Satrājit’s Gift from the Sun-god
In the city of Dvārakā, there lived a powerful Yādava nobleman named Satrājit, a devout worshipper of Sūrya, the Sun-god. By his intense austerities and devotion, Sūrya personally appeared before him and was pleased to grant him a divine jewel—the Syamantaka gem.
This radiant jewel, the size of a berry, had incredible powers:
- It produced eight bhāras of gold (nearly 20 kg) every day.
- It could banish all disease, famine, and misfortune.
- In the hands of a pure person, it brought only prosperity.
- But in the hands of the impure, it brought death and calamity.
When Satrājit returned to Dvārakā wearing the jewel, people mistook him for Sūrya himself, such was the brilliance that surrounded him.
Kṛṣṇa’s Request and Satrājit’s Refusal
Seeing the jewel, Śrī Kṛṣṇa approached Satrājit with humility:
“O noble one, such a powerful and divine gem should be offered to King Ugrasena, for the welfare of the entire Yadu kingdom.”
But Satrājit, overcome with pride and attachment, refused. Instead, he kept the gem for himself and later gave it to his brother Prasena.
Prasena’s Mysterious Death
Prasena, eager to show off the jewel, wore it around his neck and went out for a hunting expedition. But he never returned.
Rumors began to spread in Dvārakā.
Some accused Kṛṣṇa of orchestrating Prasena’s death to steal the Syamantaka jewel for Himself.
To clear His name, Kṛṣṇa resolved to investigate personally.
Kṛṣṇa Tracks the Truth
Following Prasena’s trail through the forest, Kṛṣṇa discovered:
- Prasena had been killed by a lion.
- The lion was then killed by Jāmbavān, the mighty king of the bears, who took the jewel to his cave for his child to play with.
Kṛṣṇa entered the cave alone, saw the child playing with the gem, and soon came face-to-face with Jāmbavān.
The two engaged in a fierce battle that lasted 21 days—a battle of divine endurance and strength.
Finally, Jāmbavān realized that the One he was fighting was none other than Lord Rāma Himself, whom he had served in the Tretā-yuga.
Falling at His feet, he cried:
“O Lord! How could I not recognize You? You are the same Rāghava who built the bridge to Laṅkā. Forgive me!”
Return of the Jewel and a Divine Marriage
Jāmbavān offered not only the Syamantaka jewel, but also his daughter Jāmbavatī in marriage to Kṛṣṇa.
Kṛṣṇa accepted both and returned to Dvārakā.
There, in a public assembly, He cleared His name by recounting all events and returning the jewel to Satrājit.
Overwhelmed by guilt, Satrājit realized his offense. As atonement, he offered:
- The Syamantaka jewel, and
- His daughter Satyabhāmā in marriage to Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Kṛṣṇa accepted Satyabhāmā, but refused to keep the jewel, saying:
“Let it remain with Satrājit, for I am not attached to wealth or jewels.”
Later Consequences and Greed of Others
However, the tale did not end there.
Later, Śatadhanvā, a wicked relative of the Yādus, murdered Satrājit to steal the Syamantaka gem.
Fleeing in fear, he was pursued and killed by Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma. But he had already hidden the jewel.
Eventually, the Syamantaka came into the hands of Akrūra, another noble Yādava. Since he used it only for dharmic purposes, Kṛṣṇa allowed him to keep it, and the curse on the Yadus was averted.
Lessons to Be Learned:
- Wealth and power, when held with ego and possessiveness, become a curse.
- Kṛṣṇa’s character is spotless. Even in the face of false accusations, He acts with humility and courage.
- Truth always prevails when the Lord is involved.
- Jealousy and suspicion can lead even noble men to commit great offenses.
- Forgiveness, humility, and surrender, as shown by Jāmbavān, are rewarded with the Lord’s mercy.
Origin of the Story: Harivaṁśa Purāṇa – Viṣṇu-parva; Viṣṇu Purāṇa – Book 5, Chapters 10–13; Bhāgavata Purāṇa – Canto 10