Shloka 40

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

Devanagari script

देवयान्यथ भूयो ऽपि पितरं वाक्यमब्रवीत् पुष्पाहारप्रेषणकृत् कचस्तात न दृश्यते //

Transliteration

devayānyatha bhūyo 'pi pitaraṃ vākyamabravīt puṣpāhārapreṣaṇakṛt kacastāta na dṛśyate //

Translation

Then Devayānī once again spoke to her father: “Dear father, Kaca—who used to send flowers and offerings of food—cannot be seen anywhere.”

Word by Word

• devayānī: Devayānī

• atha: then

• bhūyaḥ api: again, once more

• pitaraṃ: to (her) father

• vākyam: words, a statement

• abravīt: said, spoke

• puṣpa: flowers

• āhāra: food, offering/meal

• preṣaṇa: sending, dispatching

• kṛt: one who does, maker

• kacaḥ: Kaca (son of Bṛhaspati)

• tāta: dear father

• na: not

• dṛśyate: is seen, appears

Speaker

• Devayānī

Entities Mentioned

• Devayānī
• Kaca

Tags

• Genealogy
• Itihasa-episode
• Dialogue
• Śukra-lineage
• Bṛhaspati-lineage

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is part of an itihāsa-style interpersonal episode (Devayānī searching for Kaca), not the Matsya Purana’s pralaya cosmology.

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

Indirectly, it highlights household ethics: concern for a missing person, truthful reporting to elders, and the social responsibility of guardians to investigate and protect dependents.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-rule detail appears here; the only ritual-adjacent element is the mention of customary gifts/offerings (flowers and food) associated with courtship or respectful service.