Matsya Purana — Devayānī Meets Yayāti: Courtship, Shloka 30

Devanagari script

ववन्दे ब्राह्मणं काव्यं प्राञ्जलिः प्रणतः स्थितः तं चाप्यभ्यवदत्काव्यः साम्ना परमवल्गुना //

Transliteration

vavande brāhmaṇaṃ kāvyaṃ prāñjaliḥ praṇataḥ sthitaḥ taṃ cāpyabhyavadatkāvyaḥ sāmnā paramavalgunā //

Translation

കാവ്യൻ കൈകൂപ്പി നമസ്കരിച്ചു ആ ബ്രാഹ്മണനെ വന്ദിച്ചു; തുടർന്ന് അത്യന്തം മധുരവും ശ്രുതിമധുരവുമായ സാമഗാനത്തോടെ അദ്ദേഹത്തെ അഭിസംബോധന ചെയ്തു।

Word by Word

• ववन्दे (vavande): saluted, bowed to

• ब्राह्मणम् (brāhmaṇam): the Brāhmaṇa, a priestly sage

• काव्यः (kāvyaḥ): Kāvya (Śukra/son of Bhṛgu, context-dependent)

• प्राञ्जलिः (prāñjaliḥ): with joined palms

• प्रणतः (praṇataḥ): bowed down, reverent

• स्थितः (sthitaḥ): standing/remaining

• तम् (tam): him

• च अपि (ca api): and also

• अभ्यवदत् (abhyavadat): spoke to, addressed

• साम्ना (sāmnā): with a sāman/chant, in a melodious hymn-like tone

• परम-वल्गुना (parama-valgunā): exceedingly sweet, very pleasing (in sound).

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narration; likely Sūta reporting the episode)

Entities Mentioned

• Kāvya (Śukra)
• Brāhmaṇa

Tags

• Dialogue
• Reverence
• Brāhmaṇa
• Vedic Chant
• Etiquette

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it highlights dharmic conduct—how one should respectfully approach and address a Brāhmaṇa.

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

It models ideal social-religious etiquette: approaching learned Brāhmaṇas with humility (folded hands, bowing) and speaking gently—conduct expected of kings and householders in Purāṇic dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-building rule is stated; the ritual nuance is the use of sāman-like melodious speech/chant as a respectful mode of address.