Shloka 20

Matsya Purana — Śukra Warns Vṛṣaparvan: The Ripening of Adharma and Devayānī’s Demand for Śar...

Devanagari script

त्यजति ब्राह्मणः शिष्यान् देवयान्या प्रचोदितः यं सा कामयते कामं स कार्यो ऽत्र त्वयानघे दासीत्वम् अभिजातासि देवयान्याः सुशोभने //

Transliteration

tyajati brāhmaṇaḥ śiṣyān devayānyā pracoditaḥ yaṃ sā kāmayate kāmaṃ sa kāryo 'tra tvayānaghe dāsītvam abhijātāsi devayānyāḥ suśobhane //

Translation

Urged on by Devayānī, the brāhmaṇa (Kaca) abandons his disciples. O sinless one, you must carry out here whatever desire she longs for. O fair one, you have been born to be Devayānī’s maidservant.

Word by Word

• tyajati: abandons, gives up

• brāhmaṇaḥ: the brāhmaṇa (Kaca)

• śiṣyān: disciples/students

• devayānyā: by Devayānī

• pracoditaḥ: impelled, urged

• yam: whatever (that which)

• sā: she

• kāmayate: desires, longs for

• kāmam: desire, wish

• saḥ: that

• kāryaḥ: to be done, to be carried out

• atra: here, in this matter

• tvayā: by you

• anaghe: O sinless one

• dāsītvam: servitude, maidship

• abhijātāsi: you are born/you have become by birth

• devayānyāḥ: of Devayānī

• suśobhane: O beautiful one

Speaker

• Likely Devayānī (addressing Śarmiṣṭhā) within the Yayāti episode, as narrated in the Matsya Purāṇa

Entities Mentioned

• Devayānī
• Brāhmaṇa (Kaca)
• Śiṣyas (disciples)
• Śarmiṣṭhā (implied addressee)

Tags

• Yayati
• Devayani
• Social Duty
• Servitude
• Genealogy

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya or cosmology; it belongs to a royal-genealogical narrative focused on interpersonal conflict, authority, and social obligation.

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

Indirectly, it highlights how personal desire and social power can impose duties on others—an ethical tension that later frames royal conduct (e.g., how rulers should restrain desire and uphold fairness in relationships and service).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned; the verse is narrative and social-ethical rather than architectural.