One should never be a reviler, nor speak cruelly, nor take what belongs to those less fortunate. Words that cause fear or are driven by greed and harshness should never be uttered. For a person who wounds others with words like thorns, who is harsh and reviling, is most unfortunate among people—carrying destruction bound to his very mouth. Instead, the virtuous should honor such a one in front, protect him from behind, and always endure the harsh words of the good, maintaining the conduct of the righteous and preserving good character. Words, after all, are like arrows: when they leave the mouth, they can grieve those struck by them for days, yet they do not pierce the vital parts. Therefore, the wise do not release such words against others. In all the three worlds, there is nothing to compare with the union of friendship among people, the act of giving, and sweet speech. Thus, gentle words should always be spoken, never harsh ones; one should honor the worthy, give generously, and never utter a curse. Having fulfilled all his duties, King Yayati abandoned his home and went to the forest. There he was asked, “O son of Nahusha, by whose austerity is Yayati equaled?” To this, Yayati replied, “Among gods, humans, Gandharvas, or great sages, O Vasava, I see no one who matches me in austerity.” Yet, when Yayati disregarded those who were his equals, superiors, or inferiors—failing to recognize their true power—his worlds came to an end, his merit depleted, and he fell from his exalted place. Yayati himself confessed, “Because I disrespected gods, sages, Gandharvas, and men, my heavenly realms have diminished. Deprived of the world of the gods, O King of the gods, I wish now to fall among the virtuous.” He was told, “You have indeed fallen among the virtuous, O King, losing your position, but here you may regain it. Know this, O Yayati, and never disdain those who are equal or superior.” Thus, Yayati fell from the blessed world once enjoyed by the king of immortals. As he fell, the foremost royal sage, Ashtaka, protector of righteousness, saw him and spoke: “Who are you, young man, whose form equals Vasava, shining with your own brilliance like fire, falling like a radiant cloud, foremost among sky-dwellers like the sun? Seeing you fall from the path of the sun, possessing immeasurable brilliance, all are bewildered, speculating about you. Seeing you established on the divine path, with glory equal to Indra, the sun, and Vishnu, we have come forth to meet you, wishing to know the reason for your fall. None of us dares to question you directly, nor do you ask who we are. I ask you, whose form is desirable: who are you, and for what reason have you come?” He reassured the fallen king, “Let your fear depart, abandon sorrow and confusion, you whose form equals Indra. Even Indra, though powerful, could not endure you among the virtuous. The virtuous are always a refuge for those who have lost happiness; among the virtuous, you are like the king of immortals. All beings, moving and unmoving, are gathered here; you are established among those who are equal. Fire is master in burning, earth in receiving, the sun in shining, and among the virtuous, the one who arrives is master.” Yayati replied, “I am Yayati, son of Nahusha, father of Puru. Because I disrespected all beings, I have fallen from the world of gods and perfected ones, cast down with little merit. I am older than you in age, and so I do not offer you greeting. Among the twice-born, he who is elder by knowledge, austerity, or birth is honored.” Ashtaka responded, “You spoke, ‘I am elder by age,’ O King, but one advanced in knowledge and austerity is truly honored among the twice-born. Acting against righteousness is sinful, and those who follow such a path fall into evil worlds. The virtuous do not follow the unvirtuous; you spoke against their nature.” Yayati reflected, “I had abundant wealth, but striving, I have attained this state. One who acts with resolve for self-benefit understands, and the wise follow this path. In the world of living beings, there are many diverse forms, all subject to destiny, their power of action lost; having attained whatever is allotted, the wise man should not be disturbed, thinking with his own understanding that fate is stronger. Indeed, whether happiness or sorrow, a creature experiences it by destiny, not by its own power; therefore, considering fate to be powerful, one should neither grieve nor exult. In suffering, one should not be tormented; in happiness, one should not rejoice; the wise should always remain even-minded, thinking fate is powerful, and should neither be distressed nor delighted. In fear, I am never bewildered, O Ashtaka; no distress arises in my mind; as the Creator ordains for me in the world, so surely shall I become—thus I reflect. Those born of sweat, of eggs, of sprouts, reptiles, worms, and fish in the waters, as well as stones, grass, and wood—all, when their destined end arrives, return to their own nature. Recognizing the impermanence of happiness and sorrow, why should I, O Ashtaka, be distressed? What could I do, or having done, not be afflicted? Therefore, being vigilant, I avoid sorrow.” Ashtaka then asked, “Grandfather, endowed with all virtues, tell me truly how you resided in the world of heaven. Tell me in detail about all those principal worlds you enjoyed, and at what times and in what manner; speak to me of all this, O king, as one who knows the field, for you speak of dharma.” Yayati replied, “Here, I was a universal monarch; then I attained great worlds and dwelled there for a thousand years; after that, I reached even higher worlds. Then I dwelled in the delightful city of Puruhuta, with a thousand gates, extending a hundred yojanas, for a thousand years; after that, I attained even higher worlds. Then, having attained the divine, ageless world of the Lord of Creatures, difficult to reach even for the lord of the world, I dwelled there for a thousand years; after that, I attained even higher worlds. In the abode of the god of gods, having conquered the worlds, I dwelled as I wished, honored by all the gods, possessing splendor and power equal to the lords. In the same way, I dwelled in Nandana, assuming forms at will, for a hundred thousand years, moving with the Apsarases, enjoying fragrant breezes, and beholding beautiful, blossoming trees.” “There, as I remained, attached to the pleasures of the gods, after a long time had passed, a fierce messenger of the gods spoke loudly to me, saying three times, ‘Be destroyed!’ This much, O lion among kings, is known to me; then, fallen from Nandana, my merit exhausted, I heard the voices of the gods in the sky, lamenting me with compassion, O king. Suddenly, I, Yayati, whose merit was exhausted—though famed for virtue—fell. As I was falling, I asked them, ‘How can I, among the virtuous, fall down?’” Thus, the story of Yayati’s fall and his reflections on virtue, destiny, and the impermanence of all things was revealed, teaching all who hear it the true nature of speech, conduct, and fate.