Shloka 54
Śukra’s Ultimatum and Devayānī’s Demand (शुक्र-प्रतिज्ञा तथा देवयानी-वर-याचना)
इत्यवेक्ष्य महाप्राज्ञ: कामानां फल्गुतां नृप । समाधाय मनो बुद्धया प्रत्यगृह्नाज्जरां सुतात्
ity avekṣya mahāprājñaḥ kāmānāṃ phalgutāṃ nṛpa | samādhāya mano buddhyā pratyagṛhṇāj jarāṃ sutāt ||
Sa gayong pagninilay, ang hari—na dakila ang dunong—ay nakita ang kawalang-laman ng mga pita ng pandama. Pinatatag niya ang isip sa malinaw na pag-unawa, at tinanggap ang katandaan mula sa kanyang anak, pinili ang panloob na kapanatagan at pagtalikod kaysa sa panandaliang ligaya.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Sense-desires are ultimately hollow; true wisdom lies in steadying the mind through discernment and choosing long-term ethical and spiritual good over short-lived gratification.
After reflecting on the futility of pleasures, the king composes his mind and accepts old age from his son—an act that signals a deliberate turn toward renunciation and inner discipline.