Shloka 11

Matsya Purana — The Syamantaka Jewel Episode and the Vrishni–Sainya Genealogies

Devanagari script

अथ दीर्घेण कालेन मृगयां निर्गतः पुनः यदृच्छया च गोविन्दो बिलस्याभ्याशमागमत् //

Transliteration

atha dīrgheṇa kālena mṛgayāṃ nirgataḥ punaḥ yadṛcchayā ca govindo bilasyābhyāśamāgamat //

Translation

Then, after a long time, he again set out for the hunt; and by sheer chance Govinda came near the mouth of a cave.

Word by Word

• अथ: then

• दीर्घेण कालेन: after a long time

• मृगयाम्: for hunting / on a hunt

• निर्गतः: went out / set forth

• पुनः: again

• यदृच्छया: by chance / accidentally

• च: and

• गोविन्दः: Govinda (a name of Vishnu/Krishna)

• बिलस्य: of the cave

• अभ्याशम्: near / in the vicinity

• आगमत्: came / approached

Speaker

• Suta (Pauranic narrator) describing the episode in third person (narrative voice)

Entities Mentioned

• Govinda
• Bila (cave)

Tags

• Narrative
• Hunt (Mṛgayā)
• Divine encounter
• Govinda
• Cave episode

FAQs

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

This verse does not speak directly about Pralaya; it sets a narrative scene where a chance movement (“yadṛcchayā”) leads to a consequential encounter, a common Purāṇic device before major revelations.

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

By mentioning mṛgayā (the hunt), the verse touches a classic dharma theme: royal pursuits can become turning points for ethical instruction—later verses typically clarify whether the hunt is restrained, purposeful, or a cause of distraction.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual rule is stated here; the only spatial marker is “bila” (cave), which functions as a narrative setting rather than a prescription for temple-building or rites.