Matsya Purana — Devayānī–Śarmiṣṭhā Dialogue: Yayāti’s Transgression, Shloka 18

Devanagari script

दृष्ट्वा तेषां तु बालानां प्रणयं पार्थिवं प्रति बुद्ध्वा च तत्त्वतो देवी शर्मिष्ठामिदमब्रवीत् //

Transliteration

dṛṣṭvā teṣāṃ tu bālānāṃ praṇayaṃ pārthivaṃ prati buddhvā ca tattvato devī śarmiṣṭhāmidamabravīt //

Translation

Thấy tình cảm của những thiếu nữ trẻ ấy đối với nhà vua, và hiểu rõ sự việc đúng như thật, phu nhân cao quý Śarmiṣṭhā liền nói những lời này.

Word by Word

• दृष्ट्वा (dṛṣṭvā): having seen

• तेषाम् (teṣām): of those

• तु (tu): indeed

• बालानाम् (bālānām): of the young girls/maidens

• प्रणयम् (praṇayam): affection, attachment, love

• पार्थिवं (pārthivam): the king, the earthly ruler

• प्रति (prati): toward

• बुद्ध्वा (buddhvā): having understood

• च (ca): and

• तत्त्वतः (tattvataḥ): in truth, correctly, in essence

• देवी (devī): the noble lady/queen

• शर्मिष्ठा (śarmiṣṭhā): Śarmiṣṭhā (proper name)

• इदम् (idam): this

• अब्रवीत् (abravīt): said, spoke

Speaker

• Narrator (Sūta tradition within the Matsya Purana’s storytelling frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Śarmiṣṭhā
• Pārthiva (the King)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Royal court
• Ethics
• Yayati episode

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it belongs to a royal-lineage narrative, focusing on courtly relationships and the recognition of affection toward a king.

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

By highlighting the king as the object of affection and Śarmiṣṭhā’s discerning response, it frames royal conduct within social and moral scrutiny—suggesting that relationships around a ruler is a matter of truth (tattvataḥ) and ethical judgment.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned in this verse; it is purely narrative and interpersonal in focus.