Shloka 7

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

Devanagari script

ततः प्रविश्य स बिलं प्रसेनो ह्य् ऋक्षमैक्षत ऋक्षः प्रसेनं च तथा ऋक्षं चैव प्रसेनजित् //

Transliteration

tataḥ praviśya sa bilaṃ praseno hy ṛkṣamaikṣata ṛkṣaḥ prasenaṃ ca tathā ṛkṣaṃ caiva prasenajit //

Translation

Then, entering that cave, Prasena indeed saw a bear; and the bear saw Prasena. Likewise, Prasenajit also saw both Prasena and the bear.

Word by Word

tataḥthen/thereupon

praviśyahaving entered

saḥhe

bilaṃcave/cavern

prasenaḥPrasena (proper name)

hiindeed

ṛkṣama bear

aikṣatasaw/beheld

ṛkṣaḥthe bear

prasenaṃPrasena (object)

caand

tathālikewise/so too

ṛkṣam ca evathe bear also indeed

prasenajitPrasenajit (proper name, Prasena’s father/king)

Speaker

Sūta (purāṇic narrator) / Narrative voice of the Matsya Purāṇa

Entities Mentioned

PrasenaPrasenajitṚkṣa (bear, i.e., Jāmbavān in later identification)

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is a narrative scene describing a cave encounter, not cosmology or pralaya doctrine.

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

Indirectly, it frames a royal-family crisis (Prasenajit and Prasena) where vigilance, investigation, and responsibility for one’s dependents are implied—common ethical motifs in Purāṇic kingship narratives.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit vāstu or ritual rule is stated; the only setting detail is the “bila” (cave), serving as a narrative locus rather than architectural instruction.