Chapter 15 - Akrūra obtains Syamantaka

Lomaharṣaṇa said:

1. Babhru Akrūra got the excellent jewel Syamantaka which Kṛṣṇa had handed over to Satrājit, stolen through Śatadhanvan of the Bhoja family.

2. Akrūra had sought Satyabhāmā, the uncensured lady. He was waiting for an opportunity to seize Syamantaka jewel.

3. The mighty Śatadhanvā killed Satrājit at night, took away the jewel and handed it over to Akrūra.

4-5. O brahmins, Akrūra took the excellent jewel and contracted alliance with Śatadhanvan—“I should not be exposed by you. If you are attacked by Kṛṣṇa we will come to your support. Undoubtedly the whole of Dvārakā abides by me today.”

6-7. When her father was killed, Satyabhāmā became extremely dejected. She rode in her chariot to the city of Vāraṇāvata and informed her husband (Kṛṣṇa) of what had been committed by Śatadhanvan of the Bhoja family. After intimating everything to her husband, the aggrieved lady shed profuse tears.

8. After performing the obsequies and offering libations of water to the Pāṇḍavas who were (supposed to have been) burned, Hari engaged Sātyaki for the condolence rites for the Pāṇḍavas.

9. Śrīkṛṣṇa then, hastened to Dvārakā and spoke to Balarāma, his elder brother.

Śrīkṛṣṇa said:

10-11. Prasena was killed by the lion, Satrājit by Śatadhanvan. Syamantaka must come to me. O lord, I am its owner. Hence, O mighty one, get into the chariot quickly. After killing the mighty Bhoja we shall take possession of Syamantaka.

Lomaharṣaṇa said:

12-19. Then a tremendous battle took place between Bhoja and Kṛṣṇa. Śatadhanvan searched for Akrūra all round.

On seeing Bhoja and Śrīkṛṣṇa engaged in a duel, Akrūra, though capable did not show sympathy on account of a curse (?). The frightened Bhoja resolved to run away on Hṛdayā (his mare) who raced a hundred and odd Yojanas. She was known to be capable of running a hundred Yojanas at a stretch, O brahmins, it was the mare he rode when he fought with Śrī Kṛṣṇa. After he had covered a hundred Yojanas he found Hṛdayā exhausted. She was killed. The vital airs went up due to fatigue and misery. Kṛṣṇa said to Rāma.

Śrīkṛṣṇa said:

“O mighty one, stay here. I have detected some defects in the horse. I shall go on foot and seize the excellent jewel Syamantaka.” O Brahmins, Śrīkṛṣṇa who was fully conversant with the excellent missiles went on foot and at the outskirts of Mithilā he killed Śatadhanvan.

20-21. But he did not find the Syamantaka jewel on his person. Rāma said to him when he returned after killing the mighty Bhoja “Give me the jewel.” Kṛṣṇa said—“It is not with me.” Then Rāma became furious, rebuked him vigorously uttering “Fie on you, fie on you” and spoke thus.

Balarāma said:

22. “I excuse you because you happen to be my brother. Goodbye I am going to leave you for ever. I have nothing to do with you, nor with Dvārakā, nor with the Vṛṣṇis”.

23. Then Rāma, the suppressor of foes, entered Mithilā where he was honoured by the king with coveted gifts.

24. In the meantime Babhru Akrūra the most excellent one among the intelligent persons performed many sacrifices unrestrictedly.

25. For obtaining Syamantaka, the excessively famous son of Gāndin donned the coat of mail in the form of initiation as a protective means.

26. For sixty years the virtuous soul displayed jewels and other precious stones in the sacrifice alone.

27. The sacrifices of that noble sou] are known as Akrūrayajñas. Dainty food and monetary gifts were distributed in all of them. Whatever was sought by a person was given to him.

28. It was then that lord Duryodhana went to Mithilā and received training from Balarama in the exercise of divine missiles.

29. Later on, Rāma was appeased by Vṛṣṇi leaders and Andhakas as well as by the noble Kṛṣṇa who brought him back to Dvārakā.

30-34. After getting Satrājit killed while he was asleep along with his kinsmen, Akrūra of great might, the leader of men, had also left Dvārakā. He too was persuaded to return along with the Andhakas. Kṛṣṇa condoned his guilt because he was afraid of creating split amongst his own people.

After the departure of Akrūra there had been no shower in that realm. Due to drought the land had become lean. Then the Kukuras and Andhakas appeased and propitiated Akrūra. When that lord of charitable gifts re-entered Dvāravatī the thousand-eyed lord (Indra) rained profusely over the Kakṣa region.

O excellent sages, as a token of affection the intelligent Akrūra gave to Śrīkṛṣṇa his sister of approved conduct in marriage.

35. Then, by his Yogic power Kṛṣṇa understood that the jewel was with Babhru Akrūra. In the open assembly Śrīkṛṣṇa said to Akrūra.

Śrīkṛṣṇa said:

36-37. O lord worthy of honour, hand back that excellent jewel which is in your possession. Do not commit anything ignoble. O sinless one, the fury that has been surging within me for the last sixty years has grown terribly. Much time has elapsed. It brooks no further delay.

38-40. Then, at the instance of Kṛṣṇa, Babhru handed over the jewel without a strain in the assembly of Sātvatas.

Kṛṣṇa, the suppressor of foes, was delighted in his mind when the jewel was secured by straightforward means from Babhru. But he returned it to Babhru.

Tying the excellent jewel Syamantaka round his neck after it had been handed over to him by Kṛṣṇa the son of Gāndinī shone on earth as the sun shines in the sky.