*SKANDHA X. CHAP. 57.*
Hearing that the Pandavas had been killed in the Lac-house, Rama and
Krishna went to Hastinapura to offer their condolences. Taking advantage
of their absence, Akrura and Kritavarman said to Satadhanu, -- "Satrajit
promised the Syamantaka jewel also when he made over his daughter to Sri
Krishna. Why shall not the jewel be taken from him? Why shall he not
share the fate of his brother?" The wicked Satadhanu under this evil
inspiration killed Satrajit while he was asleep and carried away the
jewel. Satyabhama went to Hastinapura and informed Krishna of the
killing of her father. The brothers came back to Dvaraka. Krishna made
preparations for killing Satadhanu and for recovering the jewel from
him. Satadhanu sought the help of Kritavarman. But he knew too well the
might of Sri Krishna and he declined to give any help. Satadhanu then
turned to Akrura. Akrura knew Krishna as Atman and he would not do
anything. Satadhanu however left the jewel with Akrura and fled away on
horse-back. Rama and Krishna followed him to Mithila. He left the horse
and ran away on foot. Sri Krishna overtook him soon and cut off his head
with the Chakra.
He then searched for the jewel, but could not find it. Turning to his
brother, he said, "For nothing have I killed Satadhanu. The jewel is not
with him." Rama replied -- "Satadhanu must have left the jewel with some
one. Try to find him out. Go back to Dvaraka. I shall in the meantime
pass some time with my friend, the king of Mithila." Rama remained at
Mithila for a few years. Duryodhana also came there. He learned the art
of fighting with the mall from Rama.
Sri Krishna went back to Dvaraka and told Satyabhama how he had killed
Satadhanu but could not find the jewel. Kritavarman and Akrura heard all
that took place and they fled for their lives from Dvaraka. In the
absence of Akrura the people of Dvaraka suffered from bodily and mental
pain as well as disturbances from the Devas and the elements. Those who
forgot the glory of Sri Krishna attributed all this to the absence of
Akrura. But it was not possible that such things should happen where Sri
Krishna resided (without His wish.)
"Once upon a time there were no rains at Kasi (Benares). The king of
Kasi offered his daughter Gandivi to Svafalka and it rained at Kasi.
Akrura is the son of that Svafalka. He has got the powers of his father.
It rains wherever Akrura lives and the land becomes free from epidemics
and calamities."
The old people talked thus. Sri Krishna knew it was not so. He sent for
Akrura, shewed him every respect, and smilingly addressed him thus: --
"O lord of giving (_Danapati_), Satadhanu must have left the Syamantaka
jewel with thee. I knew this from before. Satrajit left no son. His
daughter's son is therefore his true heir. But it is not so easy to keep
the jewel. Thou dost keep the observances well. So let it be with thee.
But in the matter of this jewel, even my brother does not believe me.
Therefore shew it once and give peace to your friends." Akrura made over
the jewel to Sri Krishna. He shewed it to his clansmen, in order to
remove the stain of suspicion against him. He then returned it to
Akrura.