Reading Notes: Shri Krishna of Dwarka, Part B

This is a summarization of the Shri Krishna of Dwarka stories regarding part B. Part B focuses on the aftermath of Krishna's life after he defeats Kansa and rules over the new city of Dwarka with Balarama.

Krishna abducting Rumani from the temple. Web Source: Wikimedia Commons

Chapter 8: The Syamantaka Jewel

After Krishna carries off Rukmani to Dwarka, the Sun God appears before Satrajit. Satrajit could not clearly see Surya and feared he would miss out on the opportunity to see him face to face. He asks him to reveal himself, so Surya took the great Syamantaka jewel and set it aside so Satrajit could gaze upon him directly. Then Satrajit asked for a boon to have the jewel and the boon was granted. When the people of Dwarka saw the jewel they became very afraid and fled. Krishna told them not to be worried since it was just the Sun God's jewel. Satrajit passes the jewel onto his brother Prasena. Prasena led an evil life, so the jewel was destined to bring him death. The jewel became passed down and one by one it killed those ill-willed that retrieved it. It reached a bear cub whose father was ferocious. Krishna went to get the jewel back and comes to face with the Bear King and they fight for 21 days in the cave. The townspeople assumed Krishna was dead and performed funeral rites. But Krishna defeated the Bear King as he grew weary and tired. He returns to Dwarka explaining everything that happened. In exchange for the precious jewel, he speared the Bear King's life.  Krishna accepts offers to wed two princesses. In the end, Akrura ends up wearing the jewel and bringing happiness and peace to Dwarka again.

Chapter 9: Adventures of Balarama and Pradyumna

Balarama journeys back to Vrindavan to reconnect with his childhood friends and associates. He reflects on the demons him and Krishna killed in the village and suddenly smells a sweet fragrance. The fragrance he smells is coming from a Kadamba tree. There he finds a bowl of liquid that is where the scent comes from. He realizes the wine goddess Sura has put it there and he drinks it. Afterward, the rich wine goes to his head and he wildly sings and dances with his friends. He calls on the Yamuna river so he can bathe, but after no response becomes angry and cuts deep into the river causing a new channel. The river became a woman and cried for Balarama's forgiveness. 

Rukmani and Krishnas eldest son Pradyumna is flung into the water by Sambara. It just so happens that a fish swallows him and the fish is sold to Sambara and his wife. Upon cutting open the fish for a meal, Mayadevi finds the little boy and promises to take care of him and teach him how to defeat the evil Sambara. After growing up to slay him, Mayadevi takes him to Dwarka where Rukmani recognizes him and he is embraced after telling them of his adventures. 

Chapter 10: Naraka and Bana

After Rumki's death, the God Indra goes to visit Krishna in Dwarka and be his ally against the demon Naraka. Narake was said to be one of the mightiest demons. Krishna defeats Muru and goes with Indra to the crumbling walls of Pragjyotisha. Krishna kills Muru's sevens sons and shears the head of Naraka. When they entered Naraka's palace they found all of the possessions he had stolen from others. In response to returning Aditi's nectar earrings, she gave him the Parijata tree which would make Dwarka the equivalent of Indra's heaven. But Sicha was not too happy about Krishna's asking. Later on, Bana the eldest of King Bali asked for a boon that would prove him foolish. He desired to have a foe worthy of him. Krishna defeats him and his men and his battle while remembering the boon he had wished for. He then asked for forgiveness and to spare his life, and Shiva pitied the demon king, so Krishna spared his life. 

Chapter 11: Nriga and Paundrika

In this chapter, a very big and long chameleon is found. Krishna is informed and goes to capture it, as soon as he does the chameleon turns into a tall attractive man. The man tells his story to Krishna and the people about how he was once named Nriga and a great King. A misfortunate even had befallen him which resulted in him unjustly robbing a brahmin of his cow. The brahmin would not be satisfied by any other cow except for his original, so in due time he died and the messengers of Yama took him to his palace. In order to pay for the penalty of his sons, he had to be born again as a beast. Being touched is was remitted his sentence. He returned to the heavens and Krishna later on dealt with an imposter. King Paundrika was so prideful about his own accomplishments, that he claimed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This was false and upon hearing what was taking place, Krishna once and all got rid of the imposter.

Chapter 12: Deaths of Jarasandha and Shishupala

The Bharata heroes dwelled amongst Prince Krishna. Krishna gave his counsel to the kinsman of Indraprastha. He said whoever held the Rajasuya sacrifice would be the greatest king in all of India. He instructed that Jarasandha must be killed first in order to allow for the Rajasuya sacrifice to take place. Yudhishthira consented for Bhima to be the slayer. Bhima broke Jarasandha's back and took an army back to Magadha in order to free the captive kings. After the sacrifice took place, Bhishma declared Krishna as the greatest king. Prince Shishupala became furious and jealous. Bhishma tries to soothe him but it did not work. The discus in Krishna's hand released and struck Shishupula in the neck. Yudhishthira honorably performed the funeral rites.

Chapter 13: The Passing of Krishna

Krishna's eventually returns from Indraprasthahe is not made aware of a story told to some youths that King Ugrasena was notified about. Supposedly a woman bearing a club would destroy all of the Yadava race. Samba takes off his clothes to resume his former dress and also finds an iron club in the folds. The youths returned back to Dwarka and show Ugrasen the club. He has the club all except the handle ground to powder, then tosses the handle in the sea. The handle, however, ended up in the belly of a fish and in the hands of a man named Jara. He had wielded it onto an arrowhead. Later on, the people of Dwarka began to experience terrible signs and potents, so Krishna bade everyone to go on a pilgrimage. Thus leading to the eventual end of the Yadava brothers and Krishna.



Shri Krishna of Dwarka and Other Stories
Author: C. A. Kincaid
Web Source: Shri Krishna of Dwarka Part B