Shloka 11

Matsya Purana — Devayānī Meets Yayāti: Courtship

Devanagari script

*ययातिरुवाच कथं तु ते सखी दासी कन्येयं वरवर्णिनी असुरेन्द्रसुता सुभूः परं कौतूहलं हि मे //

Transliteration

*yayātiruvāca kathaṃ tu te sakhī dāsī kanyeyaṃ varavarṇinī asurendrasutā subhūḥ paraṃ kautūhalaṃ hi me //

Translation

Yayāti said: “How is it that this maiden of radiant beauty—though your friend—is (now) your maidservant? She is Śubhū, the daughter of the lord of the Asuras. This fills me with the greatest curiosity.”

Word by Word

• ययातिः उवाच: Yayāti said

• कथम्: how

• तु: indeed/then

• ते: your

• सखी: friend

• दासी: maidservant/slave-girl

• कन्या इयम्: this maiden

• वर-वर्णिनी: of excellent complexion/beautiful

• असुर-इन्द्र-सुता: daughter of the king/lord of the Asuras

• सुभूः: Shubhū (proper name)

• परम्: great/utmost

• कौतूहलम्: curiosity/wonder

• हि: indeed

• मे: for me/to me

Speaker

• King Yayati

Entities Mentioned

• Yayati
• Shubhū (Asurendra-sutā)
• Asurendra (lord of the Asuras)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Royal Dialogue
• Asuras
• Narrative

FAQs

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

This verse is part of a genealogical-narrative episode (Yayāti’s inquiry) and does not address Pralaya; it focuses on social status, identity, and the circumstances around an Asura king’s daughter.

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

Yayāti’s question reflects a king’s duty to investigate lineage, social obligations, and the ethical implications of relationships within the royal household—especially when a noble-born woman is treated as a servant.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu Shastra, temple architecture, or ritual procedure is referenced in this verse; it is a narrative inquiry within the dynastic section.