Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 32, Shloka 17
कुशवंशवर्णनम्
The Line of Kuśa and the Disfigurement of Kuśanābha’s Daughters by Vāyu
चलं हि यौवनं नित्यं मानुषेषु विशेषत:।अक्षय्यं यौवनं प्राप्ताः अमर्यश्च भविष्यथ।।।।
calaṃ hi yauvanaṃ nityaṃ mānuṣeṣu viśeṣataḥ |
akṣayyaṃ yauvanaṃ prāptāḥ amaryāś ca bhaviṣyatha || 1.32.17 ||
“Vì tuổi xuân vốn luôn đổi thay, nhất là nơi loài người. Nhưng khi đạt được tuổi xuân bất hoại, các nàng sẽ trở nên bất tử.”
At the works of the untiringly blowing Wind-god the lunged maidens laughed and said:
FAQs
The verse illustrates a common adharmic persuasion: appealing to fear of aging and desire for immortality. Dharma teaches that right action is not purchased by boons; it rests on rightful intent and proper conduct.
Vāyu strengthens his proposal by arguing that human youth fades, while he can grant unfading youth and immortality.
The implied virtue is vairāgya-like steadiness—refusing to be swayed by impermanent bodily concerns—soon shown by the maidens.