Matsya Purana — Devayānī–Śarmiṣṭhā Dialogue: Yayāti’s Transgression, Shloka 6

Devanagari script

शोभनं भीरु सत्यं चेत् कथं स ज्ञायते द्विजः गोत्रनामाभिजनतः श्रोतुमिच्छामि तं द्विजम् //

Transliteration

śobhanaṃ bhīru satyaṃ cet kathaṃ sa jñāyate dvijaḥ gotranāmābhijanataḥ śrotumicchāmi taṃ dvijam //

Translation

O Sanfte, wenn Wahrheit wahrlich das Kennzeichen des Edlen ist, wie wird dann ein „Dvija“ (Zweimalgeborener) erkannt? Etwa durch seine Abstammung—Gotra, Name und Familienherkunft? Ich wünsche von jenem wahren Dvija zu hören.

Word by Word

• śobhanam: noble/auspicious

• bhīru: O gentle one/O timid one (vocative)

• satyam: truth

• cet: if

• katham: how

• saḥ: he

• jñāyate: is known/recognized

• dvijaḥ: twice-born (esp. Brahmin)

• gotra: clan lineage

• nāma: name

• abhijanataḥ: from noble birth/from family descent

• śrotum: to hear

• icchāmi: I desire

• tam: that

• dvijam: dvija (accusative), the true twice-born man

Speaker

• Vaivasvata Manu (questioning Lord Matsya)

Entities Mentioned

• Dvija
• Gotra

Tags

• Dharma
• Brahminhood
• Lineage
• Truth
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it focuses on dharma—how to identify a true dvija and whether truth and conduct outweigh mere lineage.

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

It frames a governance and social-ethics concern: a king/householder must evaluate people by character (especially truthfulness) rather than relying only on gotra, name, and birth when granting honor, trust, or responsibility.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-architecture rule appears here; the verse is a moral inquiry about social recognition and the standards of dvija identity.