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
Sambil merenung tentang kesalahan besar itu dan gelisah akan kemungkinan pertikaian dengan para bhakta Tuhan yang perkasa, Satrājit berfikir: “Bagaimana aku dapat membersihkan kekotoran dalam diriku, dan bagaimana Tuhan Acyuta akan berkenan kepadaku? Apa yang harus aku lakukan agar tuahku kembali dan orang ramai tidak menyumpahku sebagai rabun pertimbangan, hina, bodoh dan tamak harta? Aku akan mempersembahkan puteriku—permata di antara wanita—bersama permata Syamantaka kepada Tuhan; inilah satu-satunya jalan yang wajar, tiada cara lain untuk menenteramkan-Nya.”
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.