A nobleman of Dwarka, Satrajit, was a devotee of Surya, the Sun-god. Pleased with Satrajit’s devotion, Surya gifted him the Syamantak gem. This gem could magically produce eight measures of gold a day. Thus, Satrajit suddenly became a very wealthy man.
Lord Krishna approached Satrajit and asked him to share the gem with the other people of Dwarka and give it to His grandfather, King Ugrasena. However, Satrajit said, “No, this jewel does not belong to anyone else.”
“Keep it safely, Satrajit! This gem also has the power to wipe out all sorrow and destruction!” warned Krishna.
A few days later, Satrajit’s brother Prasena wore the gem in a necklace and went out on a hunt. While he climbed up a tree and waited for a game, a lion came by. Startled by this, Prasena fell from the tree and was killed instantly.
However, the necklace with the Syamantak gem became caught in one of the low branches.
The lion that had killed Prasena was attracted to the glow of the Syamantak gem. As the lion was walking away with the gem, Jambavan, the king of the bears, saw him. He killed the lion and took the Syamantak gem to his cave as a gift to his son. When Prasena did not return to Dwarka, Satrajit said, “Lord Krishna must have killed my brother, Prasena, for the Syamantak gem.” To prove His innocence, Lord Krishna gathered a search party and went into the forest.
When they found Prasena’s body, Krishna noticed the lion’s tracks around the body. When they followed the lion’s tracks, they found the body of the dead lion.
Krishna noticed the marks of a bear’s claws and its tracks around the lion’s body. When they followed the bear’s tracks, Krishna reached Jambavan’s cave. Krishna ordered the search party to stay outside and He Himself entered the cave alone.
Lord Krishna found Jambavan’s son playing with the Syamantak gem inside the cave. Seeing Krishna, Jambavan’s son let out a wail that alerted Jambavan. Jambavan thought Krishna was attacking his son and fought against Krishna. This fierce fight lasted for twenty-eight days!
Finally, Krishna appeared as Lord Ram. Jambavan then immediately recognised Him and fell at His feet. He was a devotee of Lord Ram and had helped him fight against Ravana. Along with the Syamantak gem, Jambavan offered his daughter, Jambavati’s hand in marriage and Lord Krishna accepted. Krishna returned to Dwarka with the Syamantak gem and His new bride. He returned the gem to its rightful owner, Satrajit, who was ashamed of accusing Krishna.
Satrajit offered his daughter, Satyabhama, in marriage. But Satyabhama had three suitors–Akrura, Kritavarma and Shatadhanwa. They were furious that Satrajit had married Satyabhama to Krishna and not to any of them.
The existence of the Syamantak gem spread like wildfire. A lot of people desired to own the gem. One of Satyabhama’s suitors, Shatadhanwa, also wanted to own the gem. He was also angry that Satrajit had married Satyabhama to Lord Krishna.
So, one night, Shatadhanwa broke into Satrajit’s chamber to steal the Syamantak gem. When Satrajit protested, Shatadhanwa killed him and stole the gem. On realizing what he had done, Shatadhanwa left the gem with Akrura and fled from Dwarka. Lord Krishna and Balarama learnt about this and killed Shatadhanwa for his crime. Not finding the Syamantak gem with Shatadhanwa, Lord Krishna understood that he must have left it with Akrura for safekeeping.
Lord Krishna called a meeting at His court and asked Akrura to show the Syamantak gem. Everybody was startled to hear Akrura’s name. Lord Krishna knew that His uncle too was part of this wrong deed. Akrura fell at Krishna’s feet, and asked for forgiveness. Thus, Krishna’s name was cleared.
Lord Krishna’s third wife, Satyabhama, was known for her strong will and tantrums. She had suffered a lot in her previous life. After her death, she had sought shelter in Lord Vishnu’s celestial abode or Vaikunth. While she was there, she tirelessly served Lord Vishnu. He was so pleased with her services that He promised that she would be one of His wives in His next incarnation.
Therefore, Lord Krishna married Satyabhama and ensured to keep her happy always. He did this by doing whatever she wished, regardless of the wish. In fact, Satyabhama’s fighting spirit and arguments entertained Lord Krishna immensely. She was gifted with archery and could give match to Lord Krishna.
When Satyabhama saw Narakasur attacking Lord Krishna, she was furious. She doubled her strength and attacked Lord him. Before his death, Narakasur requested a boon from Satyabhama that everyone should celebrate his death with colourful lights. Accordingly, this day is celebrated as the first day of Diwali or Naraka Chaturdashi.
