Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — Devayānī and Śarmiṣṭhā’s Quarrel

Devanagari script

*शौनक उवाच सा विस्मयं देवयानीं गतां सक्तां च वाससि शर्मिष्ठा प्राक्षिपत्कूपे ततः स्वपुरमाविशत् //

Transliteration

*śaunaka uvāca sā vismayaṃ devayānīṃ gatāṃ saktāṃ ca vāsasi śarmiṣṭhā prākṣipatkūpe tataḥ svapuramāviśat //

Translation

சௌனகர் கூறினார்—அப்போது தேவயானியை வியப்பால் திகைத்து, ஆடை சிக்கிய நிலையில் கண்ட சர்மிஷ்டை அவளை கிணற்றில் தள்ளினாள்; பின்னர் தன் நகருக்குள் சென்றாள்.

Word by Word

• śaunaka uvāca: Śaunaka said

• sā: she (Śarmiṣṭhā)

• vismayam: astonishment, stupefaction

• devayānīm: Devayānī (proper name)

• gatām: having come/being in that state

• saktām: stuck, entangled

• ca: and

• vāsasi: in the garment/clothing

• śarmiṣṭhā: Śarmiṣṭhā (proper name)

• prākṣipat: threw, cast

• kūpe: into a well

• tataḥ: then, thereafter

• svapuram: her own town/city

• āviśat: entered

Speaker

• Śaunaka

Entities Mentioned

• Śaunaka
• Devayānī
• Śarmiṣṭhā

Tags

• Yayati
• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Puranic Narrative
• Dharma

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is part of a dynasty-linked narrative (Devayānī–Śarmiṣṭhā) and does not describe cosmic creation or Pralaya.

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

It functions as moral narrative background: jealousy and humiliation lead to wrongdoing, setting up later consequences in the Yayāti lineage—an implicit warning for rulers and householders to restrain anger and act with dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu/ritual instruction appears here; the only physical detail is a well (kūpa) used in the storyline, not as a technical architectural rule.