Shloka 13
The Syamantaka Jewel: Accusation, Recovery, and Kṛṣṇa’s Marriage to Satyabhāmā
तमेकदा मणिं कण्ठे प्रतिमुच्य महाप्रभम् । प्रसेनो हयमारुह्य मृगायां व्यचरद् वने ॥ १३ ॥
tam ekadā maṇiṁ kaṇṭhe pratimucya mahā-prabham praseno hayam āruhya mṛgāyāṁ vyacarad vane
Pada suatu hari, Prasena, saudara Satrājit, menggantungkan permata yang gemilang itu di lehernya, menaiki kuda, lalu masuk ke hutan untuk berburu.
The inauspicious result of Satrājit’s refusal of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s request is about to manifest.
FAQs
This verse states that Prasena wore the highly powerful Syamantaka jewel around his neck and went into the forest on horseback to hunt, setting up the events that lead to the jewel’s disappearance and the ensuing controversy.
In the narrative context, Prasena, possessing the jewel, goes out hunting; this choice becomes pivotal because what happens in the forest triggers suspicion and conflict around the jewel’s ownership.
Even valuable assets can invite misunderstanding and conflict; the shloka encourages prudence, accountability, and clarity in handling power, wealth, and public perception.