Prasena, entrusted with the wondrous Syamantaka jewel, declared firmly, “This jewel always brings forth lost gold; therefore, I must not give it to anyone.” Kṛṣṇa, understanding Prasena’s resolve, remained silent. Later, Kṛṣṇa, accompanied by the foremost Yadus, set out for a hunt. They entered the vast forest together with Prasena and other mighty warriors, thousands of hunters spreading out in search of game. Prasena, venturing alone deep into the great forest, was spotted by a lion. The beast attacked, slew Prasena, and seized the Syamantaka jewel. Soon after, the mighty Jāmbavat killed the lion with his bare hands, took the jewel, and swiftly entered his cave, attended by celestial women. Meanwhile, as the sun set and the moon rose on the fourth night, Vāsudeva Kṛṣṇa and his followers returned to their city. In Dvārakā, the townspeople began to whisper among themselves, suspecting Kṛṣṇa: “Govinda has killed Prasena in the forest under the pretense of hunting. He took the excellent Syamantaka jewel without suspicion.” Hearing these words, Hari, fearing misunderstanding by the ignorant, led the Yadus back into the forest. There, he showed them Prasena, slain by the lion. Having purified himself, Kṛṣṇa stationed the great army and entered the dense forest alone, bearing his mighty Śārṅga bow and mace. He found a great cave and entered, uncertain of what he would find. Inside, in a pure, jewel-lit house, he saw the nurse of Jāmbavat’s son, joyfully rocking the child in a swing, the Syamantaka jewel hanging at the front, as she sang, “The lion killed Prasena, and the lion was slain by Jāmbavat. O gentle child, do not weep; this is indeed your Syamantaka.” Hearing this, the valiant Vāsudeva blew his conch, and at its great sound, Jāmbavat emerged. A fierce battle erupted between them, lasting ten days without interruption. Their fists struck like thunderbolts, terrifying all beings. Observing Kṛṣṇa’s growing strength and his own waning power, Jāmbavat remembered the words of the Supreme Soul: “This is Rāma himself, descended again for the protection of righteousness; my master has come to fulfill my heart’s desire.” Realizing this, the lord of the bears ended the battle and, with joined palms, spoke to Govinda in wonder: “Who are you?” Ceasing the fight, Śauri replied in a deep voice, “I am the son of Vasudeva, called Vāsudeva. You have taken my jewel, Syamantaka, quite fearlessly; therefore, return it to me quickly, or else you will meet your death.” Hearing these words, Jāmbavat was delighted. He bowed down reverently and humbly addressed Keśava: “I am blessed; I have achieved my purpose by seeing you, O Lord. I am your servant from a former birth, O son of Devakī. O Govinda, you have accomplished the battle that was previously desired. This battle, O Lord, which I undertook out of delusion, was in fact done by you. Therefore, O Lord of the universe, ocean of compassion, eternal one, may you forgive it.” Having spoken thus, Jāmbavat bowed repeatedly and seated the Lord with reverence upon a throne adorned with various jewels. He washed the lotus-like feet of the descendant of Yadu with pure water and worshipped him according to the madhuparka rite. He adorned Kṛṣṇa with divine garments and ornaments, and then offered his beautiful daughter, Jambavati, in marriage. He gave this jewel among maidens to the mighty one as a wife, along with the Syamantaka jewel and other foremost gems. There, after marrying Jambavati, the slayer of enemy heroes, Kṛṣṇa, delighted, granted supreme liberation to Jāmbavat out of affection. Joyfully taking his new wife Jambavati, Kṛṣṇa departed from the cave and returned to Dvārakā. The best of the Yadus, Kṛṣṇa, gave the Syamantaka jewel to Satrajit, and also gave an excellent gem to his own daughter. On the fourth day of the bright half of the month of Bhadrapada, the moon is seen; it is said that false accusations should be avoided on that day. Whoever sees the cool-rayed moon and hears the story of Syamantaka on that fourth day is freed from false accusations. Sulakshmana, Nagna-jiti, and the virtuous, renowned Sushila—three daughters of the king of Madra, all with auspicious faces—were present at their own svayamvara. These radiant maidens chose Kṛṣṇa, and on a single day, the descendant of Yadu married them. All eight queens of the great-souled Kṛṣṇa, beginning with Rukmini, are remembered: Rukmini, Satyabhama, Kalindi of the pure smile, Mitravinda, Jambavati, Nagna-jiti, Sulakshmana, and the slender-waisted Sushila. At this time, there was a mighty son of the earth named Naraka, a demon, who conquered Indra, the lord of the gods, and all the other gods in battle. He forcefully seized the radiant earrings of Aditi, the mother of the gods, and various jewels belonging to the gods. He took Airavata, the elephant of Mahendra, and also the horse Ucchaihshravas, the jewels of Kubera such as the mani, and the conch and lotus treasures. Naraka also carried off the celestial nymphs and women, and by force took the thunderbolt and other weapons from the gods.