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The Syamantaka jewel
It is said that anyone who looks at the moon on the night
of the Ganesh Chaturthi will be falsely charged with theft
or a similar crime. If someone inadvertently sees the moon
on this night, he/she may remedy the situation by listening
to (or reciting) the story of the syamantaka jewel. This story
may be found in the Puranas such as the Bhagavata and the
Vishnu. Briefly, Satrajit, who secured a jewel syamantaka
from Surya, did not part with it even when Krishna the Lord
of Dvaraka, asked for it saying it would be safe with Him.
Prasena, the brother of Satrajit went out hunting wearing
the jewel but was killed by a lion. Jambavan of Ramayana fame
killed the lion and gave it to his son to play with. When
Prasena did not return, Satrajit falsely accused Krishna of
killing Prasena for the sake of the jewel.
Krishna, in order to remove the stain on
His reputation, set out in search of the jewel and found it
in Jambavan's cave, with his child. Jambavan attacked Krishna
thinking Him to be an intruder who had come to take away the
jewel. They fought each other for 28 days, when Jambavan,
his whole body terribly weakened from the hammering of Krishna's
fists, finally recognised Him as Rama.
I now know You. You are the life in all
creatures, virility, grit and strength. You are Vishnu, the
Primeval Lord, All-prevailing, the Supreme Lord (of the worlds).
(Bhagavata 10.56.26)
He Who built a bridge (across the ocean)
that is a standing monument to His fame, set Lanka ablaze,
and with His arrows severed the heads of Rakshasas, which
fell to the ground. As repentance for his having fought Krishna,
Jambavan gave Krishna the jewel and also his daughter Jambavati
in marriage. Krishna returned to Dvaraka with Jambavati and
the jewel, and returned it Satrajit, who in turn repented
for his false accusation. He promptly offered to give Krishna
the jewel and his daughter Satyabhama in marriage. Krishna
accepted Satyabhama as His wife but did not accept the jewel.
In the event one is not even able to listen to or read the
story, the following mantra may be recited holding some water
in the palm of the right hand. The water is then to be sipped.
A lion killed Prasena; the lion was killed
by Jambavan. Don't cry, O dear child! This syamantaka jewel
is yours.
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