He who walks the path of virtue should be honored and protected by the righteous, receiving their respect from the front and their guardianship from behind. Even when faced with harsh words from the wicked, he must endure patiently, ever following the conduct of the noble and treading the path of the virtuous. Words, like arrows, fly from the mouths of people; those struck by them suffer in their hearts, grieving day and night. Just as a wise person would never shoot an arrow to harm another’s vital points, so too should one restrain from uttering words that wound others deeply. Nowhere in the three worlds is there a harmony greater than that which arises from compassion, friendship toward all beings, generosity, and gentle, sweet speech. Therefore, one should always speak soothing words, never harsh ones. Honor those who are worthy, give generously, and never beg from anyone. Having fulfilled all your duties, O King, you have left your home and entered the forest. Tell me, son of Nahusha, by what austerity are you considered equal to Yayati? Among gods, humans, gandharvas, and great sages, I see none who matches me in austerity, O Vasava. Yet, when you disregarded those who were your equals, superiors, or inferiors—whose true power was unknown to you—your worlds came to an end, and your merit was exhausted. Thus, you have fallen today, O King. Because my heavenly realms have perished due to my disrespect toward the gods, sages, gandharvas, and men, I now wish, deprived of the world of the gods, to fall among the virtuous, O king of the gods. You have indeed fallen among the virtuous, O King, where you have regained your standing. Know this, O Yayati, and never again disregard those who are your equals or superiors. As Yayati fell from the blessed worlds once enjoyed by the king of the immortals, the illustrious royal sage Ashtaka, protector of righteousness, saw him and spoke: “Who are you, young man, whose form equals that of Vasava, shining with your own brilliance like fire? You fall from the darkness of the storm clouds, the foremost among sky-dwellers, like the sun descending.” “We have watched you falling from the path of the sun, radiant like fire and the sun itself, and we are all bewildered, wondering what it is that falls. Seeing you standing on the path of the gods, with a splendor equal to Indra, the sun, and Vishnu, we have approached you today, eager to know the truth of your descent. Yet, we do not dare to question you first, nor do you ask who we are. Therefore, I ask you, O one of desirable form: whose are you, and for what reason have you come?” “Let your fear depart, abandon sorrow and confusion, O one of Indra-like splendor. Even Indra, though powerful, could not endure you dwelling among the virtuous. The virtuous are a refuge for those deprived of happiness, always like the king of the immortals among the good. Whether stationary or moving, you are established among those who are your equals, among the virtuous. Agni is sovereign in burning, the earth in sustaining, the sun in shining, and among the virtuous, the guest is sovereign.” Yayati replied, “I am Yayati, son of Nahusha, father of Puru, cast down from the worlds of gods, siddhas, and sages. I have fallen because I disrespected all beings; my merit is now exhausted. Though I am older than you in age, I do not offer you my salutation; among the twice-born, one is honored who is elder by knowledge, austerity, or birth.” Ashtaka replied, “You have spoken, and he who is advanced in age is called superior, O King; but among the twice-born, only he who is advanced in knowledge and austerity is truly worthy of honor.” They agreed that acting against righteousness is sinful and leads to evil realms. The good do not follow the ways of the wicked but act as is proper for the virtuous. Yayati continued, “Once I possessed great wealth, but now it is gone. Though I strive, I cannot recover it. Thus, one who is steadfast in seeking his own good and acts accordingly truly understands life. He who performs great sacrifices with abundant wealth, whose mind is disciplined in all branches of knowledge, who studies the Vedas and dedicates his body to austerity—such a man, free from delusion, attains heaven. Yet, knowing that destiny is powerful, one should act with understanding.” “Whatever happiness or sorrow a creature experiences comes by fate, not by his own power. Therefore, considering destiny to be strong, one should neither grieve nor rejoice excessively. The wise should always remain even-minded, thinking that destiny is powerful, and should neither be tormented by sorrow nor exult in happiness.” “O Ashtaka, I am never bewildered by fear nor do I suffer mental distress. As the Creator has ordained for me in this world, so surely shall I become. All beings—those born from sweat, from eggs, from sprouts, reptiles, worms, and fish in the waters, as well as stones, grass, and wood—when their allotted time ends, all return to their own nature.” “Knowing the impermanence of happiness and suffering, O Ashtaka, why should I be distressed? What should I do, or not do, that would cause me pain? Therefore, I avoid sorrow, remaining attentive.” As Yayati spoke thus, Ashtaka questioned him further: “Grandfather, endowed with all virtues, as you dwelt in heaven, tell me truly. Tell me of all those worlds, chief among earthly rulers, which you enjoyed and for how long; explain them all, for you are one who knows dharma.” Yayati replied, “I was once a universal monarch here, and then I conquered great worlds. There I dwelt for a thousand years, and after that, I attained a higher world. Then I dwelt in the delightful city of Indra, with a thousand gates and a hundred yojanas in extent, for a thousand years, and after that, I attained a higher world. Then, attaining the divine, ageless world of the Lord of Creatures, difficult to reach even for the ruler of the worlds, I dwelt there for a thousand years, and after that, I attained a higher world still.” “There, in the abode of the god of gods, I enjoyed myself freely among the worlds as I wished, honored by all the gods, my splendor and power equal to that of the lords of the gods. In the same way, in Nandana, able to assume any form at will, I spent a hundred thousand years, delighting with the Apsarases and beholding fragrant, blossoming, and beautiful trees.” “But while I remained there, attached to pleasures, after a very long time had passed, a fierce messenger of the gods shouted to me in a thunderous voice, three times: ‘Fall!’” “This much I know, O lion among kings: Fallen from Nandana, my merit exhausted, I heard the compassionate voices of the gods in the sky lamenting for me. Alas, how terrible! Yayati, whose deeds and fame were righteous, now falls, his merit spent. As I was falling, I wondered: ‘How can I, among the virtuous, fall down in their midst?’” “They told me of your sacrificial ground, and seeing it, I quickly came here. Perceiving the fragrance of the offerings and the smoke rising from the altar, I arrived with certainty.