Shloka 20

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

Devanagari script

*शर्मिष्ठोवाच यदुक्तमृषिरित्येव तत्सत्यं चारुहासिनि न्यायतो धर्मतश्चैव चरन्ती न बिभेमि ते //

Transliteration

*śarmiṣṭhovāca yaduktamṛṣirityeva tatsatyaṃ cāruhāsini nyāyato dharmataścaiva carantī na bibhemi te //

Translation

Śarmiṣṭhā said: “What the sage has stated is indeed true, O you of charming smile. Since I act in accordance with justice and with dharma, I do not fear you.”

Word by Word

• शर्मिष्ठा (śarmiṣṭhā): Śarmiṣṭhā

• उवाच (uvāca): said

• यद् (yad): whatever/that which

• उक्तम् (uktam): has been said

• ऋषिः (ṛṣiḥ): the sage

• इति एव (iti eva): indeed thus/just so

• तत् (tat): that

• सत्यम् (satyam): true

• चारुहासिनि (cāru-hāsini): O charming-smiled one

• न्यायतः (nyāyataḥ): according to justice/propriety

• धर्मतः (dharmataḥ): according to dharma

• च एव (ca eva): and indeed

• चरन्ती (carantī): acting/behaving (as I do)

• न (na): not

• बिभेमि (bibhemi): I fear

• ते (te): you (of you/before you).

Speaker

• Śarmiṣṭhā

Entities Mentioned

• Śarmiṣṭhā
• Ṛṣi (the sage)
• Cāru-hāsinī (the addressed woman, likely Devayānī in context)

Tags

• Yayati episode
• Dharma
• Nyaya
• Ethics
• Dialogue

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya or cosmology; it focuses on personal ethics—fearlessness grounded in acting according to nyāya (justice) and dharma.

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

It highlights a core dharma principle relevant to rulers and householders alike: when one’s conduct aligns with justice and dharma, one can stand firm without fear—an ethical basis for governance, social order, and personal accountability.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu, temple-building, iconography, or ritual procedure is mentioned; the verse is an ethical assertion within a narrative dialogue.