Shookdeo Jeesaid,—Raja! Shree Krishnù Chund, having thus inspired the brahmin with confidence, said, “As a burning flame comes forth from wood by rubbing it, so will I bring away the beauteous Rookmunee, having destroyed the army of wicked demons.”
Having thus spoken, and arrayed himself in an elegant and handsome dress, covered with jewels, Krishnù went to the Raja Oogursen, and said with joined hands, “O great king! Bheekmuk, the Raja of Koondulpore, has written me a letter, offering his daughter, which he has sent by the hand of his family priest, and has invited me to come alone; with your permission I will go, and, having married his daughter, bring her here.” Oogursen said in reply, “Why have you fixed your affections in so distant a country? You are going there alone, Moorari; avoid entering into quarrels, or wrangling with any one; who will send us intelligence here of you?” Oogursen afterwards added, “Well, if you must go there, take all your army with you, and go accompanied by your brother, and return quickly after the marriage; do not fight or quarrel with any one there; because you will live long and will be able to obtain many very beautiful women.” On receiving his permission, Shree Krishnù Chund said to Oogursen, “O great king! you have spoken truly, but I will proceed in advance; and please send Bulram Jee after me with the army.” With these words, Huri took leave of Oogursen and Basoodeo; and, having gone to the brahmin, sent for his ruth, and Daruk, his charioteer. On receiving Krishnù’s order, he immediately harnessed a chariot with four horses, on which Shree Krishnù ascended; and, having seated the brahmin by his side, proceeded from Dwarka to Koondulpore. On emerging from the city, he saw herds of deer running on his right hand; and lions and lionesses, rushing roaring from opposite him, with their food.
Upon observing this good omen, the brahmin reflected and said, “O great king! from beholding this omen, I am of opinion, that you will obtain a full accomplishment of your wishes, just as these animals have obtained the object of their desires.” Shree Krishnu Chund replied, “By your favour it will happen so.” Having then spoken, Huri advanced thence; and beholding new countries, cities and villages arrived at Koondulpore; and observed, on his arrival, that the beauty of the city had been very much increased by the marriage preparations, which were being everywhere made. The lanes were swept clean, and the cross-roads spread over with cloths, and sprinkled with perfumes and sandal wood. There were clusters of betelnut and vegetables, in the midst of which, cocoanuts of gold were distributed. There were innumerable garlands in each house, composed of green leaves, fruits and flowers; flags, banners and wreaths were waving in the air, and elegant golden spires were attached to the tops of domes, and there was rejoicing in each house. O great king! such was the beauty of the scene in the city; but it is impossible to give a description of the festivities inside the palace, which required to be seen to be properly appreciated. Shree Krishnù Chund having, in the course of his progress, seen all the city, encamped in an enclosed ground, belonging to the Raja Bheekmuk, and seated in the refreshing shade, having cooled himself after his journey, said to the brahmin, “O divinity! go first of all, and inform Rookmunee Jee of my arrival, that she may acquire confidence, and banish her sorrows. Afterwards acquaint me with all that has transpired there, that I may arrange my plans accordingly.” The brahmin said, “O lord of mercy! to-day is the first day of the marriage; and there is great confusion and bustle of preparation in the palace, I will go and take an opportunity of mentioning your arrival to Rookmunee Jee, when I find her alone.” With these words the brahmin went thence. O great king! Huri thus arrived quietly and alone; whilst on the other hand, Raja Sissoopal, accompanied by Joorasindhoo and armies of demons, arrived with boundless show and splendour, and brought such a crowd with him, that the king of the serpent race, the snake Sheshù, on one of the heads of which the world rests, began to totter from the weight, and the earth to be upset. Having received information of their arrival, Raja Bheekmuk advanced with his ministers and relations to receive them: and having met the bridegroom with great honour and dignity, robing all the party in robes of honour, and presenting them with arms studded with jewels, and ornaments, elephants, and horses, brought them into the city; and having fixed upon a place in the bride’s house for the reception of the bridegroom and his train, entertained them with deferential respect.
Having proceeded thus far in the narrative, Shree Shookdeo, the sage, said,—O lord of the earth! I will now narrate an intermediate story, to which be pleased to listen with attention. When Shree Krishnù Chund left Dwarka, all the descendants of Judoo went to Raja Oogursen, and said, “O great king! we have heard, that Raja Sissoopal has gone to Koondulpore with Joorasindhoo and all his army of evil spirits to the marriage; and Huri has gone alone. From this we are certain, that there will be fighting between them and Shree Krishnù Jee. With this opinion, firmly fixed in our mind, how can we remain here, pretending ignorance, and abandon Huri? Our own wishes are averse to this, and we are ready to act according to your instructions.”
On hearing these words, the Raja Oogursen was greatly alarmed and frightened; and having sent for Bulram Jee, explained to him and said, “Go quickly with all my army to Koondulpore, so as to reach the city before Shree Krishnù’s arrival, and bring him back with you.” On receiving the Raja’s order, Buldeo Jee took with him to Koondulpore fifty-six crores of the descendants of Judoo. The elephants of the army of all colours, black, white and purple, appeared like clouds, and their white tusks appeared like rows of cranes. The large kettle-drums sounded like thunder, and their arms shone like lightning. Troops of horsemen, dressed in red and yellow, were seen scattered here and there: whole ranges of chariots advanced, glittering with splendour; on beholding the beauty of which, the gods were delighted, and with the greatest joy rained down flowers from the sky, seated in their cars and expressed wishes for Krishnù’s success and victory. In the mean while, and about the time of Huri’s arrival, Bulram Jee arrived also at Koondulpore. After this, Shree Shookdeo Jee added, O great king! Shree Krishnù Chund, the sea of beauty and light of the world, arrived thus at Koondulpore; but Rookmunee, not having been informed of his coming, was displeased, and gazed in every direction, like the moon, which is dimmed on the approach of morning. Her elegant mind was greatly overwhelmed by excess of anxious thought; and she stood gazing and looking in every direction from a lofty balcony. She peeped through the windows and doors, tears streaming from her eyes. Dissatisfied, and greatly depressed in mind, she sighed deeply, weeping from agitation, and oppressed with sad thoughts she said, “Why has Huri not come yet, whose name is ‘the acquainted with the secrets of the heart?’ What fault have I committed, that he has not yet thought of me? Has the brahmin not gone to him, or does he think me ugly, and not wish to return my affection, or has he been prevented by the arrival of Joorasindhoo? To-morrow is the marriage-day, and the demon has come. If he should take my hand to-morrow, how can this sinful soul survive without Huri? Prayers, penance, vows and acts of charity have been no protection to me. What shall I do? Whither shall I go? Sissoopal has come with his marriage procession; why has the merciful Krishnù delayed coming so long?”
When Rookmunee had thus spoken, one of her companions said, “How can Huri come to such a distant country, without permission from his father and brother?” Another said, “He, whose titles are ‘acquainted with the secrets of the heart and merciful to the poor,’ will certainly not fail in coming. Be of good cheer, Rookmunee; be not agitated, I have a firm belief, that some one will come presently, and announce Huri’s arrival.”
O great king! whilst these two were thus engaged in discourse, the brahmin arrived; and having pronounced a blessing said, “Shree Krishnù Chund Jee has arrived, and is encamped in one of the royal enclosures; and Buldeo Jee is following with all the army.”
On seeing the brahmin, and hearing what he had said, Rookmunee Jee’s spirits were revived; and then she was as happy as a devotee, who has obtained the fruit of his penance. After a short time, Shree Rookmunee Jee, with joined hands, and bowing her head, began to say in presence of the brahmin, “By coming to-day, and mentioning the arrival of Huri, you have restored me to life; what return shall I make you for this? If I were to give the wealth of the universe, I should still be in your debt.”
Having thus spoken, she remained fearful, and abashed. The brahmin being highly gratified, and pronouncing a benediction, rose and went thence to the Raja Bheekmuk, and explained all the circumstances of Shree Krishnù’s arrival. On hearing this authentic account, the Raja Bheekmuk rose up and proceeded to the enclosure where Shree Krishnù and Bulram, the abodes of pleasure, were living; prostrating himself on his arrival so as to touch the ground with the eight principal parts of his body, he appeared before them, and with joined hands said, “You are the root of my mind, Huri; how shall I explain to you what our wicked enemies have done? My desires have been accomplished by your coming here.”
Having thus spoken, and having had Krishnù comfortably housed, Raja Bheekmuk returned to his own palace, and reflecting began to say, “Every one knows the exploits of Huri; who can say, how his arrival here has been brought about?” And all the inhabitants of the city, male and female, came to where Shree Krishnù and Buldeo were, and sung of their renowned actions, and celebrated their praises, saying to each other, “Rookmunee is a fit bride for Shree Krishnù. Bruhmù grant that this match may take place, and last long.” In the mean while, upon a sudden thought the two brothers went to look at the city; crowds of men and women were collected at every market, road and cross-road, to which the two brothers went; who sprinkling perfumes and sandal, and rose-water, and raining down flowers on them stretched out their hands, and pointed out the two brothers to each other: “Bulram is dressed in blue, and Krishnù in yellow silk, they have crowns on their heads, and tremulous ear-rings; their lotus eyes, wish to steal away our hearts.” The two brothers went on viewing the city; at length, having seen all the city and the forces of Raja Sissoopal, they returned to their own army.
On hearing of their arrival, Raja Bheekmuk’s eldest son was exceedingly wroth, and going to his father began to say, “Say, truly, at whose invitation has Shree Krishnù come here? I cannot understand how he can have come, without being invited. A marriage is an occasion and affair of pleasure, what business has he here? Wherever these two deceitful, perverse creatures go, they occasion injury. If you value your own welfare, tell me, truly, by whom were they invited?”
O great king! Rookum having thus endeavoured to terrify his father, rose and went thence, uneasy and disturbed in mind, to the court of Sissoopal and Joorasindhoo, and said to them, “Bulram and Krishnù have come here; inform all your people of this, that they may be on their guard.”
On hearing the names of the two brothers, Raja Sissoopal looking back upon the exploits and history of Huri became low-spirited, and began to be very thoughtful, and Joorasindhoo said, “Wherever these two come they commit some violence or other, they are very powerful, and treacherous. In Bruj they have slain with ease Kuns and other mighty demons; do not look upon them as children, they have never been defeated in any encounter. Shree Krishnù destroyed my army seventeen times; when I attacked the eighteenth time, he ran away, and climbed up a mountain, which I set on fire, and he, by some trick, escaped to Dwarka. No one understands Krishnù’s nature, he has come here to commit violence. He is very deceitful, and will practise great deceit, and no one will be able to understand him. Arrange, therefore, your plans, so that our characters may be preserved.” When Joorasindhoo had thus spoken Rookum replied, “What things are they, that you are so apprehensive about them? I know them well; they wander about the jungles, singing and dancing, and playing the flute, and tending herds. What do those village children know of the science of war? Banish all anxiety from your mind, I will in a second repel and slay Shree Krishnù and Bulram, and all the descendants of Judoo.”
Shree Shookdeo Jee said, O great king! Rookum returned home that day after having entered into explanations with Joorasindhoo and Sissoopal, and inspired them with confidence, and they spent the night in uneasiness.
In the morning Rajas Sissoopal and Joorasindhoo, considering it the marriage-day, were engaged in all the bustle and preparation of bringing forth the marriage procession: and there were festive rejoicings also at the palace of the Raja Bheekmuk. In the mean while Rookmunee Jee sent a message to Shree Krishnù Chund by a brahmin, saying, “O abode of kindness! this is the marriage-day; when two ghurees of the day are left, I will go to perform poojah at a temple of Dewee, eastward of the city. My modesty and good name have been entrusted to you; act, so that they may be preserved.”
Afterwards, when the day was somewhat advanced, her female friends and companions, and relatives arrived; on coming there, having first filled up a square place in the court-yard with large pearls, and arranging upon it a golden chair, studded with ornaments, they seated Rookmunee upon it, and had her rubbed with oil by the hands of seven married women. Afterwards, having applied perfumes and scented paste, and bathed and washed her, they decked her out completely with jewels and ornaments; and arraying her in a red boddice, they placed her in her full bridal dress on the chair. When about four ghurees of the day remained, the youthful Rookmunee, accompanied by her female friends and companions, went forth in musical procession to perform poojah to Dewee; and Raja Bheekmuk sent some of his people to protect her. On hearing that the Raja’s daughter had gone outside the city to worship Dewee, Raja Sissoopal, through dread of Shree Krishnù Chund, summoned some of his mighty heroes, and powerful warlike attendants; and, having given them most minute instructions, sent them to guard Rookmunee Jee. They came, bringing with them their arms and weapons of all kinds, and accompanied the Raja’s daughter. At that time Rookmunee, accompanied by crowds of her female companions, proceeding veiled under the guard and protection of black demons, appeared as beautiful as the moon surrounded by stars, in the midst of a black cloud. At length, after proceeding some distance, she reached the temple of Dewee. Having gone to the temple, she washed her feet and hands, and sipping water from the palm of her hand, became purified. The Raja’s daughter having made an offering of sandal, rice, flowers, perfumes, lamps and consecrated food, went through the ceremony of worshipping Dewee with great faith, and according to the injunctions of the Vedas. Having afterwards prepared food agreeable to female brahmins, she arrayed them in elegant dresses, and making sectarial marks on their foreheads, and fastening thereon the unbroken rice used in the oblation, made them presents, and received their blessing. Having afterwards offered adoration to Dewee by going round to the right, that lovely creature, with a face like the moon, of the colour of the flower chumpa, with deer-like eyes, a voice like the kokila, and the gait of an elephant, taking her companions with her, was occupied with the thought of meeting Huri. And as she was on the point of returning, after having finished all the necessary rites and ceremonies, Shree Krishnù Chund, seated on his ruth, arrived alone at the spot where the warlike attendants of Rookmunee were standing fully armed.
Having recited thus much, Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—When she was returning, after having worshipped Dewee one of her companions said, in a state of agitation, “O beautiful Rookmunee! Huri has arrived: behold his waving banner.” Having heard this speech of her companions, and beholding the flag attached to Krishnù’s ruth, the Raja’s daughter was so overjoyed, that her body could not contain her. Placing her hand in that of her companion, she advanced amongst them all in the hope of meeting Huri, with such a fascinating look, smiling, and at such an easy, composed pace, that all description is impossible of the beauty of her appearance. The guards on seeing Shree Krishnù Chund all seemed to be deprived of sense, and stood still; and the screen of cloth, behind which Rookmunee was concealed, dropped from their hands. And on beholding the beautiful and fascinating face of Rookmunee, they were more distracted, and were so upset, that they lost all thought and recollection. She raised her eye-brow, in the form of a bow, and having shot forth the arrows of her eyes from the bowstring of her darkened eye-lashes, in the act of killing them, restored them to life.
O great king! at that time all the demons stood gazing like painted pictures; and Shree Krishnù Chund, having advanced his chariot amongst them, stopped near Rookmunee, who, on beholding her soul’s lord, was suffused with blushes; and, as she stretched out her hand to meet Krishnù, he raised her up with his left hand, and seated her on his ruth; she trembled and was greatly abashed; and, having abandoned all others, went off with Huri. Like a religious ascetic who abandons his home, and fixes his affections on the feet of Krishnù.
O great king! Rookmunee Jee obtained the fruit of all the prayers, penance, fasts and acts of charity she had performed, and forgot all her former sorrows. Her enemies seized their arms, and stood gazing at her. Krishnù carried off Rookmunee from the midst of them, just as a lion would spring amongst large troops of jackals, and seizing its prey, go off fearless and roaring. After Shree Krishnù Chund’s departure, Bulram Jee, sounding the kettle-drum, joined him with all his army.
Shree Shookdeo Jeesaid,—O great king! having gone some distance, and looking on the thoughtful and blushing Rookmunee Jee, Shree Krishnù Chund said, “O lovely creature! banish all anxiety, I will sound my shell, and dissipate your fears; and, on arrival at Dwarka, marry you according to the prescribed rites and ceremonies of the Vedas.” With these words Krishnù put his own necklace on her neck; and, seating her on his left, sounded his shell, when the attendants of Sissoopal and Joorasindhoo all started from their sleep; and it was spread abroad, throughout the whole city, that Huri had carried off Rookmunee. Rajas Sissoopal and Joorasindhoo, having heard of Rookmunee’s abduction from the guards they sent with her, were exceedingly enraged; and putting on their coats of mail and helmets, and fastening their waist-bands, and arming themselves completely, followed in quick pursuit of Krishnù with all their forces, with a view of engaging him. When they came near, poising their weapons, they exclaimed, “Why are you running away, stand and take your arms and fight? Chutrees and heroical brave men do not show their backs in the field.”
On hearing these words, O great king! the descendants of Judoo faced about, and the engagement began on both sides. The youthful Rookmunee was at that time greatly alarmed; and, covering herself with a veil, shed tears, and heaved deep sighs, looking intently on the face of her beloved, she thought to herself, “That he endured all these troubles for her sake.” Krishnù, who is acquainted with the secrets of the heart, knowing the thoughts of her mind, said, “O lovely Rookmunee! why art thou afraid? In thy very sight I will slay the army of demons, and remove the burthens of the earth, do not be at all anxious.”
Having recited thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—Raja! the gods, seated at that time in their chariots in the sky, beheld the descendants of Judoo fighting with the demons, and a mighty battle raging, Krishnù stood looking on, whilst Bulram fought. Kettle-drums sounded, bards sang war-songs, panegyrists celebrated the praises of the combatants, horsemen encountered horsemen, elephant riders elephant riders, charioteers charioteers, and foot soldiers foot soldiers. In every direction heroes and brave men attacked and engaged each other; and cowards, leaving the field, ran off with their lives. The wounded stood writhing with pain, headless trunks, with swords in their hands, wandered about in every direction, and bodies were heaped upon bodies, from which a river of blood flowed; the elephants, which were lying dead here and there, appeared like islands, and their trunks like alligators. Muhadeo, accompanied by ghosts, goblins and spirits, wore a garland of heads, which he had selected; and vultures, jackals and dogs tore and fought with each other for the corpses of the slain, and, rending them in pieces, devoured them. Crows plucked out eyes from their sockets, and carried them off. At length, in sight of the gods, Bulram destroyed the army of demons, in the manner that a husbandman would reap a field. Joorasindhoo and Sissoopal, when their whole army was destroyed, took a few wounded men with them, and flying arrived and made a stand at the same place. Sissoopal, expressing great regret and shaking his head, said to Joorasindhoo, “It is not right I should live, having lost my honour, and brought disgrace on my family; with your permission, therefore, I will return to the battle, and die fighting; if not, I will take up my abode in the forest; I will become a devotee, and abandon all worldly hopes; my good name and character are lost, why should I live, and preserve life by submitting to disgrace?” Joorasindhoo replied, “O great king! you are a man of understanding and great experience; how shall I advise you? The wise do not allow themselves to be troubled by the events that occur, because another being is the disposer of good and evil; man has no power, but is under the authority of, and subservient to, another; as the juggler makes the wooden puppet dance as he pleases, so is man in the power of his Maker, who acts according to his own will, for which reason you should not be elated in prosperity, nor depressed in adversity; but look upon every thing as a dream. I advanced seventeen times to attack the city of Muttra with twenty-three complete armies, and my whole army was seventeen times slain by this Krishnù; I did not give myself any uneasiness, nor was I at all elated when on the eighteenth occasion I destroyed his forces, he ran away and climbed up a hill, which I set on fire; it is impossible to know how he escaped with life, his nature is not to be understood.” Joorasindhoo after this again said, “O great king! it is advisable for you to submit to this present crisis of your affairs. There is a saying, that if life is spared, all will go well: as it happened to me to be defeated seventeen times, and again a victory on the eighteenth occasion. Consult, therefore, your own welfare and interest, and act accordingly, and abandon obstinacy.”
When Joorasindhoo, O great king! had given this advice, Sissoopal recovered confidence, and, taking with him all his armed followers, who had escaped wounded, he accompanied Joorasindhoo in a state of great sorrow and regret, and they went thence after their defeat. And now listen to the account of what happened in the family of Sissoopal. As his mother began to prepare festive entertainments in expectation of the arrival of her son, some one sneezed in front of her, and her right eye began to palpitate; when she beheld this unfavourable omen, her forehead throbbed; and in the mean while, some one came and said to her, “Your son’s army has all been destroyed, and he has not obtained the bride, and he is running away thence to save his life.” On hearing these words, Sissoopal’s mother was greatly troubled, and became speechless.
Rookum having heard of the flight of Sissoopal and Joorasindhoo, came and sat in his court in a state of great rage and excitement; and began to say in the presence of all, “How can Krishnù escape from me? I will now go and slay him, as sure as my name is Rookum: otherwise, I will not return to Koondulpore.” O great king! having made this vow, Rookum took with him a complete army, consisting of 109,350 foot, 65,610 horse, 21,870 chariots and 21,870 elephants; and advanced to fight with Shree Krishnù Chund, and surrounded the army of the descendants of Judoo. He then said to his followers, “Do you destroy all the descendants of Judoo, and I will go on in advance, and bring Krishnù here alive and bound.”
On hearing these words, his followers began to fight with the descendants of Judoo; and he went forward in his chariot, and, on approaching Shree Krishnù Chund, called out, “O deceitful villager! what do you know of the nature and duties of government? In the same way, that in your childhood you stole milk and curds, you have come and carried off a beautiful woman; I am not a herdsman, inhabitant of Bruj.” With these words, he seized some arrows, and discharged three poisoned ones from his bow at Krishnù. Perceiving the arrows coming towards him, Shree Krishnù Chund warded them off, (or stopped them midway). Rookum discharged more arrows, with the same result on the part of Krishnù; who, having prepared and arranged his bow, let fly several arrows with such force, that the charioteers and all the horses of the chariot were destroyed; and Rookum’s bow was pierced, and fell from his hand. Huri after this cut in pieces and cast on the ground all the weapons Rookum used against him. He was exceedingly enraged, and seizing a shield and sword, leaped from his chariot, and rushed towards Shree Krishnù Chund, as a mad jackal would rush upon an elephant, or as a moth would fly into a lamp. On coming up, he attacked the chariot of Huri with a club, who immediately laid hold of and bound him, and was on the point of killing him, when Rookmunee Jee interposed, and said, “Do not kill him, he is my brother, release, lord, your servant; what can such a blind fool know, who looks upon the husband of Luchmee as a mortal. You are the first and eternal god of devotion; and have became manifest, O divine being! for the sake of your worshippers. How could this silly creature recognize you, who are celebrated as the compassionate benefactor of the poor?” Having thus spoken she added, “Good men take no thought of the faults of fools and children, as the lion pays no regard to the barking of a dog. If you kill him, my father will be afflicted; you ought not, therefore, to put him to death. Wherever your feet fall, all men live happily; it would be strange indeed, if having such a relation as you, Raja Bheekmuk should suffer grief on account of his son.”
O great king! after this speech, Rookmunee Jee once again thus said, “You have shown great affection towards my relation, in having laid hold of and bound him, and in being prepared with a sword in your hand to kill him.” Afterwards, she was very much agitated, and trembling, with downcast eyes and sobbing, she fell at his feet, and throwing open her breast, began to say, “O Krishnù! give my brother to me as an act of charity; and acquire renown for yourself in the world by this deed.” Shree Krishnù Chund Jee’s anger was entirely cooled by hearing these words, and looking towards Rookmunee, he did not deprive Rookum of life; but made a sign to his charioteer, who immediately pulled off his turban, and tying his hands behind his back shaved his moustachios, beard and head, leaving seven locks of hair, by which he fastened him to the chariot.
Having recited thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said, O great king! Shree Krishnù Jee thus treated Rookum; and Buldeo, having slain and put to flight all the armies of the demons, hastened to meet his brother with the same celerity as a white elephant runs about a place, abounding with water lilies, destroying devouring, and scattering about the flowers in great fury. At length he reached the presence of Krishnù; and perceiving that Rookum was bound, addressed Shree Krishnù Jee with great warmth and anger, “What is this you have done in binding your brother-in-law? You cannot leave off your bad habits; you have shown little sense in binding him; and by this act, Krishnù, you have severed the relationship, and brought a stain upon the family of Judoo; who will now connect himself with us? When he came before you to fight, why did you not expostulate with him, and send him back?”
O great king! having thus spoken, Bulram Jee released Rookum; and, having entered into explanations with him, dismissed him with the greatest politeness; and then joining his hands, Bulram, the abode of delight, said to Rookmunee Jee with great humility of manner, “O beauteous Rookmunee! it has not been our fault, that your brother has been subjected to this treatment; it is the recompense of his deeds in a former birth; and it is honourable for Chutrees, and their usual practice to arrange armies, and fight for land, wealth and women with each other; be not displeased at what has happened, but believe what I say, defeat and victory happen to him according to his fate, and this world is a sea of troubles; who from his entrance into it tastes of happiness? but men, being under the influence of delusion, estimate according to their different judgments, and form opinions of good and evil, pain and pleasure, victory and defeat, good and bad fortune. The soul, however, has no sensation of delight or misery, from these things do not vex yourself with the thought of your brother having been disfigured. The wise consider the soul as immortal, and the body as mortal. For this reason, the soul is not affected by any disgrace that happens to the body.”
Having narrated thus much, Shree Shookdeo Jee said to the Raja Pureechit,—O incarnation of justice! when Bulram Jee had thus advised Rookmunee, she having heard and reflected upon what he had said, was ashamed in presence of her husband’s elder brother. In the midst of the army, she said to her husband, “O lord of Bruj! drive on the chariot;” she covered herself with a veil, and spoke sweetly to Huri, “Buldeo is standing before us; O husband! drive on the chariot quickly.”
When Shree Rookmunee Jee had thus spoken, Shree Krishnù Chund Jee directed the chariot towards Dwarka; and Rookum having returned to his own people, and suffering great anxiety, said to them, “I started from Koondulpore with this vow, that I would go and destroy Krishnù and Bulram and all the descendants of Judoo, and bring Rookmunee here, my vow has not been accomplished; and I have instead of performing it, lost my honour; I will not survive this disgrace, but abandoning my country and home, and family and all worldly affairs, will become a religious ascetic, and seek death somewhere.” When Rookum had thus spoken, one of his household said, “O great king! you are a great hero, and very renowned, it was their good fortune to have escaped alive from your hands, they are indebted to the strength of their fate for this escape, otherwise, what enemy could encounter you, and escape alive? You are possessed of great understanding; why, therefore, do you think of pursuing such a course as you have mentioned? Sometimes defeat occurs, and sometimes victory, but it is the attribute of the brave and resolute not to lose confidence. Suppose your enemy has escaped to-day, we will destroy him some other time.” When he had thus advised him, Rookum replied, “I have been defeated by them, and my good name is gone, and I am most heartily ashamed; may I die, if I return to Koondulpore, but I will establish some other village.”
Having thus spoken, he peopled a city with inhabitants, to which he conveyed his children, wife and wealth. He named it Bhojkutoo; in this manner Rookum established a village.
O great king! Rookum dwelt there, being at enmity with the Raja Bheekmuk; and Shree Krishnù Chund and Buldeo Jee proceeded on their journey and arrived near Dwarka. The inhabitants of the city received intimation of their approach by the dust, caused by their chariots, which reached the sky. When they knew that Huri was coming, they completely arranged and prepared the city for his reception. Its beauty equalled that of the three worlds, who can attempt to describe it; at that time there were rejoicings in every house. Pillars of plantain were fixed at each entrance, golden water-pots filled with water and sprouts, were placed in every direction; flags and banners waved; garlands and wreaths of flowers were fastened in different places, and crowds of women were standing in every market, road and cross-road, holding lamps with four wicks; and the Raja Oogursen, accompanied by all the descendants of Judoo, advancing in musical procession to meet them according to the prescribed forms and ceremonies, escorted Bulram, the abode of pleasure, and Shree Krishnù Chund, the root of joy, to the city. The beauty of the scene baffles description; all the inhabitants, both men and women, were delighted. They came into the presence of Krishnù and presented their offerings. And the women sang songs of rejoicing at the gates and doors of their houses, and from sheds and house-tops, and performing the ceremony “Arta,” showered down flowers. Shree Krishnù Chund and Buldeo Jee displayed towards all great fascination of manner, and delighted them greatly; and progressing in this manner, they arrived at the palace and took up their abode there. Some days afterwards, Shree Krishnù Jee went one day to the royal court, where Rajas Oogursen, Soorsen, Basoodeo and all the grandees of the family of Judoo were sitting; and, having made a salutation, said, in their presence, “O great kings! it is called a devil’s marriage, if a man carry off a woman, after having gained a victory in battle.”
On hearing these words, Soorsen Jee sent for a family priest; and explaining to him said, “Fix a day for Shree Krishnù’s marriage.” He immediately drew forth an almanac, and having decided upon a favourable month, day, time, constellation and an auspicious period with respect to the sun and moon, fixed upon a day for the marriage. Raja Oogursen then gave the order to his ministers to collect all necessary materials, and make preparations for the marriage; and sitting down wrote letters of invitation to the members of the family of Koroo and Judoo, and all Rajas, far and near; and despatched them by the hands of brahmins. O great king! all the Rajas were highly gratified at receiving the letters of invitation; and started off, accompanied by brahmins, pundits, bards and beggars.
When Raja Bheekmuk received intelligence of these events, he delivered over to a brahmin many dresses, arms, ornaments, studded with gems, chariots, elephants, horses and male and female servants, sedan chairs; and, having made a vow in his mind respecting the giving his daughter in marriage, with very great humility, sent off all the different presents to Dwarka. The Rajas of the different countries came, and the brahmin also arrived, whom the Raja Bheekmuk had despatched with presents. The beautiful appearance of Dwarka at that time cannot be described. When at length the marriage-day came, after having gone through all the prescribed forms and ceremonies, they conducted the bride to a building, erected for the occasion, and adorned with flowers, and placed her upon a seat; and all the great chiefs and members of the family of Judoo came, and sat there also, at that time, pundits recited the Vedas; Huri circled round with Rookmunee. Drums and other musical instruments resounded; the delighted gods rained down flowers. Demi-gods, saints, bards and celestial musicians were all spectators from the sky. The wives of the gods, ascending their chariots; and collecting together, and stooping down, all sang songs of rejoicing. Taking hold of Rookmunee by the hand, Krishnù circled her round, and seated her on his left. They untied the knot, and re-turned the board used for sitting on at meals, and then performed pooja to the family Devee. Huri, unloosing Rookmunee’s bracelet, joined with her in the sport of eating milk, boiled rice and sugar together. The lord of the universe was highly delighted; all the spectators were filled with joy, and pronounced benedictions: “May the marriage of Huri and Rookmunee last long, whose natures have imbibed the spirit of nectar.” They gave presents to all the brahmins, who came; and robes of honour to the bards and panegyrists; and, having allowed them to take leave, had all the Rajas of the different countries escorted back.
Having recited thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—O great king! whoever shall read or hear of the actions of Huri and Rookmunee; and, having heard and read, shall remember them, will obtain religion, absolution from sin and celebrity. Moreover, whatever benefits are to be gained by the sacrifice of a horse and other sacrifices; by the gift of a cow and other gifts; by bathing in the Ganges and other holy bathing places; by going on a pilgrimage to Prag and other holy spots; will be bestowed on hearing and reciting this history.
Shree Shookdeo Jeesaid, O great king! one day Shree Muhadeo Jee was sitting in his house in a state of religious meditation, when Ramdeo came suddenly, and annoyed him; and his thoughts wandered from Huri; and, being without knowledge, he began to indulge in amorous dalliance with Parbutee Jee. When, after having sported some time, his intellect returned to Shivù, he was filled with anger, and burnt Ramdeo to ashes. When Shivù had burnt the powerful Ramdeo, Ruti lost all firmness. Without her husband, she was in a state of great agitation; and became weak and restless. The wife of Ramdeo wandered about, rolling on the ground: and calling on her husband, embraced the ground. Observing that she was much distressed at the loss of her husband, Parbutee thus addressed her, “O Ruti! be not sad, but listen while I mention how your husband will be restored again to you. He will first be born in the house of Shree Krishnù Chund, and his name will be Purdiyomun. Afterwards, a demon, named Sunbur, will carry him off, and set him adrift in the sea; having after this come into the belly of a fish, he will appear in the food of Sunbur: go, and take up your abode there, and when your husband arrives, take him and bring him up; eventually he shall slay Sunbur, and, having taken you to Dwarka, shall live there happily with you.” O great king! the wife of Shivù thus advised Ruti, who, having recovered her spirits, came to the house of Sunbur, and took up her abode in his cook-room, and night and day, was in anxious expectation of the arrival of her husband.
Having narrated thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—Raja! Ruti, in expectation of meeting with her husband, began thus to take up her abode in the kitchen of Sunbur; and Rookmunee became pregnant; and after the full period of ten months, was delivered of a son. Having obtained intelligence of this event, the astrologers came; and having determined upon the proper moment, said to Basoodeo Jee, “O great king! on beholding the favourable planet of this child, we are of opinion, that he will be equal to Shree Krishnù Chund Jee in beauty, qualities of mind and strength: but during his childhood, he will dwell in water; and hereafter, having slain his enemy, will return.”
Having thus spoken, the astrologers named him Purdiyomun, and receiving presents took leave; and in the house of Basoodeo, the usual forms and ceremonies were observed, and there were festive rejoicings. Narud Jee, the sage, after this went to Sunbur, and, having entered into an explanation with him, said, “Why are you asleep at this time; are you without all thought?” He enquired the reason of the question, and Narud replied, “Thy enemy, named Purdiyomun, one of the descents upon earth of Ramdeo, has been born in the house of Shree Krishnù Chund Jee.”
Raja! Narud Jee having thus informed and put Sunbur on his guard, departed, and Sunbur having reflected, and thought over the subject in his mind, determined upon this plan,—“In the form of air I will go, and will bring him away with me thence, and will launch him into the sea, in order that the troubles of my mind may be quieted; and that I may live, free from alarm.” Having formed this resolution, Sunbur went thence in an invisible shape, and arrived at the abode of Shree Krishnù Chund, where Rookmunee Jee was nursing and suckling the infant in her chamber; and having silently made all his secret arrangements, stood there. When Rookmunee’s hand was withdrawn from the child, the demon spread his delusive power, and carried off the infant, so as that not one of all the women sitting there knew or saw whether any one had come, and how the child had been carried off. Rookmunee was very much frightened, when she did not see her child, and began to weep. On hearing her lamentations, all the descendants of Judoo, male and female, gathered together, and discoursing variously amongst themselves, were in a state of great anxiety. In the meanwhile Narud Jee came and explained to them, “Be not apprehensive on account of the disappearance of the child; there is not the slightest cause for fear. The child will go to some other place, but death will not affect it; and when his childhood is passed, he will return to you with a very beautiful wife.”
O great king! when Narud, the sage, had thus explained the course of events, the descendants of Judoo reflected on what he had said; and on his taking leave, became satisfied, and tranquil in mind. Be pleased now to listen to the progress of the history, how Sunbur, having carried off Purdiyomun, cast him into the sea. A fish swallowed him, and was swallowed by another large fish. A fisherman came and throwing a net into the sea, caught the fish. On drawing the net, and seeing the fish, the fisherman was much pleased, and brought it home and subsequently made a present of it to Raja Sunbur, who sent it to his kitchen. When the cook cut open the fish another fish came forth; and on ripping open its belly, a very beautiful child of a black colour made its appearance. The cook was greatly astonished, and took away the child, and gave it to Ruti, who was highly delighted at receiving it. When Sunbur heard of it, he sent for Ruti, and said to her, “Bring up this child with the greatest care.”
On hearing these words, Ruti brought the child to her own house. Narud Jee then came and said to Ruti, “Bring up this child with the greatest care, as it is your husband, who has appeared in the form of Purdiyomun. He will destroy Sunbur, and take you hence, passing his childhood here.” Having divulged thus much of the future, Narud, the sage, departed; and Ruti began to bring up the infant with the greatest care and affection. As the child grew up, Ruti became desirous of meeting with her husband. Sometimes, whilst looking at him, she clasped him with affection to her bosom; and sometimes kissing his eyes, mouth and cheeks, she smilingly clung to his neck, and thus said, “Krishnù has contrived this lucky circumstance, and I have found my husband in a fish;” and O great king! she brought milk for him, and gave it to him in a fond, affectionate manner; and dandled him in her arms, singing his praises, and lovingly calling him “husband.” When Purdiyomun was five years old, Ruti dressed him in all kinds of dresses and ornaments to satisfy the longings of her mind, and gratify her eyes. When the child laid hold of the hem of her garment, and began to call her “mother,” she replied laughingly, “O husband! what are you saying? I am your wife, think and reflect upon this. Parbutee Jee told me to dwell in the house of Sunbur; and that my husband should be born in the house of Shree Krishnù Chund Jee, and should come to me in the belly of a fish. And Narud Jee told me not to be sad, and that I should recover my husband. From that time I have been in expectation of meeting with you, and have abode here, my hopes have been realized by your coming.”
Having thus spoken, Ruti instructed her husband in the science of archery. When he had acquired a perfect knowledge, she one day said to him, “Husband! we ought not to stay here any longer, because your mother, Shree Rookmunee Jee, is as uneasy without you as a cow without its calf, you ought, therefore, to slay the demon Sunbur; and, taking me with you, return to Dwarka to your parents, and make them happy; for they have a most ardent desire to see you.”
Having narrated these circumstances, Shree Shookdeo Jee said to the Raja,—O great king! listening in this manner to the discourses of Ruti, when Purdiyomun had grown up, he went one day playing to the Raja Sunbur. On beholding him, and regarding him as his own son he said, fondling him, “I have brought this child up as my own son.” On hearing these words, Purdiyomun Jee replied with very great anger, “I, though a child, am your enemy; fight with me now, and see my strength.” Having thus spoken, he came forward, striking his arms in preparation for the encounter; upon this Sunbur laughed, and began to say, “Brother! whence has this other Purdiyomun come here on my account? What, have I fed with milk, and nourished a snake, that he should thus speak to me?” After this, he again said, “Son! why do you talk thus? Has the messenger of death come to take you away.”
O great king, on hearing these words from Sunbur, he replied, “Purdiyomun is my name: fight with me to-day. You it was, who set me adrift in the sea; but I have now returned to take my revenge. You have brought up the instrument of your death in your own house; and I am neither your son, nor are you my father.”
On hearing this, Sunbur seized his weapons, the passions of his mind being greatly inflamed with rage, like a person, who has trodden on a snake’s tail in the dark. Sunbur sent for all his army, and taking Purdiyomun outside, he, in great fury, raised a club, and said in a voice of thunder, “Let us see, who will now save you from death.” When he rushed towards him, and brandished the club, Purdiyomun Jee easily evaded and parried his attacks. Being furious with rage he then discharged arrows of fire, which he quenched with arrows of water. Sunbur in great wrath then expended all the weapons he had and Purdiyomun warded them off. When he had not a single weapon left, he rushed forward furiously and grappled with Purdiyomun Jee, and they both began to wrestle. After some time, Purdiyomun flew off with him to the sky, and there cut off his head with a sword; and on his return, slew the army of demons. Sunbur being slain, Ruti was made happy. And at that time, a chariot descended from the sky, on which Ruti and her husband ascended, and went to Dwarka with the same celerity, as a beautiful cloud with lightning flies; and on arriving there, they observed houses of gold, glittering like lofty hills. On descending from the chariot, they both retired at once to the female apartments. All the women were startled at seeing them; and were ashamed, thinking that Shree Krishnù had brought a beautiful woman with him. But no one knew, that it was Purdiyomun; all of them called him Krishnù. When Purdiyomun asked where his father and mother were, Rookmunee Jee began to say to her companions, “Friends! who is this in the likeness of Huri?” They replied, “We think, that this must be a son of Shree Krishnù’s.”
On hearing these words, a stream of milk came forth from the breast of Rookmunee Jee, and her left arm began to shake; and her mind was in a state of fear and agitation for the meeting; but without her husband’s permission, she could not meet him. At that time, Narud Jee came there, and related all the preceding history, and tranquillized the minds of them all; then Rookmunee Jee ran forward, and kissing her son’s head, clasped him to her bosom; and having his marriage celebrated with all due forms and ceremonies, received her son and daughter-in-law into her house. At that time, all the descendants of Judoo, men and women, came and joined in festive rejoicings, and were highly delighted. Songs of congratulation resounded in every house, and happiness was diffused throughout the city of Dwarka.
Having recited thus much of the narrative, Shree Shookdeo Jee said to the Raja Pureechit,—O great king! Purdiyomun having thus been born, having spent his childhood in another place, killed his enemy, and came with Ruti to the city of Dwarka, there was joy and festivity in every house.
Shree Shookdeo Jeesaid,—O great king! Suttrajeet charged Shree Krishnù Chund first with the theft of a jewel; and afterwards, finding his accusation to be false, he was ashamed, and gave his daughter Sutbhama in marriage to Huri. Raja Pureechit enquired from Shree Shookdeo Jee, “O abode of compassion! who was Suttrajeet, where did he obtain the jewel, and how did he accuse Huri of theft, and afterwards finding the charge false, in what manner did he give his daughter in marriage; explain these circumstances to me?” Shree Shookdeo Jee replied,—O great king! be pleased to listen, and I will explain all the circumstances. Suttrajeet belonged to the family of Judoo, who for a long time was engaged in an act of very difficult religious penance in honour of the sun. The sun-god was highly gratified, called him and having given him a jewel, said, “This jewel’s name is Soomuntka, it contains an unbounded power of conferring happiness and wealth; worship it continually, and look upon it as equal to me in power and splendour; if you meditate upon it, having offered up prayers, and performed acts of penance, abstinence and fasting, you shall obtain whatever you ask for; into whatever country, city and house this jewel shall enter, there misery, poverty and death shall not have access. There shall be constant plenty and increase, and prosperity.”
O great king! having thus spoken the sun-god allowed Suttrajeet to take leave; who went home with the jewel. After this, rising, early and performing his morning ablutions, and finishing his religious meditations and libations, he was in the habit of offering adoration to the jewel, with unbroken rice, flowers, sandal, perfumes, lamps and consecrated food; and taking away the eight loads of gold, which came from the jewel, he was delighted.
One day whilst engaged in worship, beholding the beauty and brilliancy of the jewel, he thought to himself,—“It will be a good act to take this jewel and show it to Shree Krishnù Chund.” Having come to this resolution, and fastening the jewel on his arm, Suttrajeet went to the court of the descendants of Judoo. On seeing the brilliancy of the jewel from a distance, the descendants of Judoo stood still with admiration, and began to say to Shree Krishnù Jee, “O great king! the sun is coming here from a longing desire to see you. Bruhmù, Roodrù, Indrù and all the gods worship you; and meditating upon you during the eight puhurs, sing of your celebrity. You are the immortal first male, Vishnù, Luchmee has become your servant, and constantly waits upon you. You are the god of all the gods. No one knows your nature. Your attributes and qualities of mind are limitless; now, O lord! will you be concealed, having come into the world?”
O great king! when the descendants of Judoo began to discourse thus, on seeing Suttrajeet approach, Huri said, “This is not the sun; it is Suttrajeet, one of the family of Judoo, who has obtained a jewel for having performed an act of penance in honour of the sun. Its splendour is equal to that of the sun. He is coming with that jewel, fastened on his arm.”
O great king! whilst Shree Krishnù Jee was thus speaking, Suttrajeet came and sat down in the court, where the descendants of Judoo were playing at “choupur” and dice. The minds of all were fascinated by beholding the brilliant lustre of the jewels, and Shree Krishnù Chund remained also looking at it. Suttrajeet, then, upon something occurring to his mind, took leave, and returned home; and afterwards used constantly to come to the court with the jewel fastened about his neck. One day, the descendants of Judoo said to Huri, “O great king! take the jewel from Suttrajeet, and give it to Raja Oogursen and obtain celebrity in the world. This jewel does not suit him, but is fit for a Raja.”
On hearing this, Shree Krishnù Jee smilingly said to Suttrajeet, “Give this jewel to the Raja, and acquire for yourself a great name and reputation in the world.” On hearing this proposal to give the jewel away, he made an obeisance, and rose up; and, engaged in thought, went to his brother, and said, “Shree Krishnù Jee asked me for the jewel to-day, and I did not give it him.” When Suttrajeet had thus spoken, his brother, Pursen, was angry, and took the jewel, and threw it on his own neck; and arming himself, and mounting a horse, went out hunting. Having gone into an extensive forest, he began to kill various kinds of deer and antelopes with his bow and arrows. A deer having rushed out before him, he was enraged, and pursued it on horseback; and in the course of the pursuit came alone to a large deep cave, which had existed for ages. On hearing the sound of the deer and horse’s feet, a lion came forth from the cave; and killing all three, and carrying off the jewel, went into his cave again. The light was so great in consequence of the jewel coming into the cave, that its rays extended to the infernal regions. A bear, named Jamwunt, that had been with Shree Ramchund in the descent of Ram upon the earth, and had since the Treta age dwelt in the regions below with all his family, seeing that shining light in the cave, rose up; and pursuing his journey came to the lion. Having killed the lion, he carried off the jewel, and went with it to his wife who fastened it in her daughter’s cradle. The child constantly played and amused herself with the jewel, which filled their abode with a perpetual stream of light.
Having recited thus much, Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—O great king! the jewel was thus lost, and such was the fate of Pursen. The people, who had accompanied Pursen, came and said to Suttrajeet, “O great king! he left us, and went off alone, and we have found no trace of where he went. They searched again in consequence of their statements not being believed, but could not find Pursen any where in the forest.”
On hearing this statement, Suttrajeet abstained from all food and drink; and being greatly depressed and troubled in mind began to say to himself, “This is Shree Krishnù’s doing, he has killed my brother for the sake of the jewel, and has carried off the jewel to his own home. First of all he asked me for it; but I did not give it, and he has thus carried it off.” With these thoughts, he passed his time in great anxiety. One night, he was sitting on his wife’s bed, emaciated, low-spirited, silent and deeply engaged in thought, when his wife said to him, “Why are you so thoughtful, husband! tell me your secret anxieties?” Suttrajeet replied, “It is not right to reveal important secrets to a wife, as she cannot keep them; what she hears at home, she publishes abroad; she is ignorant, and without knowledge of any thing, good or bad.”
Suttrajeet’s wife was angry at this speech, and said, “When did I ever publish abroad any thing I heard at home, as you state? Are all women alike?” She added, “Until you mention to me, what is preying upon your mind I will abstain from all sustenance.” Suttrajeet replied, “Truth and falsehood are known to Bhugwan; but I will inform you of what I am thinking, provided you will not tell any one.” His wife assented. Suttrajeet began to say, “One day Shree Krishnù Jee asked me for the jewel, and I did not give it, I, therefore, think that he has killed my brother in the forest, and taken away the jewel; this must have been done by him, as no one else has the power to perform such an act.”
Having proceeded thus far in the narrative, Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—O great king! his wife did not sleep after hearing this account, and passed the night in great perplexity of mind. Early in the morning, she said to her female companions and servants, “Shree Krishnù Jee has killed Pursen, and taken away the jewel, I heard this from my husband last night, but do not mention it to any one.” They went away silently agreeing not to speak of the matter; but in private, began to talk to each other, in astonishment, upon the subject. At length one of the servants went and mentioned the subject in the female apartments of Shree Krishnù Chund. On hearing it, all the women thought, that if Suttrajeet’s wife had said so, the statement could not be false; and having formed this opinion, they began to blame, and speak ill of, Shree Krishnù. In the mean while, some one came, and said to Shree Krishnù Jee, “You are under a suspicion, O great king! of having killed Pursen, and taken away the jewel; why are you sitting idle? You should adopt some measures to counteract these statements.” On hearing this statement, Shree Krishnù Jee was at first frightened; afterwards, reflecting on the subject, he came to the court, where Oogursen and Basoodeo and Bulram were sitting, and said, “O great king! I am accused of having killed Pursen, and carried off the jewel; I will, therefore, with your permission, go and search for them both, in order that this disgrace may be wiped away.”
Having thus spoken, Shree Krishnù Jee went thence to the forest, taking with him several of the descendants of Judoo, and the companions of Pursen. When they had gone some distance, they saw marks of horse’s feet, on tracing which, they reached the spot where a lion had devoured Pursen and his horse. On seeing the remains of their bodies, and the marks of a lion’s feet, they were all of opinion, that the lion must have killed them. Thinking thus, and not having obtained the jewel, Shree Krishnù Chund went, accompanied by them all, to that deep, dark and terrible cave. At the entrance, he saw a lion lying dead, but did not find the jewel there. On beholding this strange sight, they all said to Shree Krishnù Jee, “O great king! whence has such a powerful animal come into this forest, as to be able to kill a lion, and carry off the jewel into the cave? Adopt measures immediately against him. You have made all necessary search, and have obliterated all the suspicions, that were raised against you, the disgrace is now upon the lion’s head.” Shree Krishnù Jee said, “Come let us go into the cave, and see who has killed the lion, and taken away the jewel.” They all replied, “O great king! we are terrified at beholding the mouth of the cave; how shall we be able to enter it? Moreover, we beseech you also, not to go into this frightful cavern, let us return home; we will all say in the city, that a lion killed Pursen, and carried off the jewel; and that some animal killed the lion, and went into a deep and very terrible cave with the jewel. We all saw this with our own eyes.” Shree Krishnù Chund replied, “My mind is intent upon the jewel, and I will go into the cave alone; in ten days, I will return, stay here that time; and if I delay beyond that time, return home, and give information of the matter.” O great king! having thus spoken, Huri entered that dark, frightful cave, and pursuing his journey arrived at the place, where Jamwunt was sleeping, and his wife rocking her daughter in a cradle of chalk. On beholding Krishnù, she called out through fear, and Jamwunt awoke, and making a rush, grappled Krishnù, and they both began to wrestle. When neither his stratagems nor strength succeeded against Huri, he began to reflect and say, “Luchmun Ram is my equal in strength, who else in the world is so powerful as to be able to fight with me?” O great king! Jamwunt having thus reflected, and meditating upon Krishnù, shrunk back with joined hands, and said, “O Rugoonath! appear to me, I know you to be acquainted with the secrets of the heart, and recognize you by beholding your exploits. You have done well in descending upon the earth; remove the burthens of the world. I have dwelt here since the Treta age. Narud has told me your history; that Krishnù would come here for the jewel, and then he will appear to you.”
Having narrated thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said to the Raja Pureechit,—Raja! When Jamwunt, having recognised Krishnù, spoke thus, Shree Moorari, the friend of his worshippers, beholding the attachment of Jamwunt, was delighted; and assuming the appearance of Ram, appeared to him with a bow and arrows, and Jamwunt, having prostrated himself so as to touch the ground with the eight principal parts of his body, stood up; and joining his hands said, with the greatest humility, “O sea of compassion and brother of the poor! with your permission, I will explain my wishes.” Krishnù granted permission. Then Jamwunt said, “O purifier of the guilty and lord of the poor! it is the wish of my mind to give you this damsel, Jamwutee, in marriage, and obtain celebrity and greatness in the world by so doing.” Bhugwan replied, “If such is your desire, it is acceptable to me.” When Krishnù had thus spoken, Jamwunt took sandal, unbroken rice, flowers, perfumes, lamps and consecrated food, and worshipped him; and afterwards married his daughter to him in the manner, and with the ceremonies prescribed by the Vedas, giving her the jewel as a part of her dowry.
Having related thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo, the sage, said,—Raja! Shree Krishnù Chund, the root of joy, taking with him Jamwutee and the jewel, came forth from the cave. And now be pleased to listen to what befel the descendants of Judoo, and companions of Pursen and Shree Krishnù, who were standing at the mouth of the cave. When twenty-eight days had elapsed and Huri did not return, they went thence, devoid of all hope; and came to Dwarka, troubled with all kinds of perplexing thoughts, and shedding tears. The descendants of Judoo were very much alarmed at the intelligence they brought; and calling on the name of Shree Krishnù, and suffering great affliction, they began to weep and lament; and there was mourning in all the female apartments. At length, all the women being much agitated, emaciated and in low spirits, went forth from the palace, and weeping violently came to a temple of Devee, distant about a coss outside the city. Having worshipped and propitiated Devee, joining their hands and bowing their heads, they began to say, “O Devee! gods, men and sages, all meditate upon thee, and receive from thee whatever boon they ask, tell us, when will Shree Krishnù Chund, the root of joy, come?”
O great king! all the women sat down at the entrance of the temple, and continued imploring Devee; Oogursen, Basoodeo, Buldeo and the other descendants of Judoo were sitting in a state of great anxiety, when Shree Krishnù, the immortal, the dweller in Dwarka, smiling and bringing Jamwutee with him, came and stood in the royal court; all were delighted at beholding the moon-like face of Krishnù. And on hearing the good news of his arrival, all the women having worshipped Devee, returned home; and began to engage in festive rejoicings.
Having narrated thus much, Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—O great king! Shree Krishnù Jee, sitting in the court, sent for Suttrajeet, and, having given him the jewel, said, “I did not take away this jewel, and you suspected me falsely. Jamwunt took away this jewel, and has given it to me, together with his daughter.” Taking the jewel, Suttrajeet went away, bowing his head, and thoughtful:—“I have committed a great crime against Huri, and ignorantly abused his family; I have cast a slur and suspicion on the lord of the Judoos, and have shown great enmity to him for the sake of the jewel. I must now endeavour to atone for my fault, and give the jewel, Sutbhama, to Krishnù.” With these thoughts in his mind, Suttrajeet went home with the jewel, depressed in spirits, and explained all his anxieties to his wife. His wife said, “O husband! this is a good thought of yours. Give Sutbhama to Shree Krishnù, and obtain celebrity in the world.”
On hearing these words, Suttrajeet sent for a brahmin; and having fixed upon a favourable rising of a sign of the zodiack, and a division of time equal to forty-eight minutes, and placing on a dish a coloured mixture for the forehead, unbroken rice, a rupee and a cocoanut, sent the nuptial gifts to Shree Krishnù Chund by the hands of the family priest. Shree Krishnù Jee came to the marriage with great pomp and splendour, wearing a high crowned hat. Then Suttrajeet, having observed all the usual forms and ceremonies, gave his daughter in marriage according to the injunctions of the Vedas, and having bestowed great wealth upon her, added the jewel also to her dowry. On beholding the jewel, Shree Krishnù Jee drew it forth, and said, “This jewel is of no use to me, because you have obtained it for having performed a penance in honour of the sun. Keep this in your own house, as my family do not accept the things bestowed by other gods, with exception of Bhugwan.”
O great king! when Shree Krishnù Chund had thus spoken, Suttrajeet took the jewel, and was ashamed, and Shree Krishnù Jee returned home in musical procession with Sutbhama, and lived happily with her in the royal palace. The Raja Pureechit interrupted Shree Shookdeo Jee in this part of the story, and enquired, “O abode of compassion! kindly explain, why the suspicion and calumny of the theft were fastened upon Shree Krishnù Jee?” Shookdeo Jee replied, Raja! Mohun had seen the moon, when it was four days old in the month of Bhadon; and hear me, whoever, having heard this history, shall see the moon when four days old in the month of Bhadon, shall escape unblemished.
Shree Shookdeo Jeesaid,—O great king! I will now describe how Sutdhunwa killed Suttrajeet, and, taking away the jewel, and giving it to Akroor, fled from Dwarka, listen with attention. The son of the blind Dritrasht (Doorjodhun) invited the Pandoos, and gave them beds in his house; at midnight, he surrounded the house with flames.
On hearing of this circumstance, the two brothers were greatly grieved and perplexed; and ordered the charioteer, Daruk, to bring their chariot, mounting which, they went to Hustinapoor, and descending entered the court of the Roroos, and there beheld them all sitting, emaciated and low-spirited; Doorjodhun was thoughtful; Bheekmuk was shedding tears; Dritrasht was in great affliction, and tears were even falling from the eyes of Dronacharuj; Bidooruth Jee was greatly dispirited, and Gundharee was sitting near him. And the other wives of the Roroos, thinking of the Pandoos, continued to weep and the whole court was sad.
O great king! seeing this state of affairs, Shree Krishnù and Bulram Jee went and sat near them, and made enquiries regarding the Pandoos: but all remained silent, and would not divulge any thing.
Having narrated thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said to the Raja Pureechit,—O great king! Shree Krishnù and Bulram Jee, having heard of the burning of the Pandoos went to Hustinapoor; and there was in Dwarka a member of the family of Judoo, named Sutdhunwa, to whom Sutbhama had been first betrothed. Akroor and Krutbruma went together to him and both said to him, “Shree Krishnù and Bulram have gone to Hustinapoor; now is your opportunity, take your revenge upon Suttrajeet; because he has acted very wrongly towards you, in having given a girl, who was betrothed to you, to Shree Krishnù; and, in having abused you; there is no one here now to assist him.”
On hearing these words, Sutdhunwa rose in great wrath; and, having gone in the night to the house of Suttrajeet, called out; and at length, having by stratagem and force, put him to death, carried away the jewel. After this Sutdhunwa, sitting alone in his house, began to reflect, and to say to himself with regret, “By listening to Akroor’s counsel, I have made an enemy of Krishnù; Krutbruma and Akroor both came here, and advised me. If a good man speaks deceitfully, what control can any one have over him?”
O great king! whilst Sutdhunwa, thus regretting, repeatedly exclaimed, “No one has power over the future; the events of fate are not known by any one;” the wife of Suttrajeet, on beholding her husband lying dead, embraced his corpse, and wept and poured forth lamentations.
On hearing her cries, all her relations, male and female, speaking in a very confused, disjointed manner, began to shed tears and strike their bodies; and there was mourning in the whole house. Having heard of the death of her father Sutbhama came to where her father was lying; and having offered them all advice and consolation, and washed her father’s corpse in oil, sent for her chariot, and ascending it, went off to Shree Krishnù Chund, the root of joy, and arrived after a journey of a day and night. Huri rose on seeing her, and enquired, whether all was well at home. Sutbhama replied, joining her hands, “How can things go on well without you, O lord of the Judoos! Sutdhunwa has brought calamity on me, by killing my father, and carrying off the jewel; your father-in-law’s corpse is preserved in oil. Remove all my griefs.”
Having thus spoken, Sutbhama Jee stood before Shree Krishnù and Buldeo Jee, and exclaiming “Alas, father! alas, father!” began to weep, and groan bitterly. On hearing her cries, Shree Krishnù and Bulram were at first very sad; and began, after the manner of the world, to shed tears. Afterwards, having consoled and comforted Sutbhama, they brought her thence with them to Dwarka.
Shree Shookdeo Jee said, O great king! on coming to Dwarka, Shree Krishnù Chund, perceiving that Sutbhama was very much grieved, made her a promise, and said, “O beautiful Sutbhama! be of good cheer, and banish all anxiety, what was to happen, has happened; but I will now destroy Sutdhunwa, and revenge your father’s death, and afterwards perform other acts.”
On the arrival of Shree Krishnù, Sutdhunwa was greatly terrified; and, abandoning his home, said to himself, “At the suggestion of others, I have made Shree Krishnù Jee my enemy, whose protection shall I now seek?” He went to Krutbruma; and, joining his hands, said with many supplications, “O great king! I have acted by your advice, and Shree Krishnù and Bulram are now enraged against me, I have, therefore, fled and come to seek an asylum with you, appoint me some place to reside in.” Krutbruma replied, “I can do nothing for you; whoever is at enmity with Shree Krishnù Chund, is cut off from the rest of mankind. Did you not know, that Krishnù is very powerful; and that you would be a loser by being at enmity with him? What does it signify, who advised you; why did you not act, with reference to your own strength? It is customary in the world to contract enmities, marriages and friendships with equals. Banish all hope of my being able to do any thing for you, as I am a servant of Shree Krishnù Chund, the root of joy, it does not become me to show enmity to him; go somewhere else for protection.”
Sudhunwa, O great king! was very sad at these words, and went thence to Akroor, joining his hands, bowing his head, supplicating, and expressing great sorrow and regret, he began to say, “Lord! you are the greatest chief among the Judoos; all of them respect and bow their heads to you; you are holy, merciful and resolute; and submitting to afflictions yourself, remove the griefs of others. The shame of having advised me rests with you; grant me your protection, I have done this deed at your suggestion, save me now from the hands of Shree Krishnù.”
Akroor Jee replied, “You are a great fool, in talking thus to me; do you not know that Shree Krishnù Chund is the creator of all men and the dispeller of griefs? How can any one remain in the world, who is at enmity with him? What evil can befal the adviser? The whole affair is now upon your head. There is a saying, ‘That it is the custom of gods, men and sages to form friendships for the furtherance of their own selfish objects.’ And there are many kinds of men in the world, who for the sake of their own interests, advise after various fashions; it is, therefore, advisable for a man not to act according to the opinions of others; but in every affair of life to consider first, what may benefit, and what may do him harm, and then enter upon it. You have premeditatedly done this act; and now there is not any refuge for you in the world. Whoever has shown enmity to Krishnù cannot live; to whatever quarter he may fly, he will be destroyed, I do not wish to die, that I should render you assistance. Life is dear to all men.”
O great king! when Akroor Jee had made this unpalatable speech to Sutdhunwa, he, being devoid of all hope, and giving up all thoughts of life, left the jewel with Akroor; and mounting a chariot, fled from the city. Shree Krishnù and Bulram pursued him in a chariot; and overtook him after a pursuit of four hundred coss. On hearing the sound of their chariot Sutdhunwa was in great alarm; and descending from his chariot, entered the city of Mithila. On seeing him, Krishnù was enraged, and ordered the quoit, Soodursun, to cut off his head, which he did forthwith: and Shree Krishnù Chund went up to him and searched for the jewel; but without success. He then said to Buldeo Jee, “Brother! I have killed Sutdhunwa, and not obtained the jewel.” Bulram replied, “Brother! some great man must have obtained possession of it, who has not brought it and shown it to us. That jewel cannot possibly be concealed; wait a little, and it will turn up somewhere.” Buldeo Jee proceeded to say, “Brother! set out now for Dwarka, and I will go and search for the jewel; which I will bring with me, wherever I may find it.”
Having proceeded thus far in the narrative, Shree Shookdeo Jee said to the Raja Pureechit,—O great king! Shree Krishnù Chund, the root of joy, having killed Sutdhunwa, started for Dwarka; and Bulram, the abode of happiness, set out to search for the jewel. After having searched in various countries, cities and villages, Buldeo Jee went to the city of Ajoodiya. On receiving intelligence of his arrival, Doorjodhun, the Raja of Ajoodiya rose up, and having advanced with presents to meet him, escorted Bulram with music playing, and in silken clothes to his own palace. Having seated him on a throne, and gone through various forms of adoration, he entertained him: and standing in his presence, said, with joined hands and bended head and great humility of manner, “O sea of compassion! please inform me, how you came here?”
O great king! Buldeo Jee, observing his affection, was delighted, and explained all the particulars of his journey. After hearing the account, Raja Doorjodhun said, “Lord! no one will be able to keep that jewel concealed: it will be manifested of itself at some time or other.” He again said, with joined hands, “O kind to the poor! great is my good fortune in having obtained a sight of you at my own home, and having thereby obliterated the sins of every preceding birth. Do me the kindness now to gratify your servant’s desire; and, remaining here some days, make me your pupil, and obtain celebrity in the world by instructing me in the art of fighting with clubs.”
O great king! having heard this speech, Bulram Jee made Doorjodhun his pupil; and, staying a few days, instructed him in the science of fighting with the club; but although he made search throughout the city, he did not find the jewel. Some days after the arrival of Shree Krishnù Chund at Dwarka, Bulram arrived also; when having taken all the Judoos with him, and brought forth Suttrajeet’s corpse from the oil, Shree Krishnù Chund Jee made a purification of fire and lighted the funeral pile with his own hands. When Shree Krishnù Jee had performed the funeral obsequies, Akroor and Krutbruma, consulting with each other, went to Shree Krishnù; and, having taken him aside and shown him the jewel, said, “O great king! the Judoos have become impious, and fascinated by riches, they have become blinded by wealth, and given up all thought and meditation and memory of you. If they were now to suffer some affliction, they would return to your service. We will, therefore, take away the jewel and fly from the city; and when we have revived in them the adoration and memory of you, we will return to Dwarka.” Akroor and Krutbruma, with all their relations, fled from Dwarka at midnight, with the knowledge of Shree Krishnù, and no one knew in what direction they had gone. Early in the morning, there was a report throughout the city, that they had gone off somewhere during the night; but no one knew where and what was the cause of their going.