Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 23
The Dynasty of Vaivasvata Manu Begins — Ilā/Sudyumna and the Birth of Purūravā
स एकदा महाराज विचरन् मृगयां वने । वृत: कतिपयामात्यैरश्वमारुह्य सैन्धवम् ॥ २३ ॥ प्रगृह्य रुचिरं चापं शरांश्च परमाद्भुतान् । दंशितोऽनुमृगं वीरो जगाम दिशमुत्तराम् ॥ २४ ॥
sa ekadā mahārāja vicaran mṛgayāṁ vane vṛtaḥ katipayāmātyair aśvam āruhya saindhavam
Wahai Raja Parīkṣit, pahlawan Sudyumna suatu ketika, ditemani beberapa menteri dan sahabat, menunggang kuda dari wilayah Sindhu dan pergi ke hutan untuk berburu. Ia mengenakan zirah, membawa busur indah serta anak panah yang menakjubkan; sambil mengejar dan membunuh hewan buruan, ia mencapai bagian utara hutan itu.
FAQs
This verse depicts a king setting out on a forest hunt with ministers and a swift horse—showing a common royal activity in the narrative context, often used to move the plot toward significant events.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī is narrating to Mahārāja Parīkṣit, continuing the historical account of royal dynasties in the Ninth Canto.
Even powerful leaders are shown acting within roles and duties; the takeaway is to be mindful that everyday choices and outings can have consequences, so one should act with responsibility and good counsel.