Shloka 10

Matsya Purana — Devayānī Meets Yayāti: Courtship

Devanagari script

इयं च मे सखी दासी यत्राहं तत्र गामिनी दुहिता दानवेन्द्रस्य शर्मिष्ठा वृषपर्वणः //

Transliteration

iyaṃ ca me sakhī dāsī yatrāhaṃ tatra gāminī duhitā dānavendrasya śarmiṣṭhā vṛṣaparvaṇaḥ //

Translation

“And this one is my companion and handmaid; wherever I go, she is to accompany me—Śarmiṣṭhā, the daughter of Vṛṣaparvan, lord of the Dānavas.”

Word by Word

• iyam: this (woman)

• ca: and

• me: my

• sakhī: friend/companion

• dāsī: maidservant/handmaid

• yatra: wherever

• aham: I

• tatra: there

• gāminī: one who goes/follows

• duhitā: daughter

• dānavendrasya: of the lord of the Dānavas

• śarmiṣṭhā: Sharmishtha (proper name)

• vṛṣaparvaṇaḥ: of Vrishaparvan (proper name)

Speaker

• Devayānī (traditionally speaking to King Yayāti / her attendants in the Yayati episode)

Entities Mentioned

• Śarmiṣṭhā
• Vṛṣaparvan
• Dānavas

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Yayati
• Social roles
• Puranic narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it belongs to a genealogical-narrative episode describing personal relations and lineage (Śarmiṣṭhā as the Dānava king’s daughter).

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

It frames household and courtly protocol: the speaker identifies Śarmiṣṭhā’s status (companion and handmaid) and prescribes her attendant role (“wherever I go, she follows”), reflecting norms of retinue, service, and social hierarchy in royal/household life.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned; the verse is purely narrative and genealogical, identifying Śarmiṣṭhā and her lineage.