A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1567

c5.1567

SĀMBA. A son of Krishna by Jāmbavatī, but the Linga Purāna names Rukminī as his mother. At the swayam-vara of Draupadī he carried off that princess, but he was pursued by Dur-yodhana and his friends and made prisoner. Bala-rāma undertook to obtain his release, and when that hero thrust his ploughshare under the ramparts of Hastinā-pura and threatened it with ruin, the Kauravas gave up their prisoner, and Bala-rāma took him to Dwārakā, There he lived a dissolute life and scoffed at sacred things. The devotions of the three great sages, Viswāmitra, Dur-vāsas, and Nārada, excited the ridicule of Sāmba and his boon companions. They dressed Sāmba up to represent a woman with child and took him to the sages, inquiring whether he would give birth to a boy or a girl. The sages answered, "This is not a woman, but the son of Krishna, and he shall bring forth an iron club which shall destroy the whole race of Yadu, . . . and you and all your people shall perish by that club." Sāmba accordingly brought forth an iron club, which Ugrasena caused to be pounded and cast into the sea. These ashes produced rushes, and the rushes when gathered turned into clubs, or into reeds which were used as swords. One piece could not be crushed. This was subsequently found in the belly of a fish, and was used to tip an arrow, which arrow was used by the hunter Jaras, who with it unintentionally killed Krishna. Under the curse of Dur-vāsas, Sāmba became a leper and retired to the Panjāb, where by fasting, penance, and prayer he obtained the favour of Sūrya (the sun), and was cured of his leprosy. He built a temple to the sun on the banks of the Chandra-bhāgā (Chināb), and introduced the worship of that luminary.