It was a lovely marriage. Sundar, the son of a cloth merchant, had just wed Usha, the daughter of a jewel merchant. Both families and the whole town were overjoyed at the marriage celebration. The two most powerful business families of the town had concluded an alliance. But for the just married couple the facts of money meant nothing when compared to the joys of youthful romance. For them it was a marriage of love, not money. When the priest recited the prayers they looked into each other’s eyes and knew they had found a treasure that was beyond the value of money. One month after the marriage it was decided by Usha’s father Prachar that Sundar would be his partner in the jewel trade. Sundar agreed because there was a great challenge in traveling to far off places to seek the best values in jewel trading. The profits were great but the risk of life was greater. Usha loved to be with Sundar, but she agreed with her father that a good husband must prove himself to be a hero that could conquer all the challenges involved in jewel trading voyages.

Sundar also wanted to prove to his wife Usha that he had the courage to succeed in his own right. Unlike Prachar, he was not greedy for business profits. The only thing about the forthcoming jewel trading voyage that made Sundar sad was that he would have to be temporarily separated from his loving wife Usha. One early morning Prachar and Usha waved goodbye to Sundar and twenty five other men as they set sail to seek their profits in a jewel trading voyage. The days grew into weeks, and Usha was tearfully missing her young husband. Prachar told his daughter Usha that he had confidence that Sundar would return with a rich treasure of precious jewels. All was tranquil at sea until suddenly a dark cloud appeared overhead. Then there was wind and rain. The sea went wild with its huge waves attacking the ship. The sail was blown down, and water began going over the deck of the ship. There was no hope for survival. The ship went down. All the crew perished except Sundar. Sundar hung on to a big chunk of wood and swam until it seemed like he was living in a sea of eternity. Time had stopped for him. He was swimming for his dear life, not knowing where it would all end.

Twelve hours later, in a semiconscious state, he reached a tranquil shore. Sundar thanked God that he was still alive and prayed that he might eventually rejoin his wife Usha. Meanwhile Sundar’s immediate concern was to explore the island that he had reached. He was hungry and began to search for food. It seemed strange to Sundar that this island was so quiet. Although there was no animal life, there was fresh spring water descending from a mountain. After drinking that reviving water, Sundar decided to explore the mountain. The next day he began climbing the mountain. It was too good to be true. Many small caves on the mountain had gold and diamonds. But precious jewels in themselves are worthless when one is lost on a far off island. Sundar would trade all these expensive treasures just to be once again with his wife Usha. Sundar again prayed to God that he would live to leave this jewel island and rejoin Usha. He decided to continue his search on the mountain. At last he found one cave that did not have gems, which could be traded on the jewel market. A glowing crystal image of a goddess with a red cobra coiled around it suddenly startled Sundar’s vision.

In Sundar’s presence the crystal image seemed to vibrate with light. When one calls for God’s help there is always an answer. Now the red cobra swiftly glided off the crystal goddess and entered Sundar’s body. The young treasure hunter felt a massive explosion racing up his spinal column. The red cobra was now a dot of energy shooting up Sundar’s central nervous system. Then it reached the summit of his head. Now there was a new consciousness awake in Sundar’s mind. The crystal goddess in the cave became alive in his being. "I am the Chintamani jewel residing on the island of delight inside your soul. Most men seek the jewels of this world hoping that they will yield all the objects desired. But I know you are different. In past lifetimes, in another age, you worshipped me constantly in this cave with your sincere prayer ‘Mother of the universe reveal thy love.’ This jewel island is of another purer age, and soon it will disappear. But before my crystal image vanishes take its third eye and wear it as a locket. Whenever you or your wife gaze at this crystal locket with the prayer ‘Mother of the universe reveal thy love’, I will appear within your consciousness and bless you. I protect my devotees throughout eternity." The words and vision of the crystal goddess had faded in Sundar’s awakened consciousness. But he took the third eye of the crystal goddess for a locket and again prayed to leave the jewel island and soon be with his wife Usha.

Prachar had a dream. He told Usha that a lady whose body was made of crystal jewels came to him telling the location of the jewel island where Sundar was stranded. Usha asked Prachar what he wanted most, the jewels or Sundar. Prachar was honest and told his daughter that he wanted both the jewels and Sundar to return. So Prachar built a bigger ship and sailed toward the jewel island. But all was not so tranquil on the jewel island. Deep rumbling noises were exploding inside the earth. Finally, Prachar and his crew reached the island. Sundar embraced his father in law and showed him where all the jewels were. Then Prachar told Sundar about his dream of the crystal goddess, and Sundar told Prachar about his experiences in the cave. Just as they had boarded the big ship and set sail for home, the jewel island exploded in one gigantic volcanic eruption and disappeared into the sea without a trace. Sundar and Prachar returned safely home. With all the jewels Prachar was rich beyond his wildest expectations. Suddenly he remembered the crystal goddess of his dream, and all worldly greed left him. Prachar built a magnificent temple to the crystal goddess, and every year distributed large sums in charity to all those who were in need. Sundar, with the rediscovered knowledge that he had been a devotee of the crystal goddess in past lifetimes, began teaching his wife Usha the secret of the crystal locket. By meditation and prayer they discovered within God’s spiritual wishfulfilling Chintamani jewel that put them in the divine presence.