Shloka 9

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

Devanagari script

प्रसेनं तु हतं ज्ञात्वा गोविन्दः परिशङ्कितः गोविन्देन हतो व्यक्तं प्रसेनो मणिकारणात् //

Transliteration

prasenaṃ tu hataṃ jñātvā govindaḥ pariśaṅkitaḥ govindena hato vyaktaṃ praseno maṇikāraṇāt //

Translation

When it was learned that Prasena had been slain, Govinda became an object of suspicion; people were certain that Govinda had killed Prasena, and that the motive was the jewel.

Word by Word

• प्रसेनम् (prasenam): Prasena

• तु (tu): indeed/then

• हतम् (hatam): slain

• ज्ञात्वा (jñātvā): having learned/knowing

• गोविन्दः (govindaḥ): Govinda (Krishna)

• परिशङ्कितः (pariśaṅkitaḥ): suspected/under suspicion

• गोविन्देन (govindena): by Govinda

• हतः (hataḥ): killed

• व्यक्तम् (vyaktam): clearly/certainly

• प्रसेनः (prasenaḥ): Prasena

• मणि-कारणात् (maṇi-kāraṇāt): because of the jewel / for the sake of the gem.

Speaker

• Suta/Narrator (Puranic narrative voice recounting the episode)

Entities Mentioned

• Govinda (Krishna)
• Prasena
• Mani (Syamantaka jewel)

Tags

• Krishna
• Syamantaka
• Suspicion
• Royal intrigue
• Puranic narrative

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to a royal-legend narrative where social suspicion arises after a death connected to a powerful jewel.

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

It highlights a dharmic concern central to governance and household ethics: public perception, false accusation, and the need for clear investigation when wealth (a jewel) becomes the suspected motive for violence.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu, temple-architecture, or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its focus is narrative—suspicion and motive centered on the possession of a jewel.