Matsya Purana — Devayānī and Śarmiṣṭhā’s Quarrel, Shloka 8

Devanagari script

*देवयान्युवाच कस्माद्गृह्णासि मे वस्त्रं शिष्या भूत्वा ममासुरि समुदाचारहीनाया न ते श्रेयो भविष्यति //

Transliteration

*devayānyuvāca kasmādgṛhṇāsi me vastraṃ śiṣyā bhūtvā mamāsuri samudācārahīnāyā na te śreyo bhaviṣyati //

Translation

ଦେବୟାନୀ କହିଲେ—“ତୁମେ ମୋ ବସ୍ତ୍ର କାହିଁକି ନେଉଛ? ହେ ଅସୁରୀ, ମୋର ଶିଷ୍ୟା ହୋଇ ମଧ୍ୟ ତୁମେ ସଦାଚାରହୀନା; ଏହା ତୁମ ପାଇଁ ଶ୍ରେୟସ୍କର ହେବ ନାହିଁ।”

Word by Word

• devayānī uvāca: Devayānī said

• kasmāt: why/from what reason

• gṛhṇāsi: you take/seize

• me: my

• vastram: garment/clothing

• śiṣyā bhūtvā: having become a disciple/pupil

• mama: of me/my

• āsuri: O Asurī (daughter of the Asura line

• samudācāra-hīnāyāḥ: of one lacking good conduct/proper etiquette

• na: not

• te: for you/your

• śreyaḥ: welfare/benefit/the good

• bhaviṣyati: will be/shall occur.

Speaker

• Devayānī

Entities Mentioned

• Devayānī
• Śarmiṣṭhā (implied by address 'Āsuri')
• Asura lineage (āsurī)

Tags

• Dharma
• Etiquette
• Guru-Śiṣya
• Royal Narrative
• Genealogy

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya or cosmology; it teaches personal dharma—proper conduct and the consequences of unethical behavior within a narrative episode.

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

It underscores dharma as social discipline: respecting boundaries, property, and the guru–śiṣya relationship. Such self-restraint and etiquette are foundational virtues expected of householders and rulers alike in Purāṇic ethics.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned here; the key takeaway is moral instruction on samudācāra (proper conduct), not architectural rules.