Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — Devayānī–Śarmiṣṭhā Dialogue: Yayāti’s Transgression

Devanagari script

*शौनक उवाच श्रुत्वा कुमारं जातं सा देवयानी शुचिस्मिता चिन्तयाविष्टदुःखार्ता शर्मिष्ठां प्रति भारत //

Transliteration

*śaunaka uvāca śrutvā kumāraṃ jātaṃ sā devayānī śucismitā cintayāviṣṭaduḥkhārtā śarmiṣṭhāṃ prati bhārata //

Translation

Śaunaka said: Hearing that a son had been born, Devayānī—she of the pure smile—was overwhelmed by anxious thoughts and stricken with sorrow; she turned her mind toward Śarmiṣṭhā, O Bhārata.

Word by Word

• शौनक (śaunaka): Śaunaka

• उवाच (uvāca): said

• श्रुत्वा (śrutvā): having heard

• कुमारम् (kumāram): a son/prince

• जातम् (jātam): born

• सा (sā): she

• देवयानी (devayānī): Devayānī

• शुचिस्मिता (śucismitā): one with a pure/bright smile

• चिन्तया (cintayā): with worry/anxious thought

• आविष्ट (āviṣṭa): seized/overcome

• दुःखार्ता (duḥkhārtā): distressed by sorrow

• शर्मिष्ठाम् (śarmiṣṭhām): Śarmiṣṭhā

• प्रति (prati): toward/with regard to

• भारत (bhārata): O Bhārata (address to the listener)

Speaker

• Śaunaka

Entities Mentioned

• Śaunaka
• Devayānī
• Śarmiṣṭhā
• Bhārata

Tags

• Genealogy
• Dynasties
• Yayati
• Royal household
• Puranic narrative

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is part of a royal lineage narrative, focusing on domestic rivalry and succession rather than cosmic creation or Pralaya.

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

It highlights the household tensions that arise around heirs and legitimacy; in Purāṇic ethics, such emotions and rivalries are cautions for rulers and householders to uphold fairness, restraint, and dharma in family governance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; it functions as narrative setup for interpersonal conflict within a royal household.