Shloka 3

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

Devanagari script

*शर्मिष्ठोवाच ऋषिर् अभ्यागतः कश्चिद् धर्मात्मा वेदपारगः स मया तु वरः कामं याचितो धर्मसंहतम् //

Transliteration

*śarmiṣṭhovāca ṛṣir abhyāgataḥ kaścid dharmātmā vedapāragaḥ sa mayā tu varaḥ kāmaṃ yācito dharmasaṃhatam //

Translation

Śarmiṣṭhā said: “A certain sage came to us—righteous in nature and perfected in Vedic learning. From him I sought, as I wished, a boon that was in harmony with dharma.”

Word by Word

• śarmiṣṭhā uvāca: Śarmiṣṭhā said

• ṛṣiḥ: a sage

• abhyāgataḥ: arrived/come

• kaścit: a certain (one)

• dharmātmā: righteous-souled, devoted to dharma

• veda-pāragaḥ: one who has gone to the far shore of the Veda, a consummate Vedic scholar

• saḥ: he

• mayā: by me

• tu: indeed/then

• varaḥ: a boon

• kāmam: as desired, according to wish

• yācitaḥ: requested/begged

• dharma-saṃhatam: consistent with dharma, dharma-concordant

Speaker

• Śarmiṣṭhā

Entities Mentioned

• Śarmiṣṭhā
• Ṛṣi (a sage)
• Veda
• Dharma

Tags

• Dynasties
• Dharma
• Boons
• Rishis
• Narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it highlights a dharma-oriented narrative moment where a boon is requested from a Veda-knowing sage.

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

It frames the ideal that even desired requests (kāmam) should be sought only in ways aligned with dharma—an ethical standard applicable to rulers and householders alike.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-ritual rule is stated; the ritual-ethical takeaway is the emphasis on dharma-saṃhata (dharma-concordant) intentions when seeking boons or outcomes.