Shloka 5

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

Devanagari script

*देवयान्युवाच पद्येतदेवं शर्मिष्ठे न मन्युर्विद्यते मम अपत्यं यदि ते लब्धं ज्येष्ठाच्छ्रेष्ठाच्च वै द्विजात् //

Transliteration

*devayānyuvāca padyetadevaṃ śarmiṣṭhe na manyurvidyate mama apatyaṃ yadi te labdhaṃ jyeṣṭhācchreṣṭhācca vai dvijāt //

Translation

Devayānī said: “So be it, Śarmiṣṭhā—there is no anger in me. If you have obtained offspring from that twice-born man who is elder and more eminent, then let it be so.”

Word by Word

• devayānī uvāca: Devayānī said

• padyeta: let it be/let it happen

• evaṃ: thus/so

• śarmiṣṭhe: O Śarmiṣṭhā

• na: not

• manyuḥ: anger/wrath

• vidyate: exists/is found

• mama: in me/of me

• apatyaṃ: offspring/child

• yadi: if

• te: by you/for you

• labdham: obtained

• jyeṣṭhāt: from the elder

• śreṣṭhāt: from the श्रेष्ठ (more excellent/noble)

• ca: and

• vai: indeed

• dvijāt: from the twice-born (a brāhmaṇa/qualified man).

Speaker

• Devayānī

Entities Mentioned

• Devayānī
• Śarmiṣṭhā
• Dvija (twice-born)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Dharma
• Householder ethics
• Yayati episode

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is part of a dynastic narrative (Yayati-related interpersonal dialogue), not the Matsya Purana’s pralaya or cosmic dissolution teaching.

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

It reflects household and lineage concerns—offspring, seniority, and social status (dvija). The verse presents a moral tone of restraint (absence of anger) while acknowledging the reality of progeny and lineage, themes central to Purāṇic discussions of family order and succession.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, iconography, or ritual procedure is taught here; the verse is purely narrative and genealogical in focus.