Shloka 13

Matsya Purana — Devayānī Meets Yayāti: Courtship

Devanagari script

राजवद्रूपवेषौ ते ब्राह्मीं वाचं बिभर्षि च किंनामा त्वं कुतश्चासि कस्य पुत्रश्च शंस मे //

Transliteration

rājavadrūpaveṣau te brāhmīṃ vācaṃ bibharṣi ca kiṃnāmā tvaṃ kutaścāsi kasya putraśca śaṃsa me //

Translation

Your form and attire are like those of a king, and you also speak with a Brahmin’s refined speech. What is your name? From where have you come? And whose son are you? Tell me.

Word by Word

• राजवत् (rājavat): like a king

• रूप (rūpa): form/appearance

• वेषौ (veṣau): dress/attire

• ते (te): your

• ब्राह्मीम् (brāhmīm): Brahmin-like, refined/sacred

• वाचम् (vācam): speech

• बिभर्षि (bibharṣi): you bear/you possess

• च (ca): and

• किं नाम (kiṃ nāma): what name

• त्वम् (tvam): you

• कुतः (kutaḥ): from where

• च (ca): and

• असि (asi): are/come

• कस्य (kasya): of whom/whose

• पुत्रः (putraḥ): son

• च (ca): and

• शंस (śaṃsa): tell/declare

• मे (me): to me

Speaker

• An inquirer (likely a king or authority figure within the narrative) addressing an unknown visitor

Tags

• Identity
• Lineage
• Royal Etiquette
• Dialogue
• Genealogy

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it focuses on establishing identity and lineage, a common narrative step before revealing a larger cosmic or historical context.

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

It reflects proper royal inquiry: assessing a visitor’s status through dress, speech, and lineage—important for a ruler’s discernment (viveka) and orderly governance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or ritual procedure is stated here; the verse is purely conversational, setting up who the person is before any doctrinal or technical instruction follows.