A man blessed with many descendants attains a vast and flourishing lineage, and so the dynasties of old grew in splendor. From Bhajamana was born Rathamukhya, and his son was Viduratha. Among Viduratha’s descendants was the king Rajadhideva, whose son was Shura. Rajadhideva’s sons were powerful and strong: Dattātidatta, Shonashva, and Shvetavahana. There were others in this illustrious family—Shami, Dandasharma, Dantashatru, and Shatrujit, as well as two sisters, Shravanā and Shraviṣṭhā. Shami’s lineage continued with his son Pratikshatra, whose own son was Swayambhoja. From Swayambhoja came Bhadika, whose sons were all renowned for their valor. Among them, Kritavarma was the eldest, and Shatadhanva was the middle brother. The family extended further with Devanta, Naranta, Bhishagvaitarana, Sudanta, Atidanta, Nikashya, and Kamadambhaka. Devanta’s son was the wise Kambalabarhisha, who had two sons: Asamauja and Nasamauja. Asamauja, though initially without children, was later blessed with sons—Sudaṃshtra, Sucharu, and Krishna—who became known as the Andhakas. Meanwhile, Kroshṭu took Gandhari and Madri as his wives. Gandhari gave birth to the mighty Anamitra, while Madri bore Yudhajit and then Devamidhuṣa. Anamitra, unconquered and victorious, fathered Nighna, who had two sons—Prasena and Satrajit—both formidable in battle. Prasena, residing in Dvaravati, came into possession of the divine Syamantaka jewel, a great gem bestowed by the Sun himself. Satrajit, for whom the Sun was both friend and very life, once set out at the end of night, riding his chariot to the riverbank to perform his ablutions. There, Vivasvan, the radiant Sun, appeared before him, surrounded by a brilliant circle of light. The king, awestruck, addressed the Lord of lights, marveling that he saw him now on earth just as he always beheld him shining in the sky. Satrajit asked, “What difference is there for me, who has approached you in friendship?” Hearing these words, the Blessed Lord removed the Syamantaka jewel from his own neck and set it aside in a secluded place, revealing himself in bodily form to the king. Pleased, the king conversed with Vivasvan for a while. As the Sun prepared to depart, Satrajit spoke again, “O Lord, you who illumine all the worlds, you ought to give me this jewel by which you shine.” At that moment, Bhaskara, the Sun, granted the Syamantaka jewel to Satrajit. The king fastened the radiant gem upon himself and entered the city. Its brilliance was so great that people cried out in amazement, “The Sun is going!” and they ran after him. Satrajit entered his city and his inner chambers, filled with wonder and joy. Satrajit lovingly gave the divine Syamantaka jewel to his excellent brother Prasena. Wherever the jewel resided—in the houses of the Vrishnis and Andhakas—it produced gold, rains fell in due season, and there was no fear of disease. Govinda, desiring the Syamantaka jewel, could have taken it from Prasena, but though able, he neither took it nor seized it. One day, Prasena, adorned with the Syamantaka jewel, went hunting in the forest. There, drawn by the gem’s power, he was killed by a lion. The mighty king of bears, seeing the lion fleeing, slew it, took the Syamantaka jewel, and carried it into his cave. When Prasena did not return, the Vrishnis and Andhakas, suspecting Krishna, began to accuse him regarding the missing jewel. Righteous Krishna, thus suspected, resolved to recover the Syamantaka jewel. With this vow, he set out for the forest, accompanied by trusted and diligent men who followed Prasena’s trail. They searched the mountains rich with bears, especially the Vindhya range, but though they found Prasena’s slain horse, they did not find Prasena or the jewel. However, they did discover a lion, not far from Prasena’s body, which in turn had been killed by a bear. The bear’s tracks were clear, and Mādhava followed them to the bear’s cave. At the cave’s entrance, Krishna heard a woman’s voice as she nursed Jāmbavat’s son, soothing the child with the Syamantaka jewel in her hand. She said, “Do not cry. The lion killed Prasena; the lion was slain by Jāmbavat. Do not weep, gentle child; this Syamantaka is yours.” Hearing these words, Krishna swiftly entered the cave. He stationed the Yadus and the wielder of the plough at the entrance, then proceeded inside, where he saw Jāmbavat. There, within the bear’s cave, Vāsudeva engaged in a mighty contest with Jāmbavat, fighting with his arms alone. Their struggle endured for twenty-one days.