Shloka 17
ययातिदौहित्रपुण्यसमुच्चयः | Yayāti and the Grandsons’ Consolidation of Merit
ययातिरुवाच ययातिरस्मि राजर्षि: क्षीणपुण्यश्ष्युतो दिव: । पतेयं सत्स्विति ध्यायन् भवत्सु पतितस्तत:,ययातिने कहा--मैं राजर्षि ययाति हूँ। अपना पुण्य क्षीण होनेके कारण स्वर्गसे नीचे गिर गया हूँ। गिरते समय मेरे मनमें यह चिन्तन चल रहा था कि मैं सत्पुरुषोंके बीचमें गिरूँ। अतः आपलोगोंके बीचमें आ पड़ा हूँ
yayātir uvāca—yayātir asmi rājarṣiḥ kṣīṇapuṇyaś cyuto divaḥ | pateyaṃ satsv iti dhyāyan bhavatsu patitas tataḥ ||
Яяти сказал: «Я — Яяти, царственный риши. Мой запас заслуг иссяк, и я пал с небес. Пока я падал, мысль моя неотступно вращалась вокруг одного: “Пусть я упаду среди добродетельных”. Потому я и оказался здесь, среди вас».
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Merit gained by good deeds is finite when tied to reward; when it is exhausted, even heavenly status ends. Hence one should value dharma and, especially at moments of decline, seek the company of the virtuous (sat-saṅga), which supports right conduct and inner clarity beyond temporary rewards.
Yayāti identifies himself as a rājarṣi who has fallen from heaven because his accumulated puṇya has run out. While descending, he forms a deliberate wish to land among good people; accordingly, he finds himself in the presence of the virtuous listeners addressed here.