Matsya Purana — Yayāti in Amarāvatī-like Splendor: Devayānī Installed, Shloka 24

Devanagari script

*शौनक उवाच एवमुक्तस्तया राजा तथ्यम् इत्यभिजज्ञिवान् पूजयामास शर्मिष्ठां धर्मं च प्रतिपादयन् //

Transliteration

*śaunaka uvāca evamuktastayā rājā tathyam ityabhijajñivān pūjayāmāsa śarmiṣṭhāṃ dharmaṃ ca pratipādayan //

Translation

ശൗനകൻ പറഞ്ഞു—അവൾ ഇങ്ങനെ പറഞ്ഞപ്പോൾ രാജാവ് ‘ഇത് സത്യമാകുന്നു’ എന്നു തിരിച്ചറിഞ്ഞു; ശർമിഷ്ഠയെ ആദരിച്ചു, ധർമ്മത്തെ ആചരണത്തിൽ സ്ഥാപിച്ചു.

Word by Word

• śaunakaḥ: Śaunaka

• uvāca: said

• evam: thus

• uktaḥ: spoken/addressed

• tayā: by her

• rājā: the king

• tathyam: the truth

• iti: thus

• abhijajñivān: having recognized/understood

• pūjayāmāsa: honored/worshipped

• śarmiṣṭhām: Śarmiṣṭhā (proper noun)

• dharmam: righteousness/duty/law

• ca: and

• pratipādayan: establishing/setting forth/causing to be followed

Speaker

• Śaunaka

Entities Mentioned

• Śaunaka
• Śarmiṣṭhā
• King (rājā)
• Dharma

Tags

• Dynasties
• Yayati
• Dharma
• Rajadharma
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on ethical kingship—recognizing truth and upholding dharma within a royal narrative.

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

It presents a kingly ideal: when confronted with a truthful statement, the ruler should acknowledge it, honor the rightful person, and actively establish dharma (just conduct) in society.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is specified; the key takeaway is normative dharma—proper honor and righteous governance.