Shloka 23

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

Devanagari script

*शौनक उवाच श्रुत्वा तस्यास्ततो वाक्यं देवयान्यब्रवीद् इदम् राजन्नाद्येह वत्स्यामि विप्रियं मे त्वया कृतम् //

Transliteration

*śaunaka uvāca śrutvā tasyāstato vākyaṃ devayānyabravīd idam rājannādyeha vatsyāmi vipriyaṃ me tvayā kṛtam //

Translation

Śaunaka said: Having heard her words, Devayānī then spoke this to the king: “O King, from today I will remain here; you have done what is displeasing to me.”

Word by Word

• शौनकः: Śaunaka

• उवाच: said

• श्रुत्वा: having heard

• तस्याः: of her

• ततः: then

• वाक्यम्: words/speech

• देवयानी: Devayānī

• अब्रवीत्: spoke/said

• इदम्: this

• राजन्: O king

• अद्य: today

• इह: here

• वत्स्यामि: I shall dwell/stay

• विप्रियम्: displeasing/unpleasant

• मे: to me/my

• त्वया: by you

• कृतम्: done

Speaker

• Śaunaka (narrator framing Devayānī’s speech)

Entities Mentioned

• Śaunaka
• Devayānī
• King (rājan)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Royal ethics
• Interpersonal dharma
• Yayati narrative
• Puranic dialogue

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is part of a royal-legend dialogue focused on personal grievance and resolve, not cosmology or Pralaya.

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

It highlights accountability in royal conduct: a king’s action can cause “vipriya” (offense) and trigger social or domestic rupture, implying the need for restraint, fair speech, and repairing harm—core themes in Puranic rājadharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

None is stated; the verse contains no Vāstu, temple, or ritual procedure terms—its focus is narrative and ethical (speech, offense, and decision).