When Satrājit gave his daughter away, ignoring the requests of Akrūra, Kṛtavarman, and others who had sought her hand, bitterness took root in their hearts. Feeling slighted, they grew resentful toward Satrājit. Gathering together, Akrūra, Kṛtavarman, and their companions spoke to Śatadhanvan, saying, “Satrājit is truly wicked. He has disregarded both our wishes and yours, and instead gave his daughter to Kṛṣṇa. Enough of this! Why let him live any longer? Kill him and take the great Syamantaka jewel for yourself. Why hesitate? We will stand by you. If Acyuta (Kṛṣṇa) bears a grudge against you for this, we will support you.” Hearing their words, Śatadhanvan agreed. Meanwhile, the blessed one, aware of the true fate of the Pāṇḍavas who had been burned in the house of lac, traveled to Vāraṇāvata—either to weaken Duryodhana’s plans or to act in favor of the Pāṇḍavas. While he was there and asleep, Śatadhanvan seized the opportunity, killed Satrājit, and took the Syamantaka jewel. Satyabhāmā, filled with wrath at her father's murder, quickly mounted her chariot and sped to Vāraṇāvata. Reaching the blessed one, she poured out her grief: “I have been wronged. My father has been slain by the merciless Śatadhanvan, and the Syamantaka jewel, whose radiance can dispel darkness from the three worlds, has been stolen.” She turned to Kṛṣṇa and said, “This is your responsibility. Consider what must be done, and let it be accomplished.” Hearing her, Kṛṣṇa, though his heart was pleased by her trust, saw the anger burning in her eyes and spoke gently: “Indeed, it is my responsibility. I shall not tolerate such an insult from that wicked man. Yet, just as birds nesting in trees built by others do not harm the tree they rest upon, let us not act rashly or speak hastily before all.” With these words, Vasudeva returned to Dvārakā and conferred privately with Baladeva. He recounted, “While hunting, Prasena was killed by a lion in the forest. Now, Satrājit too has been slain by Śatadhanvan. With both of them gone, the Syamantaka jewel should belong to us equally. Therefore, rise and mount the chariot—let us pursue Śatadhanvan and bring him to justice.” Baladeva agreed, and together they set out in search of Śatadhanvan. As the two prepared for their pursuit, Śatadhanvan approached Kṛtavarman and asked for his help in escaping. But Kṛtavarman replied, “I am not capable of opposing Baladeva and Vasudeva.” So, Śatadhanvan turned to Akrūra for assistance. Akrūra responded, “No one can stand against the blessed one, before whom the three worlds tremble at the strike of his foot, who makes widows among the wives of the gods’ enemies, whose mighty discus repels all powerful foes, whose gaze delights the proud, whose sword destroys great enemies, and who, together with Satyabhāmā, is revered by all the worlds—even by the foremost immortals. If you seek refuge, look elsewhere.” Śatadhanvan, realizing he had no protector, said, “If you cannot protect me, then take this jewel and keep it safe.” Akrūra replied, “Even if you do not speak of it at the last moment, I will obtain that gem.” So, by mutual agreement, Akrūra took custody of the Syamantaka jewel. Śatadhanvan then mounted a horse swift as the scales of justice and capable of covering a hundred yojanas, and fled. Balarāma and Vasudeva pursued him in a chariot drawn by four noble horses—Shaivya, Sugrīva, Meghapuṣpa, and Balāhaka. Śatadhanvan’s horse, after racing a hundred yojanas, collapsed and died in the Mithila forest. Abandoning the fallen horse, Śatadhanvan continued his flight on foot. Kṛṣṇa turned to Balabhadra and said, “You should remain here with the chariot while I, on foot, pursue this wicked man and end him. The rulers of this land are vigilant and fearful, so neither you nor I should cross this territory with our chariot.” Baladeva agreed and stayed behind. Kṛṣṇa followed the path for about two kroshas, and from a distance, hurled his discus, severing Śatadhanvan’s head. Yet, when he searched the body, the clothes, and all belongings, he could not find the Syamantaka jewel. He returned to Balabhadra and said, “In vain have we killed Śatadhanvan; we have not obtained the great Syamantaka jewel, the very essence of the world.” Baladeva, angered by this outcome, rebuked Vasudeva: “Shame on you! Your greed for wealth is intolerable. Only because you are my brother have I endured this. Now, go your own way—I want nothing to do with Dvārakā, with you, or with these false oaths. Enough!” Though Kṛṣṇa tried to pacify him, Baladeva would not be appeased. Baladeva departed and entered the city of Videha. King Janaka welcomed him with the traditional offering of arghya, and Baladeva remained there. Vasudeva returned to Dvārakā. While Balabhadra stayed with King Janaka, Duryodhana, son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, came and learned the art of mace-fighting from him.