Shloka 7

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

Devanagari script

*शर्मिष्ठोवाच ओजसा तेजसा चैव दीप्यमानं रविं यथा तं दृष्ट्वा मम संप्रष्टुं शक्तिर् नासीच्छुचिस्मिते //

Transliteration

*śarmiṣṭhovāca ojasā tejasā caiva dīpyamānaṃ raviṃ yathā taṃ dṛṣṭvā mama saṃpraṣṭuṃ śaktir nāsīcchucismite //

Translation

Śarmiṣṭhā said: “He blazed with vigor and tejas, like the sun aflame. On seeing him, O you of pure smile, I had no strength to question him.”

Word by Word

• शर्मिष्ठा उवाच (śarmiṣṭhā uvāca): Śarmiṣṭhā said

• ओजसा (ojasā): with vigor, vital force

• तेजसा (tejasā): with radiance, splendor

• चैव (caiva): and indeed

• दीप्यमानम् (dīpyamānam): blazing, shining intensely

• रविम् (ravim): the sun

• यथा (yathā): like/as

• तम् (tam): him

• दृष्ट्वा (dṛṣṭvā): having seen

• मम (mama): my

• संप्रष्टुम् (saṃpraṣṭum): to question, to inquire

• शक्तिः (śaktiḥ): ability, power

• न आसीत् (na āsīt): was not

• शुचिस्मिते (śuci-smite): O one with a pure/bright smile (vocative, addressing the listener).

Speaker

• Sharmishtha

Entities Mentioned

• Sharmishtha
• Ravi (Sun)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Royal narrative
• Yayati episode
• Puranic dialogue

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse belongs to a royal-narrative context, using the sun as a simile for overwhelming brilliance rather than discussing cosmic creation or pralaya.

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

Indirectly, it frames idealized royal presence—vigor (ojas) and splendor (tejas)—as socially compelling qualities; such imagery supports the Purana’s broader portrayal of kingly charisma and authority in dynastic narratives.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu/ritual rule is stated; the only technical imagery is solar radiance (ravi) used poetically to convey tejas (splendor).