Shloka 26

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

Devanagari script

*शौनक उवाच प्रतिश्रुते दासभावे दुहित्रा वृषपर्वणः देवयानी नृपश्रेष्ठ पितरं वाक्यमब्रवीत् //

Transliteration

*śaunaka uvāca pratiśrute dāsabhāve duhitrā vṛṣaparvaṇaḥ devayānī nṛpaśreṣṭha pitaraṃ vākyamabravīt //

Translation

Śaunaka said: O best of kings, when Vṛṣaparvan’s daughter had promised to become a servant, Devayānī spoke these words to her father.

Word by Word

• शौनकः: Śaunaka

• उवाच: said

• प्रतिश्रुते: when it was promised/after the promise was made

• दासभावे: in the state of servitude/as a maidservant

• दुहित्रा: by the daughter

• वृषपर्वणः: of Vṛṣaparvan

• देवयानी: Devayānī

• नृपश्रेष्ठ: O best of kings

• पितरम्: to (her) father

• वाक्यम्: words/speech

• अब्रवीत्: spoke/said

Speaker

• Śaunaka

Entities Mentioned

• Śaunaka
• Vṛṣaparvan
• Devayānī

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Royal Narrative
• Dharma
• Puranic Storytelling

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it transitions within a royal-lineage narrative, introducing Devayānī’s speech after a pledge of servitude was made.

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

By addressing the listener as “best of kings,” the text frames the episode as guidance for rulers: promises and social obligations (like pledged service) carry moral weight and lead to consequential decisions within royal households.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, iconography, or ritual procedure is mentioned in this verse; it is a narrative link in the Devayānī–Vṛṣaparvan storyline.