Shloka 14

Matsya Purana — Devayānī and Śarmiṣṭhā’s Quarrel

Devanagari script

अथ तं देशमभ्यागाद् ययातिर्नहुषात्मजः श्रान्तयुग्यः श्रान्तरूपो मृगलिप्सुः पिपासितः //

Transliteration

atha taṃ deśamabhyāgād yayātirnahuṣātmajaḥ śrāntayugyaḥ śrāntarūpo mṛgalipsuḥ pipāsitaḥ //

Translation

Then Yayāti, the son of Nahuṣa, came to that region—his draft animals exhausted, his own appearance worn with fatigue, eager for game, and tormented by thirst.

Word by Word

• atha: then

• taṃ: that

• deśam: region/country

• abhyāgāt: approached/came near

• yayātiḥ: King Yayāti

• nahuṣa-ātmajaḥ: son of Nahuṣa

• śrānta-yugyaḥ: whose yoked animals (horses/oxen) were weary

• śrānta-rūpaḥ: having a fatigued appearance

• mṛga-lipsuḥ: desiring to hunt game

• pipāsitaḥ: thirsty

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) recounting the dynasty narrative within the Matsya Purana frame

Entities Mentioned

• Yayāti
• Nahuṣa

Tags

• Dynasties
• Ancient Indian genealogy
• Royal narrative
• Hunting
• Travel

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it situates a historical-genealogical narrative by describing King Yayāti arriving in a certain region while fatigued and thirsty.

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

It reflects a royal lifestyle element often noted in Purāṇic kingship—travel with a retinue and hunting—while also highlighting human limits (fatigue, thirst), which later episodes typically use to pivot toward counsel, ethics, or turning points in a king’s conduct.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-architecture, or ritual procedure is specified in this verse; it is a narrative scene-setting line in the Yayāti genealogy/episode.