The Greatness of Saturn by Robert E. Svoboda Part V

The Greatness of Saturn by Robert E. Svoboda

A Therapeutic Method

(Book review 12/2015)

Krishna and the Syamantaka Gem

“The Sun said, ‘O Satrajit! I am pleased with your penance. If you have any desire then ask for it; I shall grant you any boon you name.’

“Satrajit said, ‘O Lord Sun! I am a poor man. If you are pleased with me, then give me riches.’

“The Sun took the Syamantaka gem from around his neck and giving it to Satrajit said: “Every day this gem will give you eight wagon loads of gold. You must always bathe and do your daily worship before you wear it, though, because whoever wears this gem when he is impure will be destroyed.’ The personified Sun then disappeared.

“Then I entered into Shri Krishna’s house – both His astrological house and His material home – and as soon as His Seven – and –a- Half began, the desire to possess the Syamantaka gem arose in His mind so He called Satrajit to his palace and offered him to keep it safe.

“After leaving Krishna’s palace Satrajit went directly to Prasenjit and told him ‘Purify yourself, and wear this around your neck.’ Prasenjit then began to wear the gem.

“One day not long afterwards Prasenjit went to the forest to hunt, and while he was in impure state a lion caught him, killed him, and carried away the Syamantaka. Jambavan the bear, attracted by the gem’s glow, tracked down that lion, killed him, and carried the gem back home with him.

“When Shri Krishna returned from abroad and entered Dwarka, He found all the children fleeing in terror before Him, shouting, ‘Run from Krishna the thug, who kills even children to grab their ornaments!’ Though this was a rude awakening, Shri Krishna divined the entire situation in an instant.”

“The epic battle in the cave continued for a full twenty-eight days, until both combatants felt that they had their fill of it. Then Shri Krishna displayed His true form, as Lord Vishnu, to Jambvan. Jambvan, realizing that there was no difference between Krishna and Ramchandra, and remembering his promise of aid made ages ago to Lord Ramchandra, spoke: ‘I am very pleased with Your strength, O Lord! Now I offer Syamantaka , and also my daughter to You; please do accept them.’ Shri Krishna accepted the gem and took Janbavati as His wife and left with them for Dwarka.

When Shri Krishna met Satrajit He returned the Syamantaka to him, recounting the entire story in detail. Satrajit fell to His feet, begging His pardon for ever doubting Him, and then gave his daughter Satyabhama to Shri Krishna for His wife. Satrajit also tried to entrust the jewel to Him. Shri Krishna gladly accepted Satyabhama, but requested Satrajit to keep the gem.

“Everyone in Dwarka was ashamed to have believed the rumor about Shri Krishna, but He forgave them. He must have then thought that this chapter in His life is now closed – but I was not through with Him yet! Satyabhama had originally been promised by Satrajit to a Yadava named Shatadhanva, and this Satdhanva became embittered when she married Shri Krishna instead. Shatdhanva killed Satrajit in cold blood and took the Syamantaka for himself.

“When Shri Krishna came to know of this, Shatadhanva deposited the jewel with Akura and fled town to try to save himself. But when they returned to Dwarka, Shri Krishna and his brother Balarama hunted down Satadhanva like a beast of prey and slew him. Now it was Akura’s turn to take fright and flee. To salvage His reputation yet again, for the rumor was bruited about the city that He had plotted the burglary and murder with his relatives, Shri Krishna called Akura back, and induced him to show the gem to everyone. Then He reassured the terrified Akura and allowed him to keep the jewel.

“When finally HE became free from my gaze, Shri Krishna was so immensely relieved that He joined His hands together prayerfully and said to me, ‘O Lord Saturn Your mastery is miraculous. You torment everyone, even the devas and the asuras. Everyone gets misery, more of it or less, as they deserve. You are profoundly astounding.

“This is the way I aggravated even Shri Krishna; if I did not spare Him, who will I spare? Said Saturn in conclusion.

Then King Vikramaditya rose to his feet and prostrated at full length to Lord Saturn, saying, “O Supreme Lord Saturn! Glory to you! You have purified me. Now I seek this boon from you, that you will torment no living being.”

Lord Saturn replied, “O King Vikrama! It is because you are always intent on the welfare of others that you request from me the boon of removing the liabilities of others. I am really at a loss to find comparable benevolence in anyone else.”

The pleased Saturn then offered King Vikrama this boon: “I will not torment anyone who listens to or meditates on this Mahatmya of mine. I will protect day and night anyone who hears or concentrates on this Mahatmya and, installing this book in his house, worships it. If you cannot read or listen to this Mahatmya daily, at lest do so on Saturdays, fasting on that day and worshipping intently. Do this particularly on the Saturdays of the lunar month of Shravana. O King Vikramaditya! Your mind has been purified; it is now free of filth. I shall explain you how to worship me. Pay close attention!” Saturn then explained how to worship him with the hymn known as the Dasharathokta Shani Stotra. King Vikrama was immensely gratified to receive this hymn directly from Saturn’s mouth.

Saturn then said your Seven – and –a- Half is now completely over, and your rise will now occur.”

Vikramaditya prostrated to Saturn and taking that planet’s blessing for long life and prosperity, he said, “Great Lord Saturn! Just as you have showered your grace on me, even so shower it on every being.”

“Let it be so!” said Saturn as he became invisible, leaving Vikramaditya a wiser and much more sober man.

King Vikramaditya returned to Ujjayini with two wives, one the princess and other the merchant’s daughter. The King Chandrasena gifted a village to the oilman for taking care of King Vikramaditya. And King Vikramaditya also gifted a village to the daughter –in-law of the oilman as a gratitude for the help done to him. All was well by the grace of Lord Saturn. Then on an auspicious day, King Vikrama ordered the erection of a temple to Lord Saturn, and the populace began to diligently perform Saturn’s worship.

Anyone who reads or hears this story with full concentration and heartfelt devotion will obtain relief from all miseries.