Matsya Purana — Devayānī Meets Yayāti: Courtship, Shloka 23

Devanagari script

*ययातिरुवाच क्रुद्धादाशीविषात् सर्पाज् ज्वलनात्सर्वतोमुखात् दुराधर्षतरो विप्रः पुरुषेण विजानता //

Transliteration

*yayātiruvāca kruddhādāśīviṣāt sarpāj jvalanātsarvatomukhāt durādharṣataro vipraḥ puruṣeṇa vijānatā //

Translation

Yayāti sprach: „Für den Einsichtigen ist ein zorniger Brāhmaṇa noch schwerer zu widerstehen als eine Giftschlange oder ein alles verzehrendes Feuer, das von allen Seiten lodert, gleichsam mit Mündern ringsum.“

Word by Word

• ययातिः उवाच: Yayāti said

• क्रुद्धात्: than one who is angry/wrathful

• आशीविषात्: than a highly venomous snake

• सर्पात्: than a serpent

• ज्वलनात्: than fire/flame

• सर्वतोमुखात्: having mouths on all sides (all-devouring, surrounding)

• दुराधर्षतरः: more difficult to resist/overpower

• विप्रः: a brāhmaṇa, learned priest/sage

• पुरुषेण: by a man/person

• विजानता: who knows, who is discerning/wise.

Speaker

• King Yayāti

Entities Mentioned

• Yayāti
• Vipra (Brāhmaṇa)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Dharma
• Royal Ethics
• Speech Ethics
• Brāhmaṇa

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it is an ethical warning within a royal-dynastic narrative, stressing that social-spiritual power (a wrathful brāhmaṇa’s curse) can be more perilous than physical dangers.

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

It advises restraint and reverence: a king (and householder) should avoid provoking learned brāhmaṇas, govern with humility, and maintain disciplined speech and conduct to prevent ruin caused by anger and its consequences.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-building rule is stated here; the ritual takeaway is indirect—honoring brāhmaṇas and maintaining respectful conduct supports yajña (sacrificial) order and social harmony central to Purāṇic dharma.