Shloka 17
ययातिदौहित्रपुण्यसमुच्चयः | Yayāti and the Grandsons’ Consolidation of Merit
ययातिरुवाच ययातिरस्मि राजर्षि: क्षीणपुण्यश्ष्युतो दिव: । पतेयं सत्स्विति ध्यायन् भवत्सु पतितस्तत:
yayātir uvāca—yayātir asmi rājarṣiḥ kṣīṇapuṇyaś cyuto divaḥ | pateyaṃ satsv iti dhyāyan bhavatsu patitas tataḥ ||
耶耶提说道：“我乃耶耶提，王中仙（王仙）。因福德耗尽，我自天界坠落。坠落之时，我心中反复思量：‘愿我落在贤善之人中。’故而我降至此处，落在诸君之间。”
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.