Shloka 14

Matsya Purana — Devayānī Meets Yayāti: Courtship

Devanagari script

*ययातिरुवाच ब्रह्मचर्येण वेदो मे कृत्स्नः श्रुतिपथं गतः राजाहं राजपुत्रश्च ययातिरिति विश्रुतः //

Transliteration

*yayātiruvāca brahmacaryeṇa vedo me kṛtsnaḥ śrutipathaṃ gataḥ rājāhaṃ rājaputraśca yayātiriti viśrutaḥ //

Translation

Yayāti said: “Through the discipline of brahmacarya, the entire Veda has come within my hearing and study. I am a king, and also the son of a king; I am renowned by the name ‘Yayāti.’”

Word by Word

• ययातिः (Yayāti): King Yayati

• उवाच (uvāca): said

• ब्रह्मचर्येण (brahmacaryeṇa): through brahmacarya, by celibate Vedic discipline

• वेदः (vedaḥ): the Veda

• मे (me): for me, by me

• कृत्स्नः (kṛtsnaḥ): whole, complete

• श्रुतिपथम् (śrutipatham): the path of śruti, hearing/authoritative Vedic learning

• गतः (gataḥ): has gone to, has been attained

• राजा (rājā): king

• अहम् (aham): I

• राजपुत्रः (rājaputraḥ): son of a king/prince

• च (ca): and

• ययातिः (yayātiḥ): Yayāti

• इति (iti): thus, by the name

• विश्रुतः (viśrutaḥ): renowned, celebrated.

Speaker

• King Yayati

Entities Mentioned

• Yayati
• Veda
• Brahmacarya

Tags

• Dynasties
• Dharma
• Brahmacarya
• Royal Duties
• Vedic Learning

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on Yayāti’s personal authority—Vedic learning attained through brahmacarya—and his royal identity.

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

It presents the ideal foundation for kingship: mastery of śruti (Vedic knowledge) grounded in brahmacarya. The implication is that a ruler’s legitimacy and judgment should be anchored in disciplined learning before exercising power.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple-architecture rule appears here; the ritual takeaway is the emphasis on brahmacarya as the enabling discipline for proper Vedic recitation, study, and śrauta/smārta observance.