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
Śukrācārya sangat murka lalu berkata, “Wahai lelaki pendusta yang gila perempuan, hai bodoh! Aku mengutukmu ditimpa tua renta yang mencacatkan rupa dan melemahkan manusia.”
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.