Krishna Presents the Jewel (Syamantaka Mani Legend, Part 6)

Krishna with Satyabhama
Photo Credit: India Netzone

Exiting the cave, Krishna noted that his faithful men had given up and gone home. In fact, they had left sixteen days prior, losing hope for their beloved leader, but unwilling to risk their lives to go in after him.

Upon their return to the city, Krishna’s family and friends were greatly distressed. They shunned Satrajit, calling him foul names, and then turned to worship Durga, the invincible warrior goddess, requesting his safe return. After nearly two more weeks, the city had lost hope.

When Krishna finally returned, the city celebrated as if he had risen from the dead. As the festivities came to a close, Krishna wasted no time in meeting with King Ugrasena, who called the nobles together, including Satrajit, for a special assembly.

Krishna was ready to tell the story of the lost jewel and return it to Satrajit. Ashamed by his quick assumptions and public accusations, Satrajit received the jewel from Krishna in silence, head hanging down.

Alone in his rooms, he pondered a way to atone for his actions and once again earn the favor of the Supreme Being. Krishna, same said Supreme Being, knowing of Satrajit’s turmoil, gifted him with wisdom and insight.

Satrajit’s conscience moved him to offer Krishna the stone and his daughter’s hand in marriage, despite promises he had made to the other suitors pursuing Satyabhama’s hand. Krishna noted Satyabhama’s gracefulness and received her as his wife, but the stone he refused to accept.

“I am pleased with your offering, Noble Satrajit. However, it is better to allow the Syamantaka to remain in the temple as you have kept it. Because of the jewel’s presence in the city of Dwarka, there will be no more famine or disturbances created by pestilence or excessive heat or cold.” {1}

NOTE {1}: Quotation abbreviated from an excerpt from Prabhupada, ch. 56.

Read Part 5

Read Part 7

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Prabhupada, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. Krsna: The Supreme Personality of Godhead. Juhu, Mumbai: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, 1974.
2. Hudli, Anand. "Ganesha chaturthi, legends, and prayers." Hindu-Net. September 16, 1996. Accessed July 2012. http://www.hindunet.org/srh_home/1996_9/msg00099.html.
3. History and Mythology Blog. "ACK-119: Syamantaka Mani." Posted April 27, 2009. Accessed July 2012. http://hmindia.blogspot.com/2009/04/ack-119-syamantaka-mani.html.
4. Srhi2424. "Syamantaka Mani." HubPages. Last modified July 16, 2011. Accessed July 2012. http://shri2424.hubpages.com/hub/Syamantaka-Mani.

*Clip art courtesy of The Graphics Fairy

Jambavan Fights Krishna (Syamantaka Mani Legend, Part 5)

Jambavan Fights Krishna
Photo Credit: History and Mythology

After making his way to the end of the dark tunnel, Krishna saw the small bear playing with the shiny gemstone. He stood before the boy and his nurse, preparing to ask after Jambavana’s whereabouts, when the boy and his nurse let out bloodcurdling screams. Jambavana, from somewhere deep in the cave, came rushing toward the sound, fury in his veins at the threat of an intruder.

Under normal circumstances, Jambavan would have recognized his Lord, Sri Krishna. However, he was blinded by fear and the powers of the Syamantaka, so he rushed toward Krishna with a steel sword.

After sparring for many days, Jambavan began hurling stones at Krishna. Krishna hurled back, again for many days. Soon enough, Jambavan turned to the trees for weapons. He began to swing their mighty trunks at Krishna, who blocked them with the trunks of other trees. After many days, they went hand to hand, Krishna firing blow after blow.

After almost twenty-eight days of fighting, Jambavan began to tire. As he grew faint, he began to wonder at who this mortal might be who could outlast him in a fight. He called for a truce at day twenty-eight and took a good look at his opponent. As his vision cleared, his senses returned.

“My dear Lord, I now see who you are. You are the same Supreme Personality of Godhead whom I worship as Lord Ramacandra, the source of my strength, wealth, reputation, and wisdom. No one else has such immeasurable strength; no one else could defeat me in this way.” {1}

Immediately, Krishna began applying salve from his lotus hand to Jambavana’s wounds. “You have been blinded by the stone. You are a faithful servant, and I release you from all harm.”

“Lord Krishna, please, take this stone from me. In repayment for my trespasses, I want to offer you my daughter Jambavati, who is of marriageable age. Will you accept these gifts as a token of my devotion to you?”

“I will gladly take your daughter to be my wife, but the stone I will return to its rightful owner, that I might clear my name from accusation in Dwarka. I will take my leave now. You have honored me well.”

NOTE {1}: Prabhupada, ch. 56.

Read Part 4

Read Part 6

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Prabhupada, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. Krsna: The Supreme Personality of Godhead. Juhu, Mumbai: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, 1974.
2. Hudli, Anand. "Ganesha chaturthi, legends, and prayers." Hindu-Net. September 16, 1996. Accessed July 2012. http://www.hindunet.org/srh_home/1996_9/msg00099.html.
3. History and Mythology Blog. "ACK-119: Syamantaka Mani." Posted April 27, 2009. Accessed July 2012. http://hmindia.blogspot.com/2009/04/ack-119-syamantaka-mani.html.
4. Srhi2424. "Syamantaka Mani." HubPages. Last modified July 16, 2011. Accessed July 2012. http://shri2424.hubpages.com/hub/Syamantaka-Mani.

*Clip art courtesy of The Graphics Fairy

Satrajit Accuses Krishna (Syamantaka Mani Legend, Part 4)

Krishna Seeks the Syamantaka
Photo Credit: Rkista

“Krishna! What have you done to my brother? Where is Syamantaka?”

“Satrajit, I see you are distressed. I have heard that your brother has not returned from the hunt. He must have met with trouble. I have neither seen him nor the stone.”

“I know you took it, Krishna. You lusted after it and decided you must steal it, since I would not let you have it.”

“No, Satrajit. I did not do that. I will get some of my best men together, and we will go and find your brother for you. I will show you that I did not steal it.”

Krishna set out with a search party and soon came upon the tree where Prasena and his horse lay mangled upon the hard earth. Though the stone was nowhere to be found, Krishna did take note of the lion tracks leading away from the tree.

He and his men followed the trail and soon found the lion’s maimed body. The lion’s body was slashed through by bear claws.

Krishna then set out for Jambavan’s cave, which was very near. Outside the entrance, Krishna warned his men of the danger. “I’ll go in alone. You wait here for me. No matter what, remain outside the cave. Jambavan knows me. I will be safe. But he does not know you. You will not be safe in there.”

Read Part 3

Read Part 5

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Prabhupada, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. Krsna: The Supreme Personality of Godhead. Juhu, Mumbai: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, 1974.
2. Hudli, Anand. "Ganesha chaturthi, legends, and prayers." Hindu-Net. September 16, 1996. Accessed July 2012.
3. History and Mythology Blog. "ACK-119: Syamantaka Mani." Posted April 27, 2009. Accessed July 2012. http://hmindia.blogspot.com/2009/04/ack-119-syamantaka-mani.html.
4. Srhi2424. "Syamantaka Mani." HubPages. Last modified July 16, 2011. Accessed July 2012. http://shri2424.hubpages.com/hub/Syamantaka-Mani.

*Clip art courtesy of The Graphics Fairy

Prasena Perishes (Syamantaka Mani Legend, Part 3)

Jambavan kills the lion and takes Syamantaka mani
Photo Credit: The Jewel of Auspiciousness

Soon after, Satrajit’s brother, Prasena, borrowed the gem to bring him favor and protection on a hunt in the wilderness. Wearing the stone around his collar, he set out on his noble steed in search of game.

Prasena left his horse to graze beneath a tree, which he climbed for a better view. He saw a lion approaching and took aim, only to suddenly find himself hanging from his neck by the necklace. A snake had fallen from an upper branch, surprising him and knocking him off balance, killing him in minutes.

The lion devoured Prasena and his horse. Captivated by the brilliance of light emanating from the gemstone, the lion clutched it between his teeth and carried it back toward his lair.

As the lion ambled down the path, Jambavan, King of the Bears, spotted the shiny treasure he carried in his mouth. Mesmerized by the stone, Jambavan ambushed the lion and killed him.

Jambavan picked up the stone and carried it back to his den, where he gave it to his son for a toy.
The day closed and night set in, and the townspeople began to wonder after Prasena.

“Where could he have gone? Something awful is sure to have happened.”

Word got back to Satrajit that his brother had not returned from the hunt, and Satrajit was suddenly overcome with suspicion. “He must have been cornered by Krishna for the stone. I shouldn’t have allowed him to go out with it so soon after Krishna’s lustful inquiry.”

Read Part 2

Read Part 4

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Prabhupada, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. Krsna: The Supreme Personality of Godhead. Juhu, Mumbai: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, 1974.
2. Hudli, Anand. "Ganesha chaturthi, legends, and prayers." Hindu-Net. September 16, 1996. Accessed July 2012. .
3. History and Mythology Blog. "ACK-119: Syamantaka Mani." Posted April 27, 2009. Accessed July 2012. http://hmindia.blogspot.com/2009/04/ack-119-syamantaka-mani.html.
4. Srhi2424. "Syamantaka Mani." HubPages. Last modified July 16, 2011. Accessed July 2012. http://shri2424.hubpages.com/hub/Syamantaka-Mani.

*Clip art courtesy of The Graphics Fairy

Krishna's Request (Syamantaka Mani Legend, Part 2)

Krishna's Town, Dwarka
Photo Credit: NTR Fanz-DB

Satrajit worshipped the gem faithfully, and he became a very wealthy man. Seeing the power of the stone, Krishna pondered the benefit that all of Dwarka might enjoy if Satrajit could be convinced to entrust the stone to him in the name of King Ugrasena. Krishna set a meeting with Satrajit and inquired of the stone.

“Would you consider allowing me to safeguard the gemstone so that the entire city might benefit from its powers?”

“Krishna, you know I am a fair man and that I love Dwarka and all of its residents. But I couldn’t possibly give you the stone. It was entrusted to me by Surya, and how would I be sure that it would be worshiped properly? In the wrong hands, the stone could cause misfortune.”

“Satrajit, you are a wise man. But you know that it would be safe in my care. I would see to it that it was worshiped properly in the king’s palace.”

“But I would not be able to worship it myself there.”

“No, that is true. You do not have access to the palace. But you would still benefit, as would the entire city. And I can ensure that the king would see to it that you were properly paid for your generous gift.”

“I just cannot part with the stone. It belongs to me and to my family.”

“Very well,” Krishna responded.

Begin with Part 1

Read on with Part 3

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Prabhupada, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. Krsna: The Supreme Personality of Godhead. Juhu, Mumbai: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, 1974.
2. Hudli, Anand. "Ganesha chaturthi, legends, and prayers." Hindu-Net. September 16, 1996. Accessed July 2012. http://www.hindunet.org/srh_home/1996_9/msg00099.html.
3. History and Mythology Blog. "ACK-119: Syamantaka Mani." Posted April 27, 2009. Accessed July 2012. http://hmindia.blogspot.com/2009/04/ack-119-syamantaka-mani.html.
4. Srhi2424. "Syamantaka Mani." ;HubPages. Last modified July 16, 2011. Accessed July 2012. http://shri2424.hubpages.com/hub/Syamantaka-Mani. 

*Clip art courtesy of The Graphics Fairy

Surya's Gift (Syamantaka Mani Legend, Part 1)

Koh-i-Nur (Koh-i-Noor) Diamond
Photo Source: FreeClassiAds

I have studied at length the Koh-i-Nur (Koh-i-Noor) diamond, hoping to illuminate its mysterious path to some degree for your enjoyment. I recently discovered that there is some speculation that the Mountain of Light is indeed the ancient Indian gemstone, the Syamantaka mani. While I will examine the origins of the Koh-i-Nur in a near-future post, I would first like to start out by telling you of this legendary first among the diamonds of Vedic legend. This will take several posts, so be sure to check back every other day for the entire story. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have. ~AMA

Surya, Sun God
Photo Credit: Sree Surya Bhagawan on Facebook

Surya's Gift
Satrajit went to the beach to meet with Surya, the sun god. His faithful service had gained him a special place of affection in the demi-god’s heart. On this particularly sunny day, Surya decided to reward Satrajit with a brilliant gemstone, the Syamantaka mani.

Overjoyed, Satrajit strung the gemstone around his neck, celebrated his good fortune, and set off for home. So brilliant were the ruby rays of the gemstone that they hid Satrajit’s face from view. When he returned to Dwarka, the townspeople believed Surya himself had decided to visit them.

Thrilled at the honor of the demi-god’s visit, Satrajit’s neighbors called out to Krishna, the Supreme One, who lived among them, “Shri Krishna! Noble Surya has come to call upon you. He wishes to meet with you.”

Krishna, wise beyond his human years, saw through the dazzling light shining from the gemstone pendant. “Fair men, that is not Surya. Rather, it is his faithful servant, Satrajit.”

Once home, Satrajit built an altar on which to worship the Syamantaka.

Surya had instructed Satrajit: “This gemstone will bring you great fortune. Where there is need, it will produce eight times its weight in gold per day. As long as you properly honor this gift, it will bring you wealth and good health. No tragedy shall befall you.”

Click here for Part 2

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Prabhupada, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. Krsna: The Supreme Personality of Godhead. Juhu, Mumbai: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, 1974.
2. Hudli, Anand. "Ganesha chaturthi, legends, and prayers." Hindu-Net. September 16, 1996. Accessed July 2012. http://www.hindunet.org/srh_home/1996_9/msg00099.html.
3. History and Mythology Blog. "ACK-119: Syamantaka Mani." Posted April 27, 2009. Accessed July 2012. http://hmindia.blogspot.com/2009/04/ack-119-syamantaka-mani.html.
4. Srhi2424. "Syamantaka Mani." HubPages. Last modified July 16, 2011. Accessed July 2012. http://shri2424.hubpages.com/hub/Syamantaka-Mani.

*Clip art courtesy of The Graphics Fairy

Prince Albert, Jewelry Designer

Queen Victoria displays the orange blossom parure
designed by Prince Albert
Photo Credit: The Victorian Peeper

Prince Albert was a brilliant man of many talents and interests. In addition to his keen interest in the monarchy, education, and social reform, the Prince Consort spent much of his personal time pursuing the arts. He studied architecture, art, fresco, photography, and jewelry. He was a talented jewelry designer and was fortunate enough to have some of the most celebrated design firms at his beck and call.

In addition to charm bracelets designed to commemorate the births of their children, Prince Albert also commissioned several tiaras with matching necklaces, brooches, and earrings (parures) as just-because gifts for his bride.

Most of his jeweled gifts he reserved for the sole purpose of surprising his wife, Queen Victoria. A pure romantic at heart, he truly was the man of her dreams. In a life filled with manipulation, treachery, and mistrust, Victoria’s short time with Albert renewed within her the belief that the world is a beautiful, romantic, and wonderful place.

I suppose some may argue that Don Juan takes the cake on romance, but I think anyone who can romance his wife the way Albert did wins in my book.

Who is your favorite romantic from the annals of history?

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Ray, Nandita. "Jewels of the British Monarchs Part 2." Jewel Info 4 U. Accessed July 6, 2012. http://www.jewelinfo4u.com/The_Jewels_Of_The_British_Monarchs_-_Victorian_Era.aspx.
2. Internet Stones. "Queen Victoria's Emerald and Diamond Tiara." Accessed July 6, 2012. http://www.internetstones.com/queen-victorias-emerald-and-diamond-tiara-designed-prince-albert.html.
3. Tiaratime's Blog. "7 Tiaras You Can't Afford (And 5 More You Can!)" November 3, 2009. Accessed July 6, 2012. http://tiaratime.wordpress.com/2009/11/03/7-tiaras-you-cant-afford-and-5-more-you-can/.
4. Nivision, Kate. "Crowning Glories: The Great Tiara Revival." Date and Publication Unknown. Accessed July 6, 2012. http://www.sales-travelfeatures.co.uk/features/tia198.pdf.
5. Blay, Pearl. "Queen Victoria's Jewels." The Beading Gem's Journal Blog. January 3, 2010. Accessed July 6, 2012. http://www.beadinggem.com/2010/01/queen-victorias-jewels.html.

*Clip art courtesy of The Graphics Fairy