The king, eager to understand the events surrounding Satrājit and Krishna, asked the sage: “What wrong did Satrājit commit against Krishna, O Brāhmaṇa? How did he come to possess the Syamantaka jewel? And why did he give his daughter to Hari?” Śrī Śuka replied: Satrājit was a great devotee and a close friend of the sun god. Pleased by Satrājit’s devotion, the sun god bestowed upon him the radiant Syamantaka jewel. Adorned with the jewel around his neck, Satrājit shone with a brilliance rivaling the sun itself. When he entered the city of Dvārakā, his dazzling radiance was so extraordinary that the people could not recognize him. From a distance, they were astonished and, overwhelmed by his splendor, hurried to report to Bhagavān Krishna, who was at that moment playing dice. They exclaimed, “O Nārāyaṇa, salutations to you, bearer of the conch, discus, and mace! O Dāmodara, lotus-eyed Govinda, delight of the Yadus—here comes the sun god himself, O lord of the world! He must wish to see you, for he steals the sight of men with his fierce rays. Surely, the best among the gods seek your path throughout the three worlds, knowing you are hidden among the Yadus. Today, the unborn lord comes to see you.” Hearing the excited words of the children, Krishna, the lotus-eyed, laughed gently and reassured them: “That is not the sun god, but Satrājit, shining with the jewel.” Satrājit proceeded to his splendid house, which was decorated for auspiciousness, and placed the Syamantaka jewel in his shrine, consecrated by the brāhmaṇas. The jewel was wondrous: every day, it produced eight loads of gold. Wherever the jewel was worshipped, famine, calamity, snake afflictions, diseases, and misfortune did not occur. When the Yadu king, Śauri (Krishna), requested the jewel, Satrājit refused, not desiring wealth, and disregarded Krishna’s request. Once, Prasena, Satrājit’s brother, adorned himself with the radiant jewel, mounted his horse, and rode into the forest to hunt. There, a lion attacked, killing Prasena and his horse, then seized the jewel and retreated into a mountain cave. But Jāmbavat, the king of bears, slew the lion in the cave, desiring the jewel, and took it. He made the Syamantaka a plaything for his son in the cave. When Prasena did not return, Satrājit was greatly distressed. Rumors began to spread: “He who wore the jewel-necklace has likely been killed by Krishna in the forest; his brother is gone.” These whispers traveled from ear to ear, staining Krishna’s name with suspicion. Hearing that his own reputation was being maligned, the Blessed Lord Krishna resolved to clear himself. He set out with the citizens, following the path taken by Prasena. They found Prasena slain, his horse killed by a lion in the forest, and then discovered the lion itself had been killed by a bear on the mountain slope. Krishna alone entered the dreadful cave of Jāmbavat, shrouded in dense darkness, after stationing the people outside. Within, he saw the precious jewel being used as a child’s toy. Determined to retrieve it, Krishna stood waiting near the child. The nurse, seeing the unfamiliar man, cried out in fear. Hearing her, Jāmbavat, the foremost of the strong, rushed in, enraged. Not recognizing Krishna’s true power, he thought him an ordinary man and fiercely fought with him. A terrible duel ensued between Krishna and Jāmbavat, both eager for victory. They battled with weapons, stones, trees, and their own arms, like vultures fighting over flesh. For twenty-eight days, without rest, day and night, they struck each other with fists as hard as thunderbolts. Jāmbavat, exhausted and his limbs crushed by Krishna’s blows, his body drenched in sweat, was astonished and finally spoke: “I know you are the life, vigor, strength, and power of all beings—Viṣṇu, the ancient person, the supreme lord and master. You are the creator of creators and that which exists among the created; you are Time, the lord of those who measure, the supreme Self, and the self of all selves. By your mere sidelong glance, slightly raised in anger, the ocean was stirred, a path was shown, a bridge built, Lanka’s fame was made to shine, and the heads of the demons fell to the earth, shattered by arrows.” Recognizing Krishna’s divinity, Jāmbavat, the king of bears, addressed Achyuta, the son of Devakī. Krishna, lotus-eyed, touched him gently and, with a voice deep as a thundercloud, spoke compassionately: “O king of bears, I have come to your cave for the sake of the jewel, to clear myself of the false accusation, with this very jewel.” Jāmbavat, overjoyed, honored Krishna by giving him his own daughter, Jāmbavatī, in marriage, along with the Syamantaka jewel. Meanwhile, the people outside, not seeing Krishna emerge from the cave, waited twelve days in sorrow and then returned to Dvārakā. Hearing of Krishna’s absence, Devakī, the queen, along with Rukmiṇī, Vasudeva, friends, and relatives, grieved deeply. The sorrowful citizens of Dvārakā cursed Satrājit and, seeking news of Krishna, approached the goddess Candra-bhāgā, Durgā. Because of their worship, the goddess blessed them and instructed them. Then, Hari, having accomplished his purpose and accompanied by his wife, appeared, bringing joy to all. Seeing Hṛṣīkeśa, adorned with the jewel and accompanied by his wife, return as if from death, the people were filled with great festivity. Krishna summoned Satrājit into the royal assembly and, in the presence of the king, recounted the recovery of the jewel and presented it to Satrājit. Satrājit, greatly ashamed, took the gem and returned home with his face cast down, tormented by his own wrongdoing. Disturbed by intense remorse and inner conflict, Satrājit pondered: “How can I cleanse myself of this sin? How might Acyuta be pleased with me? What should I do so that people consider me virtuous and do not curse me as short-sighted, petty, foolish, and greedy for wealth?