Hearing the rumors circulating among the people, the Blessed Lord Krishna resolved to clear his name. Accompanied by the entire Yadu army, he set out to trace the path of Prasena’s horse. As they followed the trail, Krishna discovered Prasena and his horse lying dead, slain by a lion. This sight, and the clear tracks of the lion, freed Krishna from suspicion before all who witnessed it. Determined to discover the fate of the Syamantaka jewel, he followed the lion’s tracks deeper into the wild. Soon, Krishna came upon the lion itself, found dead in a small clearing, killed by the lord of the bears, Jāmbavat. Understanding that the jewel must have passed into Jāmbavat’s possession, Krishna continued, now following the tracks of the bear. On the slope of a mountain, Krishna left the Yadu army behind and entered Jāmbavat’s cave alone. Within the cave, Krishna heard the gentle voice of a nurse comforting little Sukumāra. She sang a verse: “The lion killed Prasena; the lion was slain by Jāmbavat; do not weep, Sukumāra, for this is your Syamantaka.” Hearing these words, Krishna entered and saw the Syamantaka jewel, radiant and luminous, being used as a plaything for the child in the nurse’s hand. Startled by the arrival of this extraordinary man whose eyes were fixed upon the jewel, the nurse cried out for help. Her call of distress brought Jāmbavat himself, his heart inflamed with anger, rushing to the scene. Thus began a fierce battle between Krishna and Jāmbavat, a contest of strength and will that raged for twenty-one days. Outside, the Yadu warriors waited anxiously for seven or eight days, hoping for Krishna’s return. When he did not emerge, they feared the worst. “Surely the slayer of Madhu has perished in this cave; otherwise, how could so many days pass without his victorious return?” Convinced of his demise, they returned to Dvārakā and reported that Krishna had been killed. Grief-stricken, his relatives performed all the appropriate final rites for him. Meanwhile, Krishna, engaged in unrelenting combat, was sustained by food and drink prepared with utmost devotion, which restored his strength and life-force. Jāmbavat, however, became weaker each day, his body battered by Krishna’s mighty blows and deprived of nourishment. At last, defeated by the Blessed Lord, Jāmbavat bowed down and spoke humbly: “Even all the gods, asuras, gandharvas, yakṣas, rākṣasas, and others together cannot conquer you—how much less, then, mere mortals, animals, or beings of human origin? Surely, you are none other than Rāma himself, a portion of Nārāyaṇa, the refuge of all the worlds.” Krishna then revealed to Jāmbavat the purpose of his descent—to remove the burden of the earth. Touched by Krishna’s compassion, Jāmbavat was relieved of his fatigue with a gentle touch from the Lord. Bowing again, Jāmbavat offered his daughter Jāmbavatī to Krishna in marriage, honoring him as a worthy son-in-law. He also surrendered the precious Syamantaka jewel. Though Krishna would not normally accept such a gift from one so devoted, he took the jewel to clear himself of false accusation. With Jāmbavatī by his side, Krishna returned to Dvārakā. The people of Dvārakā, upon seeing Krishna, were overwhelmed with joy. Their hearts leapt with happiness, and even those advanced in age seemed to regain their youth. The Yādavas and the women honored him, exclaiming, “By fortune! By fortune!” In the assembly of the Yādavas, Krishna recounted all that had transpired, exactly as it had happened. He returned the Syamantaka jewel to Satrājit, thus clearing himself of all suspicion, and settled Jāmbavatī in the inner quarters of his household. Satrājit, fearful for having falsely accused Krishna, sought to make amends and gave his daughter Satyabhāmā to the Lord in marriage. However, before this, Akrūra, Kṛtavarman, Śatadhanvan, and other Yādavas had also sought her hand. Feeling slighted by Satrājit’s decision, these men nursed a grudge against him. Akrūra, Kṛtavarman, and others spoke to Śatadhanvan: “Satrājit is truly wicked—he disregarded us and you, and gave his daughter to Krishna. Enough of letting him live! Kill him and seize the Syamantaka jewel. We will support you, and if Acyuta bears a grudge, we will stand by you.” Thus persuaded, Śatadhanvan agreed. Though Krishna knew the truth about the Pandavas’ survival after the burning of the house of lac, he went to Varanavata, either to counter Duryodhana’s schemes or to aid the Pandavas. While Krishna was away and asleep, Śatadhanvan murdered Satrājit and took the Syamantaka jewel. Satyabhāmā, filled with anger at her father’s murder, quickly mounted her chariot and went to Varanavata to find Krishna. She cried out, “I have been wronged; our father was slain by the merciless Śatadhanvan, and the Syamantaka jewel was stolen—a jewel whose radiance could dispel darkness from the three worlds.” She implored Krishna, “This is your responsibility; consider what is appropriate and let it be done.” Pleased by her determination, Krishna spoke gently to Satyabhāmā, whose eyes were red with anger: “In truth, this is my responsibility; I will not tolerate such insult from that wicked man.