Balarama, accepting Krishna’s request, remained seated in the chariot while Krishna pursued the fleeing Shatadhanvan. For about two kroshas, Krishna followed the path, and then, from a distance, he hurled his discus, severing Shatadhanvan’s head. Afterward, Krishna searched thoroughly—examining the body, the garments, and all belongings—but nowhere did he find the Syamantaka gem. Disappointed, he returned to Balarama and spoke, “In vain have we slain Shatadhanvan; we have not obtained the great Syamantaka jewel, which is said to be the very essence of the world.” Hearing this, Balarama’s anger flared. He rebuked Krishna, saying, “Shame on you! Your greed for wealth is unseemly. Only because you are my brother have I tolerated this. Now, go your own way as you wish—I want nothing to do with Dvaraka, with you, or with these false oaths made before me. Enough, enough!” Though Krishna tried to calm him, Balarama would not be appeased. He departed and entered the city of Videha. There, King Janaka welcomed Balarama into his palace with the traditional offering of arghya, and Balarama stayed on as his guest. Meanwhile, Krishna returned to Dvaraka. While Balarama resided in King Janaka’s house, Duryodhana, son of Dhritarashtra, came to him and learned the art of mace-fighting from the mighty Balabhadra. Three years passed in this manner. Then, Babhrū and the Yadavas, led by Ugrasena, realized that Krishna had not taken the Syamantaka jewel. They journeyed to Videha, persuaded Balarama to return, and brought him back to Dvaraka. During this time, Akrūra, ever immersed in meditation upon the Blessed Lord, performed unceasing sacrifices with the finest gold, which he obtained from the supreme jewel. The kshatriyas and vaishyas who attended these sacrifices were protected; any slayer of a brāhmaṇa would be destroyed if he approached, but Akrūra, shielded by consecration and the jewel’s power, remained safe. For sixty-two years, thanks to the Syamantaka, there was no calamity, famine, pestilence, or death in that land. But a change came when Śatrughna, great-grandson of Sātvata, was slain by the Bhojas, who were allied with Akrūra. After this, Akrūra and the Bhojas abandoned Dvaraka and departed. From the very day of their departure, calamities befell the city—famine, wild beasts, drought, pestilence, and other afflictions arose. Alarmed, the Yadavas gathered with Balabhadra and Ugrasena to deliberate. Krishna, beloved by all, addressed them: “What is this? Why have so many calamities come at once? Let us consider the cause.” At this, an elder of the Yadus, Āndhaka, spoke up. He recounted, “Wherever Akrūra’s father, Śvaphalka, was present, there was never famine, pestilence, drought, or the like. Once, during a drought, Śvaphalka was brought to the land of the king of Kāśī, and from that moment, the gods sent rain. At another time, the wife of the king of Kāśī bore a precious daughter, but even when her term was complete, the child did not emerge. Twelve years passed with the child still in the womb. The king spoke to his unborn daughter, ‘Why do you not come forth? I wish to see your face. Why do you trouble your mother so long?’ The child replied from the womb, ‘Father, if you give one cow each day to a brāhmaṇa, then within three more years I will be born.’ The king did so, and in that time, the daughter was born. He named her Gāndinī. When Śvaphalka came to their house and rendered assistance, the king gave Gāndinī to him in marriage, honoring him with hospitality. From Śvaphalka and Gāndinī, Akrūra was born, and from their union, further offspring were produced. Therefore, if we do not resolve this, how can we expect to be free from calamities such as famine and pestilence?” Hearing the words of the elder Āndhaka, the Yadavas agreed: “Let Akrūra be brought back; enough of seeking faults in one so virtuous.” Keśava (Krishna), Ugrasena, Balabhadra, and the other Yadus, tolerant even toward those who had erred, granted Akrūra safety and brought Śvaphalka’s son back to the city. As soon as Akrūra returned, the power of the Syamantaka jewel pacified all disturbances—drought, pestilence, famine, wild beasts, and more. Krishna reflected deeply: “It is a minor matter that Akrūra was born to Śvaphalka and Gāndinī, but the great power that wards off calamities such as drought, famine, and pestilence must surely be due to the presence of the Syamantaka jewel. Such powers are well attested. Moreover, Akrūra continues to perform sacrifice after sacrifice, without interruption.” Thus, the presence of Akrūra and the Syamantaka jewel brought peace and prosperity once again to Dvaraka.