Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — Devayānī Meets Yayāti: Courtship

Devanagari script

*शौनक उवाच अथ दीर्घेण कालेन देवयानी नृपोत्तम वनं तदैव निर्याता क्रीडार्थं वरवर्णिनी //

Transliteration

*śaunaka uvāca atha dīrgheṇa kālena devayānī nṛpottama vanaṃ tadaiva niryātā krīḍārthaṃ varavarṇinī //

Translation

Śaunaka said: After a long time, O best of kings, the fair-complexioned Devayānī then set out to the forest at once, for the sake of recreation.

Word by Word

• शौनक (śaunaka): Śaunaka

• उवाच (uvāca): said

• अथ (atha): then/thereupon

• दीर्घेण कालेन (dīrgheṇa kālena): after a long time

• देवयानी (devayānī): Devayānī (name of a woman)

• नृपोत्तम (nṛpottama): O best of kings

• वनम् (vanaṃ): to the forest

• तदैव (tadaiva): just then/at that very time

• निर्याता (niryātā): went out/set forth

• क्रीडार्थम् (krīḍārthaṃ): for play/recreation

• वरवर्णिनी (varavarṇinī): the lovely/fair-hued lady

Speaker

• Śaunaka

Entities Mentioned

• Śaunaka
• Devayānī

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Yayati
• Narrative
• Forest

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it functions as a narrative transition, introducing Devayānī’s movement into the forest, likely setting up a dynastic or moral episode.

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

By addressing “O best of kings,” the text frames the account as instruction-worthy for rulers: royal listeners are expected to learn dharma through historical exemplars and turning points in family and dynastic narratives.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned in this verse; it is purely a scene-setting statement about a forest outing for recreation.