Shloka 18

Matsya Purana — Inquiry into Yayāti’s Story and the Kacha–Devayānī Episode

Devanagari script

देवयानी च दयिता सुता तस्य महात्मनः ताम् आराधयितुं शक्तो नान्यः कश्चन विद्यते //

Transliteration

devayānī ca dayitā sutā tasya mahātmanaḥ tām ārādhayituṃ śakto nānyaḥ kaścana vidyate //

Translation

Devayānī, the beloved daughter of that great-souled one, was such that no one else could win her favor and serve her with due devotion.

Word by Word

• devayānī: Devayānī (proper name)

• ca: and

• dayitā: beloved, dear

• sutā: daughter

• tasya: of him/that

• mahātmanaḥ: of the great-souled (noble) one

• tām: her

• ārādhayitum: to propitiate, to please, to win favor through service/devotion

• śaktaḥ: able, capable

• na: not

• anyaḥ: other

• kaścana: anyone at all

• vidyate: is found/exists

Speaker

• Sūta / Purāṇic narrator (genealogical narration within Matsya Purana’s discourse to Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Devayānī

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogies
• Puranic narrative
• Royal lineages
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it belongs to a dynastic/character episode, emphasizing personal stature and the exceptional nature of Devayānī rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It underscores the ethic of ārādhana—winning trust and harmony through respectful service and right conduct—an idea that the Matsya Purana often extends to household and royal relationships (honoring worthy persons, maintaining dharmic bonds).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-architecture rule appears in this verse; the only technical term is ārādhayitum, used here in a relational sense (to please/propitiate through devoted attention), not as a ritual procedure.