Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — Devayānī Meets Yayāti: Courtship

Devanagari script

*देवयान्युवाच द्वाभ्यां कन्यासहस्राभ्यां दास्या शर्मिष्ठया सह त्वदधीनास्मि भद्रं ते सखे भर्ता च मे भव //

Transliteration

*devayānyuvāca dvābhyāṃ kanyāsahasrābhyāṃ dāsyā śarmiṣṭhayā saha tvadadhīnāsmi bhadraṃ te sakhe bhartā ca me bhava //

Translation

Devayānī said: “Together with two thousand maiden attendants, and with the maidservant Śarmiṣṭhā, I am now under your protection. Good fortune to you, friend—be also my husband.”

Word by Word

• devayānī uvāca: Devayānī said

• dvābhyām: with two

• kanyā-sahasrābhyām: thousands of maidens (i.e., two thousand maiden attendants)

• dāsyā: with the maidservant

• śarmiṣṭhayā saha: together with Śarmiṣṭhā

• tvat-adhīnā asmi: I am dependent on you / under your authority and protection

• bhadram te: blessings to you / may it be auspicious for you

• sakhe: O friend

• bhartā ca: and (as) husband

• me: my

• bhava: become

Speaker

• Devayānī

Entities Mentioned

• Devayānī
• Śarmiṣṭhā

Tags

• Yayati
• Genealogy
• Marriage
• Royal Dharma
• Social Order

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it belongs to a dynastic-episode narrative focused on personal alliance, protection, and marriage within royal genealogy.

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

It highlights the dharmic expectation of protection and responsibility: accepting someone “under one’s protection” implies guardianship, and the request for marriage frames householdership as a social-religious institution tied to duty, lineage, and lawful union.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vāstu/temple-building or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its significance is narrative and social—concerning attendants, service status, and marital commitment.