Matsya Purana — Devayānī–Śarmiṣṭhā Dialogue: Yayāti’s Transgression, Shloka 4

Devanagari script

नाहमन्यायतः कामम् आचरामि शुचिस्मिते तस्माद् ऋषेर् ममापत्यम् इति सत्यं ब्रवीमि ते //

Transliteration

nāhamanyāyataḥ kāmam ācarāmi śucismite tasmād ṛṣer mamāpatyam iti satyaṃ bravīmi te //

Translation

يا ذاتَ الابتسامةِ الطاهرة، لستُ أُتْبِعُ الشهوةَ على وجهٍ غيرِ عادل؛ لذلك أقول لكِ الحقَّ: «هذا الطفلُ لي، ومن ذلك الرِّشي.»

Word by Word

• na: not

• aham: I

• anyāyataḥ: unlawfully, contrary to dharma

• kāmam: desire, passion

• ācarāmi: I practice, I engage in

• śuci-smite: O one with a pure smile

• tasmāt: therefore

• ṛṣeḥ: of/from the sage

• mama: my

• apatyam: offspring, child

• iti: thus

• satyam: truth

• bravīmi: I speak

• te: to you

Speaker

• A male speaker in a dynastic narrative (likely a king or noble) addressing a woman (śucismite) while asserting dharmic legitimacy of offspring

Entities Mentioned

• Rishi (ṛṣi)
• Apatya (offspring)

Tags

• Dharma
• Lineage
• Truthfulness
• Legitimacy
• Genealogy

FAQs

What does this verse reveal about the creation or dissolution (Pralaya)?

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on dharma—restraining desire and speaking truthfully about lineage.

How does this verse relate to the duties of a King or Householder?

It upholds the householder/royal duty of self-control (kāma under dharma) and satya (truthfulness), especially regarding family legitimacy and social order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu, temple, or ritual procedure is stated here; the emphasis is ethical—lawful conduct and truthful declaration.