| THE JEWEL SYAMANTAKA |
| There was an honoured citizen in Dwaraka whose name was Satrajit. He was a great devotee of the Sun god who was very pleased and presented him with a germ of matchless brilliancy. It was called Syamantaka. This brilliancy became part of whoever wore it, and in produced several hundred kilograms of gold every day!
One day, Satrajit’s brother, Prasenajit, wore the jewel and went out hunting. In the forest, he was attacked by a lion in its turn was attacked by the bear – chief, Jambavan who killed him and brought the gem home as a plaything for his little son. Satrijit missed his brother and spread a rumour that Krishna had killed him in order to secure the gem for himself. When Krishna heard this accusation, he gathered his mena and horses, and in order to prove himself innocent, he set out with them in search of Prasenajit. In the forest they found his remains and also the dead horse and the dead lion. Then, following Jambavan’s footprints, they reached his cave in the mountainside. Krishna entered it and grappled with the fierce bear for twenty – eight days. At last Jambavan realized who it was he fighting with. He prostrated before him and begged his forgiveness for not having recognized him earlier. Krishna explained to him that he wanted the jewel only to prove his innocence. Jambavan gladly gave it to him.
Krishna now returned to Dwaraka and gave the Syamantaka gem back to Satrajit. Satrajit felt truly sorry for having spread such false rumours about Krishna. He fell at his feet and asked to be forgiven. And to show his repentance, he presented Krishna with the gem and his beautiful and talented daughter, Satyabama. Satyabama become Krisna’wife, but the jewel was returned. “Keep it, “said Krishna. “It was a gift to you. But you may give the gold that it produces to the treasury.”
At this time, news came to Dwaraka that the Pandavas had all been killed in a fire, as a result of trap set for them by their wicked cousins, the Kauravas. Krishna and Balarama hurried to Hastinapura to find out the truth.
When to the brothers were away, Satrajit was murdered and the gem was taken away from him. Satyabhama rushed to Hastinapura to tell Krishna about it. Krishna and Balarama came back after confirming that the Pandavas were still safe and sound, and that the Kaurava’s plot had failed. They traced the culprit who had committed the ghastly crime and chased him up to Mithila or Videhapuri. There they killed him but they did not find the Syamantaka on his person. Back in Dwaraka, Krishna found the gem in Aroora’s possession. He showed it to Satyabhama which clamed her troubled heart and then return it to Akroora for safe – keeping.
Moral: Never spread false rumours. |
|
|
|
