Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 24
The Dynasty of Vaivasvata Manu Begins — Ilā/Sudyumna and the Birth of Purūravā
स एकदा महाराज विचरन् मृगयां वने । वृत: कतिपयामात्यैरश्वमारुह्य सैन्धवम् ॥ २३ ॥ प्रगृह्य रुचिरं चापं शरांश्च परमाद्भुतान् । दंशितोऽनुमृगं वीरो जगाम दिशमुत्तराम् ॥ २४ ॥
sa ekadā mahārāja vicaran mṛgayāṁ vane vṛtaḥ katipayāmātyair aśvam āruhya saindhavam
O King Parīkṣit, that hero Sudyumna, accompanied by a few ministers and associates and riding on a horse brought from Sindhupradeśa, once went into the forest to hunt. He wore armor and was decorated with bows and arrows, and he was very beautiful. While following the animals and killing them, he reached the northern part of the forest.
FAQs
This verse depicts a king going to the forest for hunting with ministers, showing a royal practice of the time; the Bhāgavatam often uses such scenes to set up later moral and spiritual consequences that arise from intense pursuit and worldly eagerness.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī is narrating these events to Mahārāja Parīkṣit.
It warns how strong eagerness in pursuit (even of a harmless goal) can carry one off course; a devotee applies restraint, mindfulness, and higher purpose so that desire does not dictate direction.