Shloka 16

Matsya Purana — Devayānī and Śarmiṣṭhā’s Quarrel

Devanagari script

तामपृच्छत्स दृष्ट्वैव कन्याममरवर्णिनीम् सान्त्वयित्वा नृपश्रेष्ठः साम्ना परमवल्गुना //

Transliteration

tāmapṛcchatsa dṛṣṭvaiva kanyāmamaravarṇinīm sāntvayitvā nṛpaśreṣṭhaḥ sāmnā paramavalgunā //

Translation

Seeing that maiden—radiant with a beauty like that of the immortals—the best of kings first soothed and reassured her, and then questioned her gently with exceedingly pleasing words.

Word by Word

• ताम (tām): her/that (maiden)

• अपृच्छत् (apṛcchat): asked, inquired

• सः (saḥ): he

• दृष्ट्वा एव (dṛṣṭvā eva): having seen indeed/at once upon seeing

• कन्याम् (kanyām): the maiden

• अमर-वर्णिनीम् (amara-varṇinīm): of godlike appearance, having the complexion/beauty of the immortals

• सान्त्वयित्वा (sāntvayitvā): having comforted, having consoled

• नृप-श्रेष्ठः (nṛpa-śreṣṭhaḥ): the foremost of kings

• साम्ना (sāmnā): with conciliatory speech, with gentle persuasion

• परम-वल्गुना (parama-valgunā): exceedingly sweet/pleasing/charming (speech).

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the king’s actions (narrative voice)

Entities Mentioned

• nṛpaśreṣṭha (the best of kings)
• kanyā (maiden)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Courtly conduct
• Dialogue
• Ethics
• Narrative episode

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya or cosmology; it focuses on interpersonal conduct—how a king approaches someone with gentleness before questioning.

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

It exemplifies rajadharma: a ruler should first remove fear and distress (sāntvana) and then inquire using sāman—conciliatory, pleasing speech—rather than harshness or coercion.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or ritual procedure is stated here; the key takeaway is ethical protocol in speech and approach, not temple-building or rites.