Shloka 28

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

Devanagari script

*देवयान्युवाच अधर्मेण जितो धर्मः प्रवृत्तमधरोत्तरम् शर्मिष्ठा यातिवृत्तास्ति दुहिता वृषपर्वणः //

Transliteration

*devayānyuvāca adharmeṇa jito dharmaḥ pravṛttamadharottaram śarmiṣṭhā yātivṛttāsti duhitā vṛṣaparvaṇaḥ //

Translation

Devayānī said: “By unrighteousness (adharma), righteousness (dharma) has been overcome; the order of higher and lower has been turned upside down. Śarmiṣṭhā—daughter of Vṛṣaparvan—has overstepped the bounds with Yayāti, acting improperly toward him.”

Word by Word

• devayānī uvāca: Devayānī said

• adharmeṇa: by adharma, by unrighteous means

• jitaḥ: conquered, overcome

• dharmaḥ: dharma, righteousness

• pravṛttam: has come to pass, has occurred

• adhara-uttaram: upside down, with the lower made upper (reversal of proper order)

• śarmiṣṭhā: Śarmiṣṭhā (proper name)

• yāti-vṛttā: having behaved with Yayāti / having taken liberties with Yayāti (improper conduct)

• asti: is, has occurred

• duhitā: daughter

• vṛṣaparvaṇaḥ: of Vṛṣaparvan (Śukra’s asura-associated king in this episode)

Speaker

• Devayānī

Entities Mentioned

• Devayānī
• Dharma
• Adharma
• Śarmiṣṭhā
• Yayāti
• Vṛṣaparvan

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Dharma
• Adharma
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on ethical disorder (adharma overpowering dharma) within the Yayāti narrative, illustrating moral inversion rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It frames improper sexual or marital conduct as a form of adharma that overturns social and moral order—an implicit warning that rulers and householders must uphold restraint, fidelity, and rightful relationships to preserve dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is specified in this verse; its significance is ethical and genealogical, setting up consequences in the Yayāti episode.