112- Krishna and the Syamantak Mani: The False Accusation, Battle with Jambavan, and Marriages with Jambavati, Satyabhama, and Kalindi

Shukdevji tells Parikshit that Satrajit, a prominent Yadav leader of Dwarka, was a great devotee of Bhagwan Surya. Pleased by his exclusive devotion, Suryadev gifted him the divine Syamantak Mani. The brilliance of that jewel was so extraordinary that when Satrajit entered Dwarka wearing it, people mistook him for Suryadev Himself.

Filled with wonder, they went to Bhagwan Shree Krishna and said, “O Prabhu! It appears that Surya Narayan Himself is coming for Your darshan.” Hearing this, Bhagwan Shree Krishna smiled and said, “This is not Suryadev. It is Satrajit, who appears so radiant because of the Syamantak Mani.”

After this, Satrajit returned home and had the divine jewel ceremonially installed in a temple by brahmins.

The Syamantak Mani produced arround eight bharas  (75–80 kgs) of gold every day. Wherever it was worshipped with faith, there was never famine, epidemic, planetary affliction, fear of snakes, mental or physical suffering, or any other inauspiciousness.

Once, Bhagwan Shree Krishna advised Satrajit that the jewel should be given to King Ugrasen, because if it remained with the king, the entire kingdom would benefit from it. But Satrajit was extremely greedy. Ignoring Bhagwan’s instruction and proper dharmic conduct, he refused the proposal.

One day, Satrajit’s brother Prasen went hunting in the forest wearing the Syamantak Mani. There, a lion killed both him and his horse and took away the jewel. Later, Riksharaj Jambavan killed the lion and carried the jewel to his cave, where he gave it to his child as a toy.

When Prasen failed to return, Satrajit falsely accused Bhagwan Shree Krishna of killing his brother out of greed for the jewel. This rumour spread throughout the city. To remove this false stain upon His name, Bhagwan Shree Krishna went into the forest with some companions. There He found the dead bodies of Prasen and the lion and, following the tracks, eventually reached Jambavan’s cave.

Leaving everyone outside, Shree Krishna entered the cave alone. There He saw the Syamantak Mani lying as a plaything for Jambavan’s child. As He moved forward to take it, the child’s nurse cried out loudly. Hearing the sound, Jambavan arrived there angrily.

At that time, Jambavan did not recognise Bhagwan Shree Krishna’s true identity. Mistaking Him for an ordinary human, he began fighting with Him. A fierce battle took place between them. First, they used weapons, then hurled rocks and trees at one another, and finally engaged in terrible hand-to-hand combat.

Shree Krishna and Jambavan fought continuously for twenty-eight days. At last, due to the powerful blows of Bhagwan Shree Krishna’s fists, every joint in Jambavan’s body became shattered and weakened. His strength and enthusiasm faded, and his body became drenched in sweat.

Then, filled with amazement, Jambavan said to Shree Krishna, “Now I understand. You are the Lord and protector of all beings, the eternal Supreme Bhagwan Vishnu Himself.” He then remembered that Bhagwan had once appeared as Ramji, built the bridge across the ocean, and destroyed Lanka. “Surely You are that very Ramji, now appearing in the form of Shree Krishna.”

When Jambavan recognised Bhagwan Shree Krishna, Bhagwan compassionately touched his body with His lotus hands and lovingly said, “I came to this cave only to obtain the Syamantak Mani and remove the false accusation against Me.”

Hearing this, Jambavan became overjoyed. With devotion and love, he offered both the Syamantak Mani and his daughter Jambavati at Bhagwan Shree Krishna’s lotus feet.

The people who had accompanied Bhagwan waited outside the cave for twelve days. When He did not emerge, they sadly returned to Dwarka. Upon hearing the news, Devakiji, Vasudevji, Rukminiji, and all the residents of Dwarka were overwhelmed with grief and blamed Satrajit.

For Bhagwan Shree Krishna’s safe return, everyone worshipped Mahamaya Durga. By the grace of the Goddess, Bhagwan soon appeared before them along with the Syamantak Mani and His new bride, Jambavati. Seeing Him return safely, all the residents of Dwarka rejoiced as if a dead person had come back to life.

Bhagwan Shree Krishna then summoned Satrajit to the royal assembly and narrated the entire story of the Syamantak Mani before everyone. Afterwards, He returned the jewel to him. Satrajit became deeply ashamed and filled with remorse. To atone for his offence, he decided to offer both his daughter Satyabhama and the Syamantak Mani to Bhagwan Shree Krishna.

Satyabhama was exceptionally virtuous, beautiful, and noble in character. Bhagwan Shree Krishna duly accepted her hand in marriage. However, while returning the Syamantak Mani, Bhagwan said, “This jewel should remain with you, since you are a devotee of Suryadev. We only require the share of gold that it produces.”

Shukdevji tells King Parikshit that although Bhagwan Shree Krishna already knew that the Pandavas had not been harmed in the Lakshagriha fire, when He heard that Kunti and the Pandavas had supposedly perished, He went to Hastinapur with Balramji to observe proper family conduct according to worldly tradition.

Meanwhile, in Dwarka, Akrur and Kritavarma provoked Shatadhanva by saying, “Satrajit had promised to marry Satyabhama to one of us, but instead he insulted us and gave her to Krishna. Why do you not send Satrajit to Yamlok like his brother Prasen and seize the Syamantak Mani?”

Shatadhanva was sinful by nature, and his death was already near. Influenced by Akrur and Kritavarma, he became corrupted by greed. That wicked man murdered Satrajit while he slept and fled with the Syamantak Mani.

When Satyabhamaji saw that her father had been killed, she was overcome with grief. Crying repeatedly, she lamented, “Alas, father! Alas, father! I am ruined!” Again and again, she fainted and then regained consciousness only to weep once more.

She then had her father’s body preserved in a large vessel filled with oil and personally travelled to Hastinapur. There, she sorrowfully informed Bhagwan Shree Krishna about her father’s murder.

Upon hearing of Satrajit’s death, Bhagwan Shree Krishna and Balramji outwardly expressed grief like ordinary humans, then returned to Dwarka with Satyabhamaji. Upon arriving, They resolved to punish Shatadhanva and recover the Syamantak Mani.

When Shatadhanva learned that Bhagwan Shree Krishna was coming after him, he became terrified. First, he approached Kritavarma for help, but Kritavarma refused, saying that no one who opposes Shree Krishna and Balramji can ever remain happy.

Then Shatadhanva went to Akrurji. Akrurji also refused to help him and glorified Bhagwan Shree Krishna, saying that He was the same Bhagwan who had lifted Govardhan Hill in childhood.

Seeing no other option, Shatadhanva secretly left the Syamantak Mani with Akrurji and fled on a swift horse. Bhagwan Shree Krishna and Balramji mounted Their chariot and pursued him.

Near Mithila, Shatadhanva’s horse collapsed. Terrified, he began fleeing on foot. Bhagwan Shree Krishna chased after him and severed his head with the Sudarshan Chakra. But when Bhagwan searched him, the Syamantak Mani was nowhere to be found.

Bhagwan Shree Krishna then told Balramji, “Shatadhanva has been killed in vain, for the jewel was not with him.” Balramji concluded that he must have entrusted it to someone else. He then asked Shree Krishna to return to Dwarka and continue searching for the jewel, while He Himself went to Mithila to visit His dear friend, the king of Videha.

The king of Mithila welcomed Balramji with great affection and honour. Balramji remained there for several years, and during that time, Duryodhan learned the art of mace fighting from Him.

Meanwhile, Bhagwan Shree Krishna returned to Dwarka and informed Satyabhamaji that although Shatadhanva had been slain, the Syamantak Mani had not been found. Bhagwan then properly performed all the funeral rites and shraddha ceremonies for Satrajit.

Akrur and Kritavarma had been the ones who incited Shatadhanva to murder Satrajit. Therefore, when they heard that Bhagwan Shree Krishna had killed Shatadhanva, they fled Dwarka in fear.

Soon, people began saying that many calamities and misfortunes had arisen in Dwarka because Akrur had left the city. The elders praised Akrur and his father Shvaphalk, saying that wherever they resided, prosperity, rainfall, and happiness prevailed.

Although Bhagwan Shree Krishna knew that Akrur’s departure was not the true cause of these troubles, He still summoned Akrur back in order to calm public opinion. Bhagwan welcomed him affectionately and smilingly said, “We already know that Shatadhanva left the Syamantak Mani with you.”

Bhagwan Shree Krishna then said to Akrurji, “Although Our sons may technically have a claim over this jewel, let it remain with you. Only show the jewel publicly so that the doubts of Balramji, Satyabhama, and Jambavati may be removed.”

Akrur then produced the radiant Syamantak Mani wrapped in cloth and showed it to Bhagwan. Bhagwan displayed the jewel before everyone, thereby removing the false accusations against Himself, and then returned it to Akrurji.

Shukdevji says that when it became known that the Pandavas had not died in the fire at the Lakshagriha, Bhagwan Shree Krishna went to Indraprastha with Satyaki and other Yadus to meet them. Seeing Krishna, the Pandavas became overwhelmed with joy and lovingly embraced Him. By His touch and darshan, all their sorrows vanished.

Bhagwan Shree Krishna bowed to Yudhishthir and Bhimsen, embraced Arjun warmly, and Nakul and Sahadev offered obeisance at His feet. Draupadi too approached with modesty and bowed before Bhagwan. 

Then Bhagwan went to meet His bua, Kuntiji. Kuntiji embraced Him lovingly and, overcome with emotion, said, “When You remembered us and sent Akrur, we helpless ones found support.”

Yudhishthirji glorified Bhagwan and said that even great yogis attain His darshan only with difficulty, whereas they were receiving Him so easily. At Yudhishthirji’s request, Bhagwan Shree Krishna remained in Indraprastha for the four months of the rainy season, delighting everyone with His divine beauty.

Once, Arjun and Shree Krishna went into a dense forest. Feeling thirsty, they reached the banks of Yamuna ji. After washing their hands and feet and drinking the pure water, they saw an extraordinarily beautiful young woman engaged in tapasya there.

At Bhagwan Shree Krishna’s request, Arjun approached her and asked, “Beautiful one, who are you? Whose daughter are you? From where have you come, and what is your purpose here?”

The maiden replied, “I am the daughter of Suryadev. My name is Kalindi. I desire Bhagwan Vishnu as my husband, and for this purpose, I am performing severe austerities. May Bhagwan Shree Krishna, the sole shelter of the helpless and the giver of divine love, become pleased with me. My father has built a residence for me within the waters of the Yamuna, and I remain there performing tapasya until I receive Bhagwan’s darshan.”

Arjun returned and recounted everything to Bhagwan Shree Krishna, although He already knew it. Then Krishna seated Kalindiji upon His chariot and brought her to Dharmaraj Yudhishthir. Later, after returning to Dwarka, Bhagwan Shree Krishna married Kalindiji according to proper Vedic rites at an auspicious time.

Summary: JKYog India Online Class- Shreemad Bhagavat Katha [Hindi]- 15.05.2026