Objects and Relics · Mahabharata Glossary

Syamantaka (syamantaka)

स्यमन्तक

What Syamantaka Means in the Mahabharata

The Syamantaka is a jewel given by the sun that produces gold daily for a virtuous owner and destroys an unworthy one. Krishna is accused of stealing it when its holder is killed by a lion in the forest, and he tracks the stone into a cave, wrestles the bear king Jambavan for days, and returns with both the jewel and Jambavan's daughter as his wife. The episode is the epic tradition's account of how a god clears his own name, and it is why Krishna is sometimes praised as the one who bore a false accusation.

Quick Facts

Key facts about Syamantaka
TermSyamantaka
Devanagariस्यमन्तक
Transliterationsyamantaka
CategoryObjects and Relics
Seen in1 story on this site

Syamantaka in the Stories

Tales where the word does real work.

Figures Bound Up With Syamantaka