The Syamantaka Jewel

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Dear All,

 

Om

GAJANANAM BHOOTGANADHISEVITAM KAPITTHYA JAMBOO PHALCHARU BHAKSHANAM

UMASUTAM SHOKVINASHKARAKAM NAMAMI VIGHNESHWAR PADPANKAJAM

Om

 

It is said that anyone who looks at the moon on the night of the

Ganesh Chaturthi will be falsely charged with theft or a similar

crime. If someone inadvertently sees the moon on this night, he/she

may remedy the situation by listening to (or reciting) the story of

the syamantaka jewel. This story may be found in the Puranas such as

the Bhagavata and the Vishnu.

 

Briefly, Satrajit, who secured a jewel syamantaka from Surya, did not

part with it even when Krishna the Lord of Dvaraka, asked for it

saying it would be safe with Him. Prasena, the brother of Satrajit

went out hunting wearing the jewel but was killed by a lion. Jambavan

of Ramayana fame killed the lion and gave it to his son to play with.

When Prasena did not return, Satrajit falsely accused Krishna of

killing Prasena for the sake of the jewel.

 

Krishna, in order to remove the stain on His reputation, set out in

search of the jewel and found it in Jambavan's cave, with his child.

Jambavan attacked Krishna thinking Him to be an intruder who had come

to take away the jewel. They fought each other for 28 days, when

Jambavan, his whole body terribly weakened from the hammering of

Krishna's fists, finally recognised Him as Rama.

 

As repentance for his having fought Krishna, Jambavan gave Krishna

the jewel and also his daughter Jambavati in marriage. Krishna

returned to Dvaraka with Jambavati and the jewel, and returned it

Satrajit, who in turn repented for his false accusation. He promptly

offered to give Krishna the jewel and his daughter Satyabhama in

marriage. Krishna accepted Satyabhama as His wife but did not accept

the jewel.

 

Gaurav