത്തിൽ ലിപ്തനായ അസത്യപുരുഷാ, മൂഢാ! മനുഷ്യരെ വിരൂപരാക്കി അശക്തരാക്കുന്ന ജര നിനക്കു പിടിക്കട്ടെ.”
FAQs
This verse shows that uncontrolled desire (strī-kāma) and deceit lead to immediate suffering—symbolized by the sudden onset of old age—highlighting how adharma quickly brings painful reactions.
Śukrācārya, angered by Yayāti’s lust-driven wrongdoing and dishonesty, pronounced a curse that old age would enter him at once, teaching that violating dharma invites swift karmic consequence.
Practice truthfulness and restraint in relationships; when desire pushes one toward deception, pause and choose dharma—because unchecked lust and dishonesty degrade character and bring suffering.