Matsya Purana — Chapter 30
MtP 30.1
अथ दीर्घेण कालेन देवयानी नृपोत्तम वनं तदैव निर्याता क्रीडार्थं वरवर्णिनी
atha dīrgheṇa kālena devayānī nṛpottama vanaṃ tadaiva niryātā krīḍārthaṃ varavarṇinī
Then after a long time, O best of kings, Devayānī, of lovely complexion, went out to that very same forest for the sake of play.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.2
तेन दासीसहस्रेण सार्धं शर्मिष्ठया तदा तमेव देशं सम्प्राप्ता यथाकामं चचार सा
tena dāsīsahasreṇa sārdhaṃ śarmiṣṭhayā tadā tameva deśaṃ samprāptā yathākāmaṃ cacāra sā
Together with that thousand of maidservants and with Śarmiṣṭhā, she then reached that very place and roamed about as she pleased.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.3
ताभिः सखीभिः सहिता सर्वाभिर्मुदिता भृशम् क्रीडन्त्यो ऽभिरताः सर्वाः पिबन्त्यो मधु माधवम्
tābhiḥ sakhībhiḥ sahitā sarvābhirmuditā bhṛśam krīḍantyo 'bhiratāḥ sarvāḥ pibantyo madhu mādhavam
Accompanied by all those companions, exceedingly delighted, all of them playing and taking pleasure, drinking the sweet spring wine —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.4
खादन्त्यो विविधान्भक्ष्यान् फलानि विविधानि च पुनश्च नाहुषो राजा मृगलिप्सुर्यदृच्छया
khādantyo vividhānbhakṣyān phalāni vividhāni ca punaśca nāhuṣo rājā mṛgalipsuryadṛcchayā
— eating various foods and various fruits; and again King Nāhuṣa (Yayāti), seeking game, by chance —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.5
तमेव देशं सम्प्राप्तो जललिप्सुः प्रतर्षितः ददर्श देवयानीं च शर्मिष्ठां ताश्च योषितः
tameva deśaṃ samprāpto jalalipsuḥ pratarṣitaḥ dadarśa devayānīṃ ca śarmiṣṭhāṃ tāśca yoṣitaḥ
— arriving at that very place, thirsty and wanting water, saw Devayānī and Śarmiṣṭhā and those women,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.6
पिबन्त्यो ललनास्ताश्च दिव्याभरणभूषिताः उपविष्टां च ददृशे देवयानीं शुचिस्मिताम्
pibantyo lalanāstāśca divyābharaṇabhūṣitāḥ upaviṣṭāṃ ca dadṛśe devayānīṃ śucismitām
and those charming women drinking, adorned with divine ornaments; and he saw Devayānī of pure smile seated (there),
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.7
रूपेणाप्रतिमां तासां स्त्रीणां मध्ये वराङ्गनाम् शर्मिष्ठया सेव्यमानां पादसंवाहनादिभिः
rūpeṇāpratimāṃ tāsāṃ strīṇāṃ madhye varāṅganām śarmiṣṭhayā sevyamānāṃ pādasaṃvāhanādibhiḥ
unequalled in beauty, a fair-limbed woman in the midst of those women, being attended by Śarmiṣṭhā with the rubbing of her feet and the like.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.8
द्वाभ्यां कन्यासहस्राभ्यां द्वे कन्ये परिवारिते गोत्रे च नामनी चैव द्वयोः पृच्छाम्यतो ह्य् अहम्
dvābhyāṃ kanyāsahasrābhyāṃ dve kanye parivārite gotre ca nāmanī caiva dvayoḥ pṛcchāmyato hy aham
"Two maidens surrounded by two thousand girls — the lineages and the names of the two, these I ask about."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.9
आख्यास्याम्यहम् आदत्स्व वचनं मे नराधिप शुको नामासुरगुरुः सुतां जानीहि तस्य माम्
ākhyāsyāmyaham ādatsva vacanaṃ me narādhipa śuko nāmāsuraguruḥ sutāṃ jānīhi tasya mām
"I will tell you; take in my words, O ruler of men. The preceptor of the asuras is named Śuka (Śukra); know me as his daughter.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.10
इयं च मे सखी दासी यत्राहं तत्र गामिनी दुहिता दानवेन्द्रस्य शर्मिष्ठा वृषपर्वणः
iyaṃ ca me sakhī dāsī yatrāhaṃ tatra gāminī duhitā dānavendrasya śarmiṣṭhā vṛṣaparvaṇaḥ
And this is my companion and maidservant, who goes wherever I go: Śarmiṣṭhā, daughter of Vṛṣaparvan, lord of the Dānavas."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.11
कथं तु ते सखी दासी कन्येयं वरवर्णिनी असुरेन्द्रसुता सुभूः परं कौतूहलं हि मे
kathaṃ tu te sakhī dāsī kanyeyaṃ varavarṇinī asurendrasutā subhūḥ paraṃ kautūhalaṃ hi me
"But how is this maiden of lovely complexion, fair-formed, the daughter of the lord of the asuras, your companion and servant? Great indeed is my curiosity."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.12
सर्वमेव नरव्याघ्र विधानमनुवर्तते विधिना विहितं ज्ञात्वा मा विचित्रं मनः कृथाः
sarvameva naravyāghra vidhānamanuvartate vidhinā vihitaṃ jñātvā mā vicitraṃ manaḥ kṛthāḥ
"Everything whatsoever, O tiger among men, follows ordinance; knowing (this) to have been ordained by ordinance, do not make your mind wonder at it.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.13
राजवद्रूपवेषौ ते ब्राह्मीं वाचं बिभर्षि च किंनामा त्वं कुतश्चासि कस्य पुत्रश्च शंस मे
rājavadrūpaveṣau te brāhmīṃ vācaṃ bibharṣi ca kiṃnāmā tvaṃ kutaścāsi kasya putraśca śaṃsa me
Your form and dress are like a king's, and you bear brahminical speech. What is your name, and where are you from, and whose son? Tell me."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.14
ब्रह्मचर्येण वेदो मे कृत्स्नः श्रुतिपथं गतः राजाहं राजपुत्रश्च ययातिरिति विश्रुतः
brahmacaryeṇa vedo me kṛtsnaḥ śrutipathaṃ gataḥ rājāhaṃ rājaputraśca yayātiriti viśrutaḥ
"By the practice of celibate study the whole Veda has passed into my hearing; I am a king and a king's son, known as Yayāti."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.15
केन चार्थेन नृपते ह्य् एनं देशं समागतः जिघृक्षुर्वारि यत्किंचिद् अथवा मृगलिप्सया
kena cārthena nṛpate hy enaṃ deśaṃ samāgataḥ jighṛkṣurvāri yatkiṃcid athavā mṛgalipsayā
"And for what purpose, O king, have you come to this region? Wishing to take some water, or with the desire for game?"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.16
मृगलिप्सुरहं भद्रे पानीयार्थम् इहागतः बहुधाप्यनुयुक्तो ऽस्मि त्वम् अनुज्ञातुमर्हसि
mṛgalipsurahaṃ bhadre pānīyārtham ihāgataḥ bahudhāpyanuyukto 'smi tvam anujñātumarhasi
"Seeking game, good lady, I came here for water; and I have been questioned in many ways — you ought to give me leave."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.17
द्वाभ्यां कन्यासहस्राभ्यां दास्या शर्मिष्ठया सह त्वदधीनास्मि भद्रं ते सखे भर्ता च मे भव
dvābhyāṃ kanyāsahasrābhyāṃ dāsyā śarmiṣṭhayā saha tvadadhīnāsmi bhadraṃ te sakhe bhartā ca me bhava
"With the two thousand maidens and with the servant Śarmiṣṭhā, I am subject to you; blessings on you, friend — become my husband."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.18
विद्ध्यौशनसि भद्रं ते न त्वदर्हो ऽस्मि भामिनि अविवाह्याः स्म राजानो देवयानि पितुस्तव
viddhyauśanasi bhadraṃ te na tvadarho 'smi bhāmini avivāhyāḥ sma rājāno devayāni pitustava
"Know, daughter of Uśanas — blessings on you — that I am not worthy of you, O passionate lady; we kings are not marriageable for your father, Devayānī."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.19
संसृष्टं ब्रह्मणा क्षत्रं क्षत्रं ब्रह्मणि संश्रितम् ऋषिश्च ऋषिपुत्रश्च नाहुषाद्य भजस्व माम्
saṃsṛṣṭaṃ brahmaṇā kṣatraṃ kṣatraṃ brahmaṇi saṃśritam ṛṣiśca ṛṣiputraśca nāhuṣādya bhajasva mām
"The kṣatra has been joined with the brahman, and the kṣatra rests upon the brahman; you are a seer and a seer's son — so, son of Nahuṣa, take me now."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.20
एकदेहोद्भवा वर्णाश् चत्वारो ऽपि वरानने पृथग्धर्माः पृथक्छौचास् तेषां वै ब्राह्मणो वरः
ekadehodbhavā varṇāś catvāro 'pi varānane pṛthagdharmāḥ pṛthakchaucās teṣāṃ vai brāhmaṇo varaḥ
"The four classes, O fair-faced one, arise from one body, (yet they have) separate duties and separate purities; among them the brahmin is the highest."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.21
पाणिग्रहो नाहुषायं न पुंभिः सेवितः पुरा त्वं पाणिमग्रहीदग्रे वृणोमि त्वामहं ततः
pāṇigraho nāhuṣāyaṃ na puṃbhiḥ sevitaḥ purā tvaṃ pāṇimagrahīdagre vṛṇomi tvāmahaṃ tataḥ
"O son of Nahuṣa, this hand of mine has not been taken, nor touched by (other) men before; you took my hand first, and therefore I choose you."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
MtP 30.22
कथं तु मे मनस्विन्याः पाणिमन्यः पुमान्स्पृशेत् गृहीतमृषिपुत्रेण स्वयं वाप्यृषिणा त्वया
kathaṃ tu me manasvinyāḥ pāṇimanyaḥ pumānspṛśet gṛhītamṛṣiputreṇa svayaṃ vāpyṛṣiṇā tvayā
"How should another man touch the hand of me, a proud woman, when it has been taken by a sage's son — indeed by you, a sage yourself?"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.23
क्रुद्धादाशीविषात् सर्पाज् ज्वलनात्सर्वतोमुखात् दुराधर्षतरो विप्रः पुरुषेण विजानता
kruddhādāśīviṣāt sarpāj jvalanātsarvatomukhāt durādharṣataro vipraḥ puruṣeṇa vijānatā
"Than an angry venomous serpent, than fire blazing on every side, a brahmin is harder to assail — so (holds) a man who knows."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.24
कथमाशीविषात् सर्पाज् ज्वलनात् सर्वतोमुखात् दुराधर्षतरो विप्र इत्यात्थ पुरुषर्षभ
kathamāśīviṣāt sarpāj jvalanāt sarvatomukhāt durādharṣataro vipra ityāttha puruṣarṣabha
"How is a brahmin harder to assail than a venomous serpent, than fire blazing on every side, as you say, O bull among men?"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.25
दशेदाशीविषस्त्वेकं शस्त्रेणैकश्च वध्यते हन्ति विप्रः सराष्ट्राणि पुराण्यपि हि कोपितः
daśedāśīviṣastvekaṃ śastreṇaikaśca vadhyate hanti vipraḥ sarāṣṭrāṇi purāṇyapi hi kopitaḥ
"A venomous snake bites but one, and by a weapon one alone is slain; but a brahmin, when angered, destroys cities together with their kingdoms."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.26
दुराधर्षतरो विप्रस् तस्माद्भीरु मतो मम अतो ऽदत्तां च पित्रा त्वां भद्रे न विवहाम्यहम्
durādharṣataro vipras tasmādbhīru mato mama ato 'dattāṃ ca pitrā tvāṃ bhadre na vivahāmyaham
"Therefore, timid one, I consider a brahmin harder to assail; and so, good lady, I will not marry you, since you have not been given (to me) by your father."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.27
दत्तां वहस्व पित्रा मां त्वं हि राजन्वृतो मया अयाचतो भयं नास्ति दत्तां च प्रतिगृह्णतः
dattāṃ vahasva pitrā māṃ tvaṃ hi rājanvṛto mayā ayācato bhayaṃ nāsti dattāṃ ca pratigṛhṇataḥ
"Then take me when I have been given by my father; for you, O king, have been chosen by me. There is no danger for one who does not beg, and who accepts what is given."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.28
त्वरितं देवयान्याथ प्रेषिता पितुरात्मनः सर्वं निवेदयामास धात्री तस्मै यथातथम्
tvaritaṃ devayānyātha preṣitā piturātmanaḥ sarvaṃ nivedayāmāsa dhātrī tasmai yathātatham
Then the nurse, quickly sent by Devayānī to her own father, reported everything to him just as it was.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.29
श्रुत्वैव च स राजानं दर्शयामास भार्गवः दृष्ट्वैवम् आगतं विप्रं ययातिः पृथिवीपतिः
śrutvaiva ca sa rājānaṃ darśayāmāsa bhārgavaḥ dṛṣṭvaivam āgataṃ vipraṃ yayātiḥ pṛthivīpatiḥ
And as soon as he heard it, Bhārgava (Śukra) showed himself to the king; and when he saw the brahmin come thus, Yayāti, lord of the earth,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.30
ववन्दे ब्राह्मणं काव्यं प्राञ्जलिः प्रणतः स्थितः तं चाप्यभ्यवदत्काव्यः साम्ना परमवल्गुना
vavande brāhmaṇaṃ kāvyaṃ prāñjaliḥ praṇataḥ sthitaḥ taṃ cāpyabhyavadatkāvyaḥ sāmnā paramavalgunā
saluted the brahmin Kāvya (Śukra), standing bowed with joined palms; and Kāvya too addressed him with most gracious, conciliatory words.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.31
राजायं नाहुषस्तात दुर्गमे पाणिमग्रहीत् नमस्ते देहि मामस्मै लोके नान्यं पतिं वृणे
rājāyaṃ nāhuṣastāta durgame pāṇimagrahīt namaste dehi māmasmai loke nānyaṃ patiṃ vṛṇe
"Father, this king, the son of Nahuṣa, took my hand in a hard place. Homage to you — give me to him; in this world I choose no other husband."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.32
वृतो ऽनया पतिर्वीर सुतया त्वं ममेष्टया गृहाणेमां मया दत्तां महिषीं नहुषात्मज
vṛto 'nayā patirvīra sutayā tvaṃ mameṣṭayā gṛhāṇemāṃ mayā dattāṃ mahiṣīṃ nahuṣātmaja
"O hero, you have been chosen as husband by this daughter of mine, who is dear to me; take her, given by me, as your queen, O son of Nahuṣa."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.33
अधर्मो मां स्पृशेदेवं पापम् अस्याश्च भार्गव वर्णसंकरतो ब्रह्मन्न् इति त्वां प्रवृणोम्यहम्
adharmo māṃ spṛśedevaṃ pāpam asyāśca bhārgava varṇasaṃkarato brahmann iti tvāṃ pravṛṇomyaham
"Unrighteousness would touch me in this way, O Bhārgava, and sin (would touch) her too, through the mixture of castes, O brahmin — for that reason I (must) ask you (about it)."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
MtP 30.34
अधर्मात्त्वां विमुञ्चामि वरं वरय चेप्सितम् अस्मिन्विवाहे त्वं श्लाघ्यो रहः पापं नुदामि ते
adharmāttvāṃ vimuñcāmi varaṃ varaya cepsitam asminvivāhe tvaṃ ślāghyo rahaḥ pāpaṃ nudāmi te
"I release you from unrighteousness; and choose the boon you desire. In this marriage you are to be praised; in secret I dispel your sin."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.35
वहस्व भार्यां धर्मेण देवयानीं शुचिस्मिताम् अनया सह सम्प्रीतिम् अतुलां समवाप्नुहि
vahasva bhāryāṃ dharmeṇa devayānīṃ śucismitām anayā saha samprītim atulāṃ samavāpnuhi
"Take as your wife, according to dharma, Devayānī of the bright smile, and obtain with her unequalled delight."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.36
इयं चापि कुमारी ते शर्मिष्ठा वार्षपर्वणी संपूज्या सततं राजन् न चैनां शयने ह्वय
iyaṃ cāpi kumārī te śarmiṣṭhā vārṣaparvaṇī saṃpūjyā satataṃ rājan na caināṃ śayane hvaya
"And this maiden of yours, Śarmiṣṭhā, the daughter of Vṛṣaparvan, is always to be honoured, O king, but do not summon her to your bed."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MtP 30.37
एवमुक्तो ययातिस्तु शुक्रं कृत्वा प्रदक्षिणम् जगाम स्वपुरं हृष्टः सो ऽनुज्ञातो महात्मना
evamukto yayātistu śukraṃ kṛtvā pradakṣiṇam jagāma svapuraṃ hṛṣṭaḥ so 'nujñāto mahātmanā
Addressed thus, Yayāti circumambulated Śukra to the right and, permitted by the great-souled one, went joyfully to his own city.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition