Shloka 8

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

Devanagari script

हत्वा ऋक्षः प्रसेनं तु ततस्तं मणिमाददात् अदृष्टस्तु हतस्तेन अन्तर्बिलगतस्तदा //

Transliteration

hatvā ṛkṣaḥ prasenaṃ tu tatastaṃ maṇimādadāt adṛṣṭastu hatastena antarbilagatastadā //

Translation

Having slain Prasena, the bear then took that jewel. And Prasena, unseen by anyone, was killed by it and at that time lay hidden within a cave.

Word by Word

• hatvā: having killed

• ṛkṣaḥ: the bear

• prasenaṃ: Prasena (name of a person)

• tu: indeed/and

• tataḥ: then/thereafter

• taṃ: that

• maṇim: jewel (gem)

• ādadāt: took/appropriated

• adṛṣṭaḥ: unseen/not noticed

• tu: and

• hataḥ: killed/slain

• tena: by it/by him (i.e., by that bear)

• antar-bila-gataḥ: gone into the interior of a cave/hidden inside a cave

• tadā: then/at that time

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) in the Matsya Purana’s royal-episode narration

Entities Mentioned

• Prasena
• Ṛkṣa (bear)
• Maṇi (the jewel)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Royal narrative
• Syamantaka jewel
• Conflict
• Karma and consequence

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is part of a royal narrative about a stolen jewel and a hidden death, not a Pralaya (cosmic dissolution) teaching.

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

It implies the need for careful investigation and justice in cases of disappearance, theft, or suspected wrongdoing—royal duty (rājadharma) includes uncovering hidden causes and restoring order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu Shastra or ritual procedure is stated; the only concrete detail is the setting of a cave (bila), used here as a narrative element of concealment.