Shloka 13

Matsya Purana — Devayānī and Śarmiṣṭhā’s Quarrel

Devanagari script

हतेयमिति विज्ञाय शर्मिष्ठा पापनिश्चया अनवेक्ष्य ययौ तस्मात् क्रोधवेगपरायणा //

Transliteration

hateyamiti vijñāya śarmiṣṭhā pāpaniścayā anavekṣya yayau tasmāt krodhavegaparāyaṇā //

Translation

Realizing, “She has been struck,” Śarmiṣṭhā—fixed in a sinful resolve—went away from that place without looking back, driven onward by the force of her anger.

Word by Word

• हत-इयम् (hatā iyam): 'this (woman) has been struck/assaulted'

• इति (iti): 'thus'

• विज्ञाय (vijñāya): 'having understood/realized'

• शर्मिष्ठा (śarmiṣṭhā): 'Śarmiṣṭhā'

• पाप-निश्चया (pāpa-niścayā): 'one resolved upon wrongdoing/evil intent'

• अनवेक्ष्य (anavekṣya): 'without looking back/without considering'

• ययौ (yayau): 'went away/departed'

• तस्मात् (tasmāt): 'from there/from that place'

• क्रोध-वेग-परायणा (krodha-vega-parāyaṇā): 'carried along/wholly given over to the rush of anger'

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) recounting the episode within the Matsya Purana’s dynastic narrative

Entities Mentioned

• Śarmiṣṭhā

Tags

• Dynasties
• Anger
• Ethics
• Karma
• RoyalNarrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it is part of a dynastic-ethical narrative showing how anger and wrongful resolve drive harmful action and its consequences.

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

It warns against krodha (anger) and pāpa-niścaya (settled intent to do wrong). For rulers and householders, self-restraint and careful consideration (not acting “without looking back”) are key to dharma and social stability.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu Shastra, temple-building rule, or ritual procedure is mentioned in this verse; its significance is ethical and narrative, centered on anger-driven conduct.