Shloka 9
Śāṃtanu’s Ideal Rule; Devavrata’s Return; The Satyavatī Marriage Condition and Bhīṣma’s Vow (आदि पर्व, अध्याय ९४)
ययातिरुवाच यथा त्वमिन्द्रप्रतिमप्रभाव- स्ते चाप्यनन्ता नरदेव लोका: । तथाद्य लोके न रमे<न्यदत्ते तस्माच्छिबे नाभिनन्दामि देयम्,ययाति बोले--नरदेव शिबि! जिस प्रकार तुम इन्द्रके समान प्रभावशाली हो, उसी प्रकार तुम्हारे वे लोक भी अनन्त हैं; तथापि दूसरेके दिये हुए लोकमें मैं विहार नहीं कर सकता, इसीलिये तुम्हारे दिये हुएका अभिनन्दन नहीं करता
yayātir uvāca yathā tvam indrapratimaprabhāvas te cāpy anantā naradeva lokāḥ | tathādya loke na rame ’nyadatte tasmāc chibe nābhinandāmi deyam ||
Wika ni Yayāti: “O Śibi, hari ng mga tao! Kung paanong ang kapangyarihan mo’y tulad ng kay Indra, gayon din ang mga daigdig na iniaalok mo—sinasabing walang hanggan. Ngunit hindi ako makalulugod sa daigdig na ipinagkaloob ng iba; kaya, O Śibi, hindi ko pinupuri upang tanggapin ang handog na iyan.”
प्रतर्दन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even an exalted reward loses its value if it is merely received from another; true fulfillment is tied to what one has earned through one’s own conduct and merit, not to borrowed or transferred enjoyment.
Yayāti addresses King Śibi, acknowledging Śibi’s Indra-like power and the vastness of the worlds he offers, but refuses to rejoice in or accept a realm that comes as another’s gift, emphasizing the principle of self-earned attainment.