Shloka 35

Matsya Purana — Devayānī and Śarmiṣṭhā’s Quarrel

Devanagari script

*शुक्र उवाच स्तुवतो दुहिता न त्वं भद्रे न प्रतिगृह्णतः अतस्त्वं स्तूयमानस्य दुहिता देवयान्यसि //

Transliteration

*śukra uvāca stuvato duhitā na tvaṃ bhadre na pratigṛhṇataḥ atastvaṃ stūyamānasya duhitā devayānyasi //

Translation

Śukra said: “O gentle one, you are not the daughter of one who offers praise yet does not accept what is due. Therefore you are indeed the daughter of the one who is praised; hence you are Devayānī.”

Word by Word

• śukraḥ: Śukra (the preceptor of the Asuras)

• uvāca: said

• stuvataḥ: of one who praises (a praiser)

• duhitā: daughter

• na: not

• tvam: you

• bhadre: O auspicious/gentle one

• na pratigṛhṇataḥ: of one who does not accept/receive (what is offered or due)

• ataḥ: therefore

• tvam: you

• stūyamānasya: of one who is being praised (the praised person)

• duhitā: daughter

• devayānī: Devayānī (name implying ‘divine path’/daughter of the praised)

• asi: are

Speaker

• Śukra

Entities Mentioned

• Śukra
• Devayānī

Tags

• Genealogy
• Yayati
• Devayānī
• Dialogue
• Dharma of speech

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it belongs to a dynastic-legend context, focusing instead on speech, praise (stuti), and social-ethical propriety.

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

It implies a dharmic norm: one who receives honor, gifts, or due offerings should accept appropriately rather than reject without cause—an ethical cue relevant to householders and rulers in maintaining proper reciprocity and social order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu/temple-building or ritual procedure is stated here; the verse is primarily a wordplay/etymological identification of Devayānī tied to praise and acceptance.