Shloka 4

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

Devanagari script

स्यमन्तकः प्रसेनस्य मणिरत्नमनुत्तमम् पृथिव्यां सर्वरत्नानां राजा वै सो ऽभवन्मणिः //

Transliteration

syamantakaḥ prasenasya maṇiratnamanuttamam pṛthivyāṃ sarvaratnānāṃ rājā vai so 'bhavanmaṇiḥ //

Translation

The Syamantaka—Prasena’s unsurpassed jewel—became, upon the earth, the sovereign among all gems.

Word by Word

• s्यमन्तकः (syamantakaḥ): the Syamantaka jewel

• प्रसेनस्य (prasenasya): of Prasena

• मणिरत्नम् (maṇiratnam): a jewel-gem

• अनुत्तमम् (anuttamam): unsurpassed, incomparable

• पृथिव्याम् (pṛthivyām): on the earth

• सर्वरत्नानाम् (sarvaratnānām): of all precious gems

• राजा (rājā): king, sovereign

• वै (vai): indeed

• सः (saḥ): that

• अभवत् (abhavat): became

• मणिः (maṇiḥ): gem, jewel.

Speaker

• Suta (Purana narrator) describing the Syamantaka jewel in the narrative flow

Entities Mentioned

• Syamantaka
• Prasena

Tags

• Dynasties
• Royalty
• Sacred Jewel
• Puranic Narrative
• Wealth-Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on the worldly renown and supremacy of the Syamantaka jewel within a royal narrative.

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

By calling the jewel the “king among gems,” the verse frames wealth as a power-symbol that attracts attention and contention—implying the king/householder must govern possessions with restraint, justice, and dharmic responsibility.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or ritual procedure is stated directly; the verse is descriptive, establishing the jewel’s exceptional status, which in broader Purana usage can motivate gifts, temple endowments, or royal patronage—but those are not specified here.