The Story of the Syamantak Jewel

Satrajit, a Yadava of Dwarka, was a devotee of the Sun god. Pleased, the Sun gave him a shining jewel called Syamantak, which produced a great deal of gold every day. When Satrajit came into the city wearing it, people thought the Sun himself had come. Krishna suggested he give the jewel to King Ugrasen for everyone's good. But Satrajit refused.

One day Satrajit's brother Prasen went hunting wearing the jewel. In the forest a lion killed him and took it. Then Jamvant, king of the bears, killed the lion, carried the jewel to his cave and gave it to his child to play with. When Prasen did not return, Satrajit said: Krishna must have killed my brother for the jewel.

To clear this false blame, Krishna Himself went searching in the forest with some people. They found the bodies of Prasen and his horse, then a lion's tracks, then the dead lion. Following the trail, they reached Jamvant's dark cave, and Krishna went in alone.

Jamvant did not recognise Him, and a fierce fight began. It is said to have lasted twenty-eight days. Slowly Jamvant tired and understood that this was no ordinary warrior; this was his own Lord, Shri Ram! He fell at His feet and asked forgiveness, and with honour gave Him the jewel and his daughter Jambavati in marriage.

Back in Dwarka, Krishna returned the jewel to Satrajit before everyone. Satrajit was deeply ashamed. To make amends he gave his daughter Satyabhama in marriage to Krishna and offered the jewel too. Krishna accepted Satyabhama but let the jewel stay with Satrajit. Tradition holds that hearing this story removes the fear of false accusation.