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 pada suatu ketika, ditemani beberapa menteri dan sahabat, menunggang kuda dari wilayah Sindhu lalu masuk ke rimba untuk berburu. Dengan zirah, busur yang indah dan anak panah yang menakjubkan, dia mengejar serta memburu binatang hingga sampai ke bahagian utara rimba 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.