Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 41
The Syamantaka Jewel: Accusation, Recovery, and Kṛṣṇa’s Marriage to Satyabhāmā
सोऽनुध्यायंस्तदेवाघं बलवद्विग्रहाकुल: । कथं मृजाम्यात्मरज: प्रसीदेद् वाच्युत: कथम् ॥ ४० ॥ किं कृत्वा साधु मह्यं स्यान्न शपेद् वा जनो यथा । अदीर्घदर्शनं क्षुद्रं मूढं द्रविणलोलुपम् ॥ ४१ ॥ दास्ये दुहितरं तस्मै स्त्रीरत्नं रत्नमेव च । उपायोऽयं समीचीनस्तस्य शान्तिर्न चान्यथा ॥ ४२ ॥
so ’nudhyāyaṁs tad evāghaṁ balavad-vigrahākulaḥ kathaṁ mṛjāmy ātma-rajaḥ prasīded vācyutaḥ katham
Brooding over his grievous offense and anxious about a clash with the Lord’s mighty devotees, Satrājit thought: “How shall I cleanse the dust from my soul, and how will Lord Acyuta be pleased with me? What must I do to regain my good fortune, so that the people will not curse me as short-sighted, petty, foolish, and greedy for wealth? I shall offer the Lord my daughter—the jewel among women—together with the Syamantaka jewel. This alone is the proper means to pacify Him; there is no other way.”
FAQs
This verse shows sincere remorse: one should recognize the wrongdoing, seek inner purification, and desire to please Acyuta (Kṛṣṇa), indicating repentance must be directed toward restoring devotion and humility.
Because his actions and suspicions around the Syamantaka jewel created offense and conflict; he fears having displeased Kṛṣṇa and therefore seeks a way to remove his guilt and regain the Lord’s favor.
When you make a serious mistake, don’t justify it—reflect honestly, seek purification through humility and corrective action, and focus on restoring trust and integrity.