CHAPTER XXXVIII. AN ACCOUNT OF SWYAMANTAKA JEWEL.
Vaishampayana said:—Bhajamāna's son was Viduratha, the foremost of car-warriors. The heroic Rajādhideva was Viduratha's son (1). Rājādhideva had a number of highly powerful sons, namely the powerful Datta, Atidatta, Shonaswa, Swetavāhana, Shami, Dandasharmā, Dattashatru and Shatrujit. They had two sisters by name Shravana and Shravishtha (2–3). Shami's son was Pratikshtra whose son was Swayamboja and whose son was Hridika (4). His sons were of dreadful prowess. Of them Kritavarmā was the eldest and Shatadhanwā was the second (5). The celestial saint Chyāvana begat for him four sons and two daughters. The sons were Vishak, Vaitarana, Suvāntā and Adhidānta. The daughters were Kamadā and Kāmadantika (6). Kamvalavarhisha had a learned son named Devavān who had three sons namely Asamouja, Veera and Nāsamoujā (7). Asamouja had no issue and therefore Andhaka conferred on him his three sons namely Sudangstra, Suvāhu and Krishna (8). These and various others members of the Andhaka family have been described to you. He, who daily meditates upon Andhaka family, forsooth gets his family multiplied. Krousthu had two wives, Gāndhāri and Mādri (9-10). Gandhāri gave birth to the highly powerful Anamitra and Mādri gave birth to Yudhājit and Devamidusha (11). Anamitra was ever irrepressible and subduer of his enemies. His son was Nighna who had two sons Prasena and Satrājit both of whom were subduers of hostile armies. Living in the city of Dwarkā Prasena obtained from the ocean the peerless celestial jewel called Swyamantaka. The sun was his friend as valuable as his life (12–14). Once on a time after the expiration of the night that foremost of car-warriors, ascending his chariot, went to the bank of the ocean for bathing and worshipping the sun (15). When he worshipped the god of rays the invisible lord Vivaswan appeared in effulgence before him (16). Thereupon the king said to the Lord Vibhakara before him—"O lord of rays, I see thee although before me in thy same circular effulgent form as I always behold thee in the sky. Thou hast appeared before me as a friend but what special favour have I got (17-18)?" Hearing this, the lord took out from his neck the peerless jewel Swyamantaka and gave it to him (19). Thereupon the king saw him in his form. Seeing him he was pleased and conversed with him for a moment (20). While Vivaswān was about to go away the king again said to him:—"O lord, it behoveth thee to confer upon me this jewel with which thou dost always light the worlds" (21). Thereupon Bhāskara gave him the jewel Swyamantaka. Holding it the king entered his own city (22). All the people followed him thinking that the sun was going. Filling all the citizens with wonder the king entered the inner appartment (23). The king Satrajit, with great delight, conferred that peerless celestial jewel Swyamantaka on his brother Prasena (24). That jewel used to produce gold in the palace of Vrishnis and Andhakas. (By its power) the god of rains used to pour shower in due season and there was no fear of disease (25). Govinda grew desirous of acquiring that peerless jewel Swyamantaka from Prasena. Although capable he did not take it by force or pilfer it (26). Once on a time adorned with that jewel Prasena went out a-hunting. He was, for that Swyamantaka, slain by a wild lion (27). Killing that flying lion a highly powerful bear took that jewel and entered into his den (28).
Hearing of the death of Prasena, all the members of Vrishni and Andhaka families entertained suspicions against Krishna, because they knew that he had a fancy for that jewel (29). Knowing their suspicion and thinking that he himself was innocent the virtuous-souled Krishna, resolving "I must bring the jewel" set out for the forest where Prasena went for hunting. Following his foot-seps along with his followers and ransacking the mountains Rikshavan and Vindhya the great Krishna was stricken with fatigue. He then saw Prasena and his horse killed there but did not find the jewel. He then saw near Prasena the lion killed by the bear. It was surmised by the footsteps. Following them he searched for the den of the running bear (30–34). He heard the voice of a female in the huge den of that bear. A nurse was giving play with that jewel to Jamvavān’s son and saying "Do not weep" (35).
The nurse said:—"The lion killed Prasena and he has been killed by Jamvavān. Therefore, O my good boy, do not weep. This Swyamantaka belongs to you (36)".
Thereupon keeping all the Yadavas with Baladeva at the mouth of the den and displaying a beautiful form and voice Krishna, with Sharnga bow, silently entered into it. And having entered there by force the Lord beheld the bear (37–38), Govinda wrestled with Jāmvavān in that den for twenty-one days (39). After Krishna had entered the den all the Yādavas, headed by Baladeva, returned to Dwarkā and announced that he had been slain (40).
Having vanquished the highly powerful Jāmvavan he married the most beloved daughter of the king of bears by name Jamvavati and took away the jewel for clearing himself (of the charge) (41). Then saluting the king of Rikshas he came out of the den. Enveloped with great beauty, he, afterwards, returned to the city of Dwarkā (42). Having thus brought the jewel and cleared himself of the charge he handed over Swyamantaka to Satrajit in an assembly of the Sātwatas (43). Having thus acquired the jewel Swyamantaka Krishna, the slayer of enemies, who had been accused of a false charge, cleared himself of the guilt (44). Satrajit had ten wives who gave birth to a hundred sons. Of them three were well-known. Bhangakara was the eldest, the heroic Bātapati was the second, and Viyatsnāta was the third. O king, he had three daughters well-known in all the quarters (45–46). They were Satyabhāmā, the most excellent of women, Bratini, of firm vows and Praswāpini. Sātrajit married them all with Krishna (47). Bhangakara had two sons, the foremost of men, Sabhāksha and Nāreya. Both of them were accomplished, and well-known for their beauty (48). Madri's son Yudhajit had a son by name Vrishni. He had two sons, Shaphalkā and Chitraka (49). Shaphalka married the daughter of the King of Kashi. Her name was Gāndini and her father used to give away a cow every day(50). She gave birth to the great Akrura who was fond of guests and performed sacrifices accompanied with profuse gifts, Upasanja, Mangu, Mridura, Arimejaya, Girikshipa, Upiksha, Shatruhā, Arimardana, Dharmabhrit, Yatidharmā, Gridhra, Bhoja, Andhaka, Suvahu and Prativāhu and to a beautiful daughter by name Sundari. That beautiful girl was the queen of Virutashwa, was endued with beauty and youth and was charming unto all (51-54). O descendant of Kuru, Akrura begat on Ugraseni two sons, Sudeva and Upadeva, who were both powerful like the celestials (55). Chitraka had many sons, namely, Prithu, Viprithu, Aswagriva, Ashwavāhu, Supārshwa, Gaveshi, Aristhnemi, Aswa, Sudharmā, Dharmabhrit, Suvāhu and Vahuvāhu and two daughters by name Shravishthā and Shravanā. He, who reads of this false accusation against Srikrishna, suffers from no such thing in his life (56–58).
CHAPTER XXXIX. AN ACCOUNT OF AKRURA.
Vaishampayana said:—Akrura had that peerless jewel which Krishna conferred on Satrājit, stolen by Shatadhanwā (1). Akrura always wished to have the beautiful Satyabhāmā.[70] As soon as he got an opportunity he desired to possess that valuable jewel (2). Thereupon, having slain Satrājit at the dead of night the highly powerful Shatadhanwā took away the jewel and made a present of it to Akrura (3). Taking that jewel he made Shatadhanwā promise that he would never give out that the jewel was in his (Akrura's) possession (4). (He said):—"If Krishna attacks you I shall follow you. Forsooth the whole of Dwarkā is now under my control (5)." On her father (Satrājit) being slain the illustrious Satyabhāmā, stricken with grief, got on a chariot and repaired to the city of Barawāvata (6). She then communicated to her husband what had been perpetrated by Shatadhanwa of the Bhoja race. Then stricken with grief and standing by his side she began shedding tears (7). Having performed the watering ceremony of the Pāndavas burnt in the house of lac[71] Krishna engaged Satwaki to perform their obsequial rites (8).
Thereupon hurrying on to the city of Dwarkā the graceful slayer of Madhu[72] said to his elder brother Haladhar[73] (9) "Prasena has been killed by a lion and Satrājit has been slain by Shatadhanwā. Therefore I am the master of the jewel Sywamantaka (10). Therefore speedily get on your car, O mighty armed hero. After slaying the highly powerful Bhoja Swyamataka will be ours (11)". Thereupon there arose a terrible encounter between Krishna and Shatadhanwā The latter saw Akrura on all sides (12). Thereupon beholding both Krishna and Shatadhanwā enraged Akrura, though capable, out of wickedness did not help the son of Hridika (13). Thereat stricken with fear Shatadhanwā took to his heels. With one mare he travelled over a distance of more than a hundred Yojanas[74] (14). O king, Shatadanwa, of the Bhoja race, had a mare that could go over a distance of a hundred Yojanas, by name Vijnātāhridayā. With her he fought with Krishna (15). Having travelled over a distance of a hundred Yojanas Shatadhanwa found her motionless and seeing the increased motion of the car he left her off (16). Thereupon, O descendant of Bharata, on account of the exhaustion and misery of that mare all his vital breaths went up to the sky. Then Krishna said to Rāma. (17). "Wait here, O you of large arms. I have seen the wretched plight of the mare. Going on foot I shall carry away the jewel Swyamantaka (18)". Thereupon, O king, going on foot, Achyuta (Krishna), highly skilled in the use of arms, killed Shatadhanwa on the way to Mithila (19). Having slain the highly powerful Bhoja king he did not see Swyamantaka. And seeing Krishna return Balarāma said to him "Give me the jewel" (20).
Krishna said:—"I have not got it." Thereat Rama was filled with anger. Repeatedly exclaiming "Fie on you, Fie on you," he replied to Janarddana (21). "I forgive you because you are my brother. May you farewell. I go away. I have nothing to do with you or other Vrishnis of Dwarkā (22)." Thereupon Rāma, the subduer of enemies, entered the city of Mithilā. He was then honored with all becoming presents after his heart by the king of Mithilā (23). In the interval the most intelligent Vabhru began to collect various articles for the performance of sacrifices (24). The highly illustrious son of Gāndini, on account of the jewel Swyamantaka, entered into the initiation-like coat of mail[75] for protecting himself (25). He devoted most excellent jewels and various other articles to the performance of sacrifices for sixty thousand years (25). That sacrifice, of the high-souled Akrura consisting of food and various presents, was called the Akrura Yajna (27). Thereupon repairing to the city of Mithilā the king Duryodhana received from Balabhadra the most excellent instructions in the use of clubs (28). Thereupon propitiating Balarāma all the mighty car warriors of the Vrishni race and the high-souled Krishna brought him back to the city of Dwarkā (29). Then the foremost of men Akrura, with Andhakas, left Dwarkā. Slaying the highly powerful Satrājit in battle with all his friends Krishna, in feat of dissension amongst his kinsmen, neglected him (Akrura). After the departure of Akrura Pākashasana[76] did not pour rain (30–31). When the whole country was devastated by draught the Kukuras and Andhakas began to propitiate Akrura (32). When the liberal Akrura returned to Dwarkā the thousand-eyed Indra began to discharge showers on the bank of the ocean (33). O foremost of Kurus, in order to please Krishna the intelligent Akrura gave him in marriage his sister Sushilā (34). Guessing by his riches and liberality that Swyamantaka was with Akrura, Janarddana said to him in the midst of an assembly "O lord, the jewel is in thy possession. Do thou give it to me. O giver of honors; do not cheat me. O sinless one, the anger, that possessed me sixty years before, is now enkindled all on a sudden. A long time has elapsed. Give me the Jewel therefore (35–37)."