Vasudeva, wise and measured in his words, counseled restraint, saying, “Birds who dwell in nests built by others do not harm the trees they rest upon. In the same way, let us not act rashly before all, nor speak in haste.” With these words, he departed for Dwaraka and spoke privately with Baladeva. Meanwhile, misfortune struck. Prasena, while hunting in the forest, was killed by a lion. Soon after, Satrajita too met his end, slain by Shatadhanva. With both men dead, Vasudeva reasoned that the coveted Syamantaka jewel should now belong equally to himself and Baladeva. He urged, “Rise, mount the chariot, and let us pursue Shatadhanva to bring him to justice.” Baladeva agreed, and together they began their search. As they made preparations, Shatadhanva, fearing for his life, approached Kritavarma and pleaded for assistance in his desperate flight. Kritavarma replied honestly, “I am not capable of opposing Baladeva and Vasudeva.” Shatadhanva then turned to Akrura for help. But Akrura, too, recognized the futility of standing against Krishna, the blessed one whose might made the three worlds tremble, who had vanquished the enemies of the gods, whose discus repelled all foes, whose gaze delighted the proud, whose sword destroyed the greatest adversaries, and who, with Satyabhama, was revered by all—even the foremost immortals. “If you desire another refuge, seek it elsewhere,” Akrura advised. Shatadhanva, seeing his allies unwilling, said to Akrura, “If you cannot protect me, at least take this jewel and keep it safe.” Akrura agreed, assuring him, “Even if you do not reveal it at the last moment, I will obtain that gem.” Thus, the precious Syamantaka jewel came into Akrura’s possession. Mounting a horse as swift as the wind, able to cover a hundred yojanas, Shatadhanva fled. Krishna and Baladeva pursued him in a chariot drawn by four noble horses—Shaivya, Sugriva, Meghapushpa, and Balāhaka. After racing a hundred yojanas, the horse collapsed and died in the Mithila forest. Shatadhanva abandoned the dead horse and continued on foot. Krishna then turned to Balabhadra and said, “Stay here with the chariot. I will pursue this wicked man on foot, as he has no horse now. In this land, the rulers are vigilant and fearful, so neither you nor I should cross this territory with our chariot.” Baladeva agreed and remained behind. Krishna pursued Shatadhanva for two kroshas on foot. When he caught up, he hurled his discus from a distance and severed Shatadhanva’s head. Krishna searched the body, clothes, and belongings thoroughly, but the Syamantaka jewel was nowhere to be found. He returned to Balabhadra and said, “In vain have we killed Shatadhanva; we have not obtained the great jewel, the Syamantaka, which is the essence of the whole world.” Hearing this, Baladeva’s anger flared. “Shame on you! Your greed for wealth is disgraceful. Only because you are my brother have I tolerated this. Now, go your own way as you wish. I want nothing to do with Dwaraka, with you, or with these false oaths. Enough!” Though Krishna tried to appease him, Baladeva would not be calmed. Baladeva departed and entered the city of Videha, where King Janaka welcomed him with the customary offering of arghya. There, Baladeva remained. Vasudeva, meanwhile, returned to Dwaraka. During Baladeva’s stay in King Janaka’s house, Duryodhana, son of Dhritarashtra, came and learned the art of mace-fighting from him. Three years passed. Then Babhrū and the Yādavas, led by Ugrasena, realizing that Krishna had not taken the jewel, journeyed to Videha, persuaded Baladeva, and brought him back to Dwaraka. Akrura, meanwhile, was absorbed in constant meditation on the Blessed Lord and performed unceasing sacrifices using the finest gold, all produced from the supreme jewel, the Syamantaka. Whenever the Kshatriyas and Vaishyas gathered at the sacrificial ground, the slayer of a Brahmana would be destroyed; thus, protected by consecration and its spiritual armor, Akrura remained there. For sixty-two years, thanks to the power of the Syamantaka jewel, there was no calamity, famine, pestilence, or death in that region. But when Shatrughna, the great-grandson of Sātvata, was slain by the Bhojas allied with Akrura’s faction, Akrura and the Bhojas left Dwaraka and departed. From the very day of their departure, calamities struck Dwaraka—famine, wild beasts, drought, pestilence, and other afflictions arose. The Yadavas, together with Balabhadra and Ugrasena, assembled to deliberate on these misfortunes. The Blessed Lord, beloved by all, addressed them: “What is this? Why have so many calamities come at once? Let us consider the cause.” At this, a Yadu elder named Āndhaka spoke. He recalled, “Wherever Akrura’s father, Śvaphalka, was present, there was never famine, pestilence, drought, or the like. When Śvaphalka was brought to the land of the king of Kāśī during a drought, from that very moment, the gods sent rain.” Thus unfolded the tale of the Syamantaka jewel, its keepers, and the blessings and trials it brought to the people of Dwaraka.