Shloka 16

Matsya Purana — Devayānī Meets Yayāti: Courtship

Devanagari script

*ययातिरुवाच मृगलिप्सुरहं भद्रे पानीयार्थम् इहागतः बहुधाप्यनुयुक्तो ऽस्मि त्वम् अनुज्ञातुमर्हसि //

Transliteration

*yayātiruvāca mṛgalipsurahaṃ bhadre pānīyārtham ihāgataḥ bahudhāpyanuyukto 'smi tvam anujñātumarhasi //

Translation

Yayāti said: “O auspicious lady, seeking game I have come here, and also in search of water to drink. Though I have been questioned in many ways, you should grant me leave now.”

Word by Word

• ययातिः (yayātiḥ): King Yayāti

• उवाच (uvāca): said

• मृग-लिप्सुः (mṛga-lipsuḥ): desiring to catch game, intent on hunting

• अहम् (aham): I

• भद्रे (bhadre): O gracious/auspicious lady

• पानीय-अर्थम् (pānīya-artham): for the sake of water, to obtain drinking water

• इह (iha): here

• आगतः (āgataḥ): have come

• बहुधा अपि (bahudhā api): in many ways/again and again

• अनुयुक्तः अस्मि (anuyuktaḥ asmi): I have been questioned/interrogated

• त्वम् (tvam): you

• अनुज्ञातुम् (anujñātum): to permit, to grant leave

• अर्हसि (arhasi): you ought/are fit (to do so)

Speaker

• King Yayāti

Entities Mentioned

• Yayāti

Tags

• Dynasties
• Royal narrative
• Dialogue
• Ethics
• Hospitality

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it is a narrative dialogue where King Yayāti explains he came seeking water while hunting, reflecting a human-scale episode rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It models courteous, accountable speech: a king (or any householder) should explain his purpose honestly and request permission respectfully, aligning with dharmic conduct in social encounters.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its significance is primarily ethical and narrative (proper address and seeking consent).