Shloka 34

Matsya Purana — Devayānī and Śarmiṣṭhā’s Quarrel

Devanagari script

सुताहं स्तूयमानस्य ददतो ऽप्रतिगृह्णतः इति मामाह शर्मिष्ठा दुहिता वृषपर्वणः क्रोधसंरक्तनयना दर्पपूर्णानना ततः //

Transliteration

sutāhaṃ stūyamānasya dadato 'pratigṛhṇataḥ iti māmāha śarmiṣṭhā duhitā vṛṣaparvaṇaḥ krodhasaṃraktanayanā darpapūrṇānanā tataḥ //

Translation

Then Śarmiṣṭhā, the daughter of Vṛṣaparvan—her eyes reddened with anger and her face swollen with pride—said to me: “I am the daughter of one who is praised, who gives, and who does not accept gifts in return.”

Word by Word

• sutā: daughter

• aham: I

• stūyamānasya: of one who is being praised / celebrated

• dadataḥ: of one who gives

• apratigṛhṇataḥ: of one who does not accept (gifts/returns)

• iti: thus

• mām: to me

• āha: said

• śarmiṣṭhā: Śarmiṣṭhā

• duhitā: daughter

• vṛṣaparvaṇaḥ: of Vṛṣaparvan

• krodha-saṃrakta-nayanā: having eyes reddened by anger

• darpa-pūrṇa-ānanā: having a face full of pride

• tataḥ: then/thereupon.

Speaker

• Narrator (Sūta or Purāṇic narrator) reporting Śarmiṣṭhā’s speech

Entities Mentioned

• Śarmiṣṭhā
• Vṛṣaparvan

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Royal Etiquette
• Pride and Anger
• Yayati Episode

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse belongs to a dynastic narrative and highlights social status and temperament (pride and anger), not cosmology or Pralaya.

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

It reflects ideals of royal reputation and conduct—being “praised,” “generous,” and “not accepting gifts in return” signals independence and honor, themes often used in Purāṇas to frame righteous rulership and disciplined household ethics.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated here; the verse is primarily character-description within a genealogy-focused episode.