Syamantaka Mani

THE LIVING ARCHIVE

About Syamantaka Mani

Satrajit receives the jewel through his devotion to the sun god. Its brilliance causes the people of Dvaraka to mistake its wearer for Surya himself. The narrative credits the jewel with extraordinary abundance, but its possession does not protect its owners from jealousy or wrongdoing.

More About Syamantaka Mani

The Syamantaka jewel links Surya, Satrajit, Prasena, Jambavan and Krishna in a story of accusation and restitution.

AT A GLANCE

Identity & Context

Identity: Artifact
Form: Gem
Tradition: Epic / Puranic traditions

THE STORY

Origins & Stories

The Missing Hunter

Satrajit refuses Krishna’s request that the jewel be given to Ugrasena. His brother Prasena later wears it while hunting and is killed by a lion. Jambavan kills that lion and carries the gem to his cave for a child. When Prasena fails to return, suspicion falls on Krishna without knowledge of what has happened.

The Search and Jambavan’s Recognition

Krishna follows the trail to clear his name. He enters the cave and fights Jambavan, who at first does not recognize him. Recognition ends the conflict, and Jambavan presents both the jewel and his daughter Jambavati. Krishna returns with the evidence needed to answer the accusation.

A Second Crime

After Satrajit’s murder, Shatadhanva flees and leaves the gem with Akrura. Krishna’s pursuit ends Shatadhanva’s flight but does not immediately produce the jewel. Only when Akrura displays it can the remaining suspicions be dispelled. Krishna then allows the gem to remain in Akrura’s custody.

ROLE & ESSENCE

Attributes & Significance

The story repeatedly distinguishes recovering an object from repairing the mistrust surrounding it. Krishna first traces what happened to Prasena and returns with the jewel. Later he has to establish where it has gone after another killing. He does not make keeping the treasure himself the condition of resolving either dispute.

Object Class

Gem

Origin / Narrative Setting

Syamantaka narrative

Owner or Associated Figure

Surya; Satrajit; Krishna

Associated Deity

Surya; Satrajit; Krishna

Properties & Abilities

The Syamantaka jewel links Surya, Satrajit, Prasena, Jambavan and Krishna in a story of accusation and restitution.

Stories & Events

Syamantaka narrative

Tradition Notes

Names and accounts can vary by recension, region and commentary. This entry distinguishes attested details from identifications still requiring a passage-level source.

Archive Classification Notes

Original archive annotations are retained here. The current playable classification is shown in the side panel.

Tradition Dependence: High — compare the identified textual or regional account.
Previous Owners: Not established in the passage; no additional claim is made here.
Symbolic Significance: Not established in the passage; no additional claim is made here.
Traditional Location: No verified present-day custody asserted.
Editorial Rarity: Sacred archive — no claim of surviving physical possession.

TRADITION & MEANING

Traditions & Interpretations

The successive holders and intermediaries have different roles: Prasena wears it, a lion kills him, Jambavan retrieves it, and later events involve Satrajit, Shatadhanva and Akrura. Krishna’s recovery is distinct from the unsupported accusation that he stole it.

The sequence explains why suspicion returns even after the first recovery. A valuable gem passes through several hands, while observers lack knowledge of each transfer. Showing where it is and how it arrived there becomes essential to restoring confidence among the people involved.

Names and accounts can vary by recension, region and commentary. This entry distinguishes attested details from identifications still requiring a passage-level source.

From the Sacred Texts

Explore the sacred texts behind these stories in the Suvarnaveda library.

Bhagavata Purana

FOLLOW THE THREADS

Connected Cards

7 connected profiles. Every path leads to an original record.

Characters & Cosmic Entities7

Associated Deity · Divine DonorSuryaSolar deity whose identities overlap with Vivasvan and other solar names

Surya grants the jewel to Satrajit.

Associated With · Possesses Jewel · Original RecipientSatrajitYadava owner of the Syamantaka jewel and father of Satyabhama

Syamantaka is at the centre of his devotion and conflict.

Associated Deity · Recovery NarrativeKrishnaThe guide of Arjuna

Krishna’s investigations clear the false accusations.

Family JewelSatyabhamaKrishna's queen and Satrajit's daughter

The Syamantaka is central to her family’s history.

Recovers from Lion · Temporary KeeperJambavanBear-associated elder and adviser who encourages Hanuman

Syamantaka reaches Jambavan’s cave after Prasena’s death.

Wears on Final HuntPrasenaSatrajit's brother whose death begins the Syamantaka investigation

The Syamantaka jewel accompanies Prasena into the forest.

Later CustodianAkruraYadava elder and devotee who brings Krishna and Balarama toward Mathura

Akrura displays the jewel and is allowed to keep it safely.

THE LIVING ARCHIVE

About Syamantaka Mani

More About Syamantaka Mani

The Syamantaka jewel links Surya, Satrajit, Prasena, Jambavan and Krishna in a story of accusation and restitution.

AT A GLANCE

Identity & Context

Identity: Artifact
Form: Gem
Tradition: Epic / Puranic traditions

THE STORY