Shloka 12

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

Devanagari script

तं दृष्ट्वा तु महाशब्दं स चक्रे ऋक्षराड्बली शब्दं श्रुत्वा तु गोविन्दः खड्गपाणिः प्रविश्य सः अपश्यज्जाम्बवन्तं तम् ऋक्षराजं महाबलम् //

Transliteration

taṃ dṛṣṭvā tu mahāśabdaṃ sa cakre ṛkṣarāḍbalī śabdaṃ śrutvā tu govindaḥ khaḍgapāṇiḥ praviśya saḥ apaśyajjāmbavantaṃ tam ṛkṣarājaṃ mahābalam //

Translation

Seeing him, the mighty king of bears (Ṛkṣarāja) let out a tremendous roar. Hearing that sound, Govinda entered with sword in hand, and beheld Jāmbavān—the powerful lord of the bears.

Word by Word

• tam: him

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen

• tu: indeed/then

• mahā-śabdam: a great sound/roar

• saḥ: he

• cakre: made/uttered

• ṛkṣa-rāṭ: king of bears (bear-lord)

• balī: mighty/strong

• śabdam: the sound

• śrutvā: having heard

• tu: then

• govindaḥ: Govinda (a name of Viṣṇu/Kṛṣṇa)

• khaḍga-pāṇiḥ: having a sword in hand

• praviśya: entering

• saḥ: he

• apaśyat: saw/beheld

• jāmbavantam: Jāmbavān

• tam: that

• ṛkṣa-rājam: the bear-king

• mahā-balam: of great strength.

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) reporting the episode in third person (narrative voice)

Entities Mentioned

• Govinda
• Jāmbavān
• Ṛkṣarāja (King of Bears)

Tags

• Puranic narrative
• Vaishnava legends
• Heroic encounter
• Jambavan episode
• Sound/roar motif

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it is a heroic narrative moment emphasizing recognition through sound (a great roar) and the meeting with Jāmbavān, rather than cosmology or dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it highlights readiness and protective vigilance: Govinda responds immediately to a perceived threat (the roar) and enters armed, reflecting the kṣatriya-like ethic of prompt action in safeguarding order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu/temple-architecture or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; it functions primarily as narrative description of an encounter and identification of key figures.