Satrajit

In Hinduism, Satrajit is a Yadava king and the father of the goddess Satyabhama, Krishna's third wife. He is described a great devotee of Surya, the Sun god. He is known for his role in the story of Syamantaka gem.[1][2]

For the actor, see Satrajit Sen.
Satrajit
Satrajit offering Satyabhama to Krishna
In-universe information
FamilyNighna (father)
Prasena (brother)
ChildrenSatyabhama
TextsBhagavad Purana, Harivamsa
DynastyYadava

Gaining the Syamantaka gem

Satrajit was a great devotee of the lord Surya. He performed several offerings to him. One day, Satrajit was walking on a seashore. Suddenly Surya appeared before him and told him that he was pleased with his devotion and gave him a gift. The gift was a radiant gem called Syamantaka. He told him that the gem would bring fortune and safety to his kingdom and provide him with wealth. Satrajit was delighted and went to his kingdom with the gem on his neck. He was shining like the sun god himself. People thought him to be the god. During a meeting, Krishna asked Satrajit to let Ugrasena borrow the gem as his kingdom was suffering from calamities and poverty. Satrajit refused and went back to his palace.[3]

Disappearance of the Gem

One day, Satrajit's brother, Prasena, borrowed the gem from Satrajit and went into a forest for hunting. However, a lion killed him and took the gem in its mouth and went inside a cave. The cave was of Jambavan, the immortal king of bears who played an important role in the Ramayana. Jambavan killed the lion and took the gem. Many days passed, Satrajit suspected that his brother must have been killed for the gem. He remembered Krishna's words during the meeting and he accused Krishna to be a thief. The rumour spread far and wide. Krishna, wanting to prove his innocence, started to investigate.[4]

Recovery and marriage of Satyabhama

Krishna while investigating, found Satrajit's brother's dead body. Later he reached the cave of Jambavan. Krishna asked Jambavan to return the gem but Jambavan refused and challenged the lord to a fight. They fought for many days and Jambavan finally realized that Krishna was Rama's reincarnation. He asked for forgiveness from Krishna and offered the gem with his beautiful daughter Jambavati. Krishna accepted them and went to Satrajit. Krishna returned the gem to Satrajit, proving his accusations wrong. After Krishna left, Satrajit was ashamed of his act and started to think of a way to ask forgiveness from Krishna.

Satrajit got an idea and offered the gem along with his beautiful and powerful daughter Satyabhama. Krishna accepted Satyabhama as she was the future killer of Narakasura. But he refused to take the gem and went to Dwarka with his new wife.[5]

Death

Kritavarma, Akrura and Satadhanwa were three Yadava warriors. They were captivated by the gem's glory and wanted it for themselves. One night when Satrajit was sleeping, they killed him and took the gem. Krishna and Balrama later avenged Satrajit's death by killing Satadhanwa.[6]

Reference
  1. The Syamantaka gem. Amar Chitra Katha Private Limited. April 1971. ISBN 8189999648.
  2. Mani, Vettam (1975). Puranic encyclopaedia : a comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature. Robarts - University of Toronto. Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass. p. 701.
  3. "Krishna and the Syamantaka Gem". Indiaparenting.com. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
  4. "Jambavan and the Story of the Syamantaka Jewel". www.harekrsna.de. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
  5. www.wisdomlib.org (2013-05-25). "The Jewel Syamantaka". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2020-08-28.
  6. "PrabhupadaBooks.com Srila Prabhupada's Original Books". prabhupadabooks.com. Retrieved 2020-08-28.
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