Shloka 16
ययातिदौहित्रपुण्यसमुच्चयः | Yayāti and the Grandsons’ Consolidation of Merit
यक्षो वाप्यथवा देवो गन्धर्वो राक्षसो5पि वा । न हि मानुषरूपो5सि को वार्थ: काडुक्ष्यते त्वया
yakṣo vāpy athavā devo gandharvo rākṣaso 'pi vā | na hi mānuṣa-rūpo 'si ko vārthaḥ kāṅkṣyate tvayā ||
众人又问那光辉灿然、神圣威光令诸侯惊叹的王者：“你是谁？与谁同族，居于何国何城？你是夜叉、天神、乾闼婆，抑或罗刹？因为你并非人形。请说——你欲成就何事？”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights prudent discernment: when confronted with extraordinary power or appearance, responsible leaders first seek clarity of identity and intention. Ethical action in public life begins with careful inquiry—knowing who stands before you and what purpose they pursue—before forming alliances, offering honor, or taking defensive measures.
A gathering of kings sees a figure of striking, non-human-like splendor. Uncertain whether he is a celestial being (Yaksha, Deva, Gandharva) or a dangerous being (Rakshasa), they question him directly about his identity, lineage, residence, and the objective he intends to achieve.