Syamantaka Diamond : A Story from Vishnu Purana and Bhagavata

Lord Krishna with Syamantaka Diamond

It is believed that the Kohinoor diamond is one of the oldest and most famous diamonds in the world. The history of the Kohinoor goes back in history to more than 5000 years ago. The current name of the diamond, Koh-i-noor which means the “Mountain of Light”. It is believed that the diamond was first mentioned more than 5000 years ago in a Sanskrit script, where it was called the Syamantaka.

It is said that Syamantaka and the Kohinoor are the same diamond. 

The story behind Syamantaka

The story begins from a man named Ugra who had two sons whose names are Satrajit and Prasenjit (Prasena). It is said that Satrajit is a faithful worshiper of the sun god. The sun god was pleased with him and gifted him the Symantaka diamond. Satrajit used to wear the diamond around his neck. When he entered the beautiful City of Dwarka built by Lord Krishna himself, everyone was surprised to see the diamond gift. It was as beautiful and dazzling like the sun. Satrajit did not part with the diamond even when Lord Krishna asked for the diamond saying that it would be safe with him. Bad time for Prasena the brother of Satrajit who wore the diamond when he went out for hunting, eventually he was killed by a lion. A tribal group known as the Jambhavans, bear people as they wore bear symbol killed the lion and gave the diamond to his son to play with. Conflict arise between Satrajit and Lord Krishna as Prasena did not return to Dwarka. Thus, Satrajit started to suspect that Lord Krishna might have killed Prasena in order to attain the diamond. 

Fight between Lord Krishna and Jambavan

Lord Krishna gathered search team and went into the forest just to prove his innocence. A few hours later, Lord Krishna found Prasena's body. He found lion tracks around the body and assumed that the lion must have killed Prasena. Following the lion tracks, they have found the body of the dead lion with bear's claws and bear tracks around the body. Lord Krishna followed the bear tracks and finally reached Jambavan's cave. He went inside the cave alone leaving the others behind. Jambavan attacked Lord Krishna thinking he is an intruder who came to take away the diamond. They fought for 28 days and Jambavan's body was terribly weakened from hammering of Lord Krishna's fists, recognized him as Lord Rama who is fame of Ramayana. 

As repentance for his battle with Lord Krishna, Jambavan gave Lord Krishna the diamond and his daughter, Jambavati in marriage. Lord Krishna returned to Dwarka with his wife, Jambavati and the diamond; he return it to Satrajit. Satrajit felt ashamed for casting false aspersions on Lord Krishna. Thus, he offered his daughter, Satyabama to him as his wife.

Lord Krishna and Balram

The story of Symantaka diamond did not end here. Once Lord Krishna went out for long tour. Satadhanwan and Akrur were two brothers. They were extremely jealous with Satrajit believed it is due to Satyabama's marriage. Satadhanwan killed Satrajit and snatched the Symantaka diamond. After Lord Krishna came back home, Satyabama told the whole story. Satadhanwan passed the diamond to his brother Arkur and asked him to proceed on a long pilgrimage. Lord Krishna and Balram misunderstood that the diamond was with Satadhanwan. Lord Krishna killed Satadhanwan and looked for the diamond. But it was nowhere found. Balram suspected Lord Krishna's act, he thought that he is greedy and sinner as he had killed innocent man only for the sake of the diamond. Thus, he left Lord Krishna alone and went his own way. When Lord Krishna came back to Dwarka alone, people became suspicious again. They gossiped saying that Lord Krishna exiled Balram only for the sake of the diamond. Hearing these rumors which spread like wild fire around Dwarka, Lord Krishna felt dismayed and sad. 

Narada visits Lord Krishna in Dwarka

Incidently, Narada visited Dwarka and he found Lord Krishna was sad. He asked him for his anxiety and Lord Krishna said, " Respected Narada, people casts aspersions on me. Can I ever steal? Can I ever tell a lie? Am I a man subject to suspicion? I do not know what curse had befallen me. Kindly help and guide me". Narada smiled and said, "You have seen the moon on the fourth day of the bright half of the lunar month, Bhadrapada. Looking at the moon on that day is forbidden". "How is it? People see, appreciate and bow before the moon on the second day of the bright half of the lunar month. Why are they forbidden for looking at it on the fourth day?" asked Lord Krishna. Narada said,"Lord Ganesh, cursed the moon on that day. Anyone who sees moon on that day gets the curse. So a curse has befallen you". Lord Krishna said, "How can I free myself from this curse?". Narada replied saying," Observe fast on every fourth day of the bright half of the lunar month. Worship and make offerings to Lord Ganesh or Siddhi Vinayak. You will be free from this sin". Lord Krishna followed Narada's advice and became free from the sin.

Siddhi-Vinayaka Vrata-the worship of Ganesha is performed on the fourth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada. This belief exists till today where people avoids looking at the moon on Vinayaga Chathurthi also known as Ganesh Chathurthi. 

Ganesh Chathurthi is celebrated as Lord Ganesha birthday by the Hindus. He is considered as the eldest son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy. Lord Ganesha is an elephant headed God and is worshiped prior to all Hindu Gods. His name is uttered before starting any jobs believed to be very fortunate and propitious. The Hindus even keep the idol or image of the Lord Ganesha in front of thier doors to let positive vibrations to enter the house. The image of God is also imprinted on wedding invitation cards to bring prosperous an harmony to the family. Lord Ganesha is considered as the God of Power and Wisdom.  

(story reference: http://hmindia.blogspot.com/)