Shloka 33
Śukra’s Ultimatum and Devayānī’s Demand (शुक्र-प्रतिज्ञा तथा देवयानी-वर-याचना)
अतिभतकत्या पितृनर्चन् देवांश्व॒ प्रयतः सदा । अन्वगृह्लवात् प्रजा: सर्वा ययातिरपराजित:,महाराज ययाति किसीसे परास्त होनेवाले नहीं थे। वे सदा मन और इन्द्रियोंको संयममें रखकर बड़े भक्ति-भावसे देवताओं तथा पितरोंका पूजन करते और समस्त प्रजापर अनुग्रह रखते थे। महाराज जनमेजय! राजा ययातिके देवयानी और शर्मिष्ठाके गर्भसे महान धनुर्धर पुत्र उत्पन्न हुए। वे सभी समस्त सदगुणोंके भण्डार थे
atibhaktyā pitṝn arcann devāṁś ca prayataḥ sadā | anvagṛhṇāt prajāḥ sarvā yayātir aparājitaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: O rei Yayāti, jamais vencido por inimigo algum, mantinha constantemente a autodisciplina, dominando mente e sentidos; e, com intensa devoção, venerava tanto os deuses quanto os ancestrais (pitṛ). Puro em sua conduta, mostrava favor e benevolência a todos os seus súditos.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents an ethical model of righteous kingship: a ruler remains strong and ‘unconquered’ not merely by force, but by disciplined conduct (prayataḥ), devotion to divine and ancestral obligations (deva–pitṛ worship), and compassionate governance (anugraha toward all subjects).
Vaiśampāyana describes King Yayāti’s character: he regularly worships the gods and the Pitṛs with great devotion, keeps himself restrained and pure, and extends benevolence to all his people—setting the stage for the subsequent account of his lineage and offspring.