When Kṛṣṇa reached the great cave, he entered, uncertain of what awaited him within. Inside, he found a pure, radiant dwelling, its chambers aglow with the light of many precious jewels. There, he beheld the nurse of Jāmbavat’s son, playfully swinging the child and, with delight, placing the Syamantaka jewel at the front of the swing, all the while singing joyfully as she rocked him. As she sang, she recounted how the lion had slain Prasena, and how Jāmbavat, lord of the bears, had then killed the lion. She comforted the child, saying, “Do not weep, gentle one; this is indeed your Syamantaka.” Hearing these words, the valiant Vāsudeva, Kṛṣṇa, sounded his conch. The mighty blast echoed through the cave, and at that great sound, Jāmbavat himself emerged. Immediately, a fierce battle broke out between the two heroes. For ten days and nights, they fought without pause, their fists as hard as thunderbolts, terrifying to all beings who beheld them. But as the struggle wore on, Jāmbavat saw Kṛṣṇa’s strength grow ever greater while his own began to wane. In that moment, he recalled the words once spoken by the Supreme Soul and realized, “This is Rāma himself, descended again to protect righteousness. My master has come to fulfill my heart’s desire.” Awakened to this truth, the lord of the bears ended the battle. With hands joined in reverence, he addressed Govinda in wonder, asking, “Who are you?” Kṛṣṇa, ceasing the fight, spoke in a deep, resonant voice: “I am the son of Vasudeva, known as Vāsudeva. You have taken my jewel, the Syamantaka, without fear; now return it to me quickly, or else you will meet your death.” Hearing this, Jāmbavat was filled with joy. He bowed low before Kṛṣṇa, saluting him with humility, and spoke: “I am blessed, O Lord! My purpose is fulfilled by seeing you. I am your servant from a former birth, O son of Devakī. O Govinda, you have accomplished the battle I once desired. This struggle, born of my delusion, was in truth your doing. Therefore, O Lord of the universe, ocean of compassion, eternal one, forgive my offense.” After offering these words, Jāmbavat bowed repeatedly and, with great reverence, seated Kṛṣṇa upon a throne adorned with splendid jewels. He washed the lotus-like feet of the Yadu prince with pure water and honored him according to the sacred madhuparka rite. He clothed Kṛṣṇa in divine garments, adorned him with ornaments, and then, as the highest gift, offered his own daughter—the beautiful maiden Jāmbavatī—in marriage. Thus, Jāmbavat gave his jewel among maidens to the mighty Kṛṣṇa, along with the Syamantaka jewel and other precious gems. There, in that radiant cave, Kṛṣṇa joyfully married Jāmbavatī, and out of affection, granted supreme liberation to Jāmbavat. Taking his new bride with him, Kṛṣṇa departed the cave, his heart filled with joy, and returned to the city of Dvārakā. There, the best of the Yadus returned the Syamantaka jewel to Satrajit and also bestowed a magnificent gem upon his own daughter. It is said that on the fourth day of the bright half of the month of Bhādrapada, the moon is seen, and one should avoid false accusations on that day. Whoever, on that fourth day, sees the cool-rayed moon and hears the story of the Syamantaka is freed from false accusations. In time, three daughters of the king of Madra—Sulakṣmaṇā, Nagna-jiti, and the virtuous and renowned Suśīlā, all with auspicious faces—came to their own svayaṃvara. There, these radiant maidens chose Kṛṣṇa as their husband, and on a single day, the descendant of Yadu married them all. Thus, Kṛṣṇa’s eight principal queens came to be: Rukmiṇī, Satyabhāmā, the pure-smiling Kālindī, Mitravindā, Jāmbavatī, Nagna-jiti, Sulakṣmaṇā, and the slender-waisted Suśīlā. At that time, there was a mighty son of the earth named Naraka, a demon who conquered Indra and all the other gods in battle. He seized the radiant earrings of Aditi, mother of the gods, along with many divine jewels. He took Airāvata, the elephant of Mahendra, the celestial horse Uccaiḥśravas, the jewels of Kubera—including the precious mani—and the conch and lotus treasures. Naraka also carried off celestial nymphs and women, and by force took the thunderbolt and other weapons from the gods. With these very weapons, he slew the gods and remained in his magic-wrought city in the sky, clad in radiant garments. Terrified and distressed, all the hosts of gods, led by Indra, sought refuge with Kṛṣṇa, the doer of blameless deeds. Hearing of Naraka’s misdeeds, Kṛṣṇa assured the gods of safety and then called to mind Garuḍa. At that moment, mighty Garuḍa, honored by all the gods, appeared before Hari with joined palms. Mounting the king of birds together with Satyā, Kṛṣṇa, praised by sages, set out for the abode of the demons. He saw the city blazing in the sky like the sun itself, filled with many demons adorned with divine ornaments. Kṛṣṇa beheld that impregnable city and, seeing its fortifications, prepared his discus. With his radiance, he cut through the darkness as the sun dispels night. Then, hundreds and thousands of demons, raising their spears, advanced to battle. Armed with divine javelins, clubs, and maces, they struck at Keśava as straw strikes fire. Unmoved, the Lord, bearer of the Garuḍa banner, took up his great bow, Śārṅga, ready for battle.