Having recited thus much, Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—O great king! this was a constant and general topic of conversation in the city; whilst on the other hand, Akroor Jee first went to Prag, and, having caused himself to be shaved, bathed at the confluence of the three sacred rivers, and presented many gifts; and having performed many acts of charity, built a ghaut in honour of Huri, and went to Gyah; there, sitting on the bank of the river Phulgoo, they performed funeral obsequies in the manner prescribed by the Shastrùs; and, having feasted the brahmins of Gyah, gave many gifts. Having afterwards visited a temple of Vishnù, they went thence to the city of Kasi. Hearing of their arrival, all the neighbouring Rajas came with presents to meet them; and they remained there offering sacrifices and presents, and performing acts of penance and fasting.
Some days having elapsed, Shree Moorari, the friend of his worshippers, determined to send for Akroor Jee; and coming to Bulram, said, “Brother! bring some calamity on the inhabitants of the city, and send for Akroor.” Buldeo replied, “O great king! do whatever is most agreeable to yourself, and confer happiness on virtuous men.” When Bulram had thus spoken, Shree Krishnù Chund caused fevers and diseases of all kinds to rage in the city of Dwarka.
During four months, there was no rain; in consequence of which, all the rivers, nullahs and tanks of the city were dried up: grass and grain were not produced; birds, fishes, beasts and all animals with life and cattle were greatly distressed, and died of drought. The inhabitants of the city, through hunger, began to raise cries to heaven for deliverance. At length, all the male and female population were in a state of the greatest consternation; and came to Shree Krishnù Chund, the extirpator of grief; and imploring him earnestly and beseeching him with the utmost humility, began to say, with joined hands, and bowing their heads, “We have come to you to seek an asylum; how shall we be able to endure our great calamities? We are sorely afflicted from the want of rain; why has Bruhmù brought this disaster upon us?” They proceeded to say, “O compassionate lord of Dwarka! you are our creator and dispeller of our griefs; to whom else shall we go and address our petitions? Whence has this misery fallen upon us, whilst we were living quietly at our homes, and why has it happened, kindly explain to us?”
Shree Shookdeo, the sage said,—O great king! on hearing these words, Shree Krishnù Chund replied, “Famine, misery and distress make their entrance into every city, which holy men have abandoned. Since Akroor Jee has departed hence, you have endured this state of calamity. Where holy men, lovers of truth and servants of Huri dwell, there evil and want, and misfortune cannot exist. Indrù has a friendship for the worshippers of Huri; and, therefore, rain falls plentifully in the cities where they dwell.”
All the Judoos exclaimed, “O great king! you have spoken truly: this thought had occurred to us also, because Akroor’s father’s name is Soophulluk, and he too is a very holy, truth-loving and just man. Where he dwells, there distress, poverty and famine have no existence; but rain falls frequently, in consequence of which, the seasons are prosperous and abundant. At one time, there was a terrible famine in the city of Kasi, when the Raja thereof sent for Soophulluk. O great king! on the arrival of Soophulluk, rain fell copiously, and as much as was desired; and there was a plenteous season, and an end to all their misery. After this, the Raja of Kasi gave his daughter in marriage to Soophulluk, who dwelt there happily. This Raja’s daughter’s name was Gadinka, whose son Akroor is.” They went on to say, “O great king! we were aware of this before, and will now do whatever you order.”
Shree Krishnù Chund replied, “Behave with the greatest respect to Akroor Jee, and bring him back here, wherever you may find him.”
On receiving this injunction, the Judoos went forth in a body to search for Akroor; and pursuing their search, arrived at the city of Baransee, (Benares). Having had a meeting with Akroor Jee, and presented gifts, they stood before him with joined hands, and bending their heads forward said, “Return home, O lord! Bulram and Krishnù have sent for you: the inhabitants of the city have been troubled during your absence. Where you are, there happiness dwells, and where you are not, calamity and distress take up their abode. A grievous famine has fallen upon the city, although Shree Gopal (Krishnù) dwelt there. The husband of Luchmee (Vishnù) is subservient to holy men; from them, all mortals derive wealth and happiness.”
O great king! on hearing these words, Akroor Jee rose up to depart in great agitation; and arrived, after some days, at Dwarka, accompanied by his relations, Krutbruma, and the members of the family of Judoo, with music playing during the journey.
Having received news of his arrival, and going out to meet him, Shree Krishnù and Bulram escorted him to the city with the greatest dignity and honour. O Raja! rain fell on the entrance of Akroor Jee into the city, and there was abundance. All the distress and want that had been raging, disappeared. Akroor was greatly exalted; and the inhabitants of Dwarka began to rejoice and indulge in festivities.
On a subsequent day, Shree Krishnù Chund, the root of joy, sent for Akroor Jee, and taking him aside said, “What have you done with Suttrajeet’s jewel?” He replied, “I still have it.” Krishnù said, “Restore it to its owner; and if he should not be alive, make it over to his son. If there should not be a son, give it to his wife: and if there should not be a wife, give it to his brother: and if there should not be a brother, give it to a relation: in default of relations, give it to his spiritual preceptor’s son: and if there should not be a son of the spiritual preceptor, give it to a brahmin. But do not receive yourself any man’s wealth. This is equity; wherefore, it is right that you give the jewel to Suttrajeet’s grandson, and obtain a great name in the world by doing so.”
O great king! when Shree Krishnù Chund had thus spoken, Akroor Jee took the jewel, and placing it before Krishnù, joining his hands said in a very supplicating manner, “O lord of the poor! be pleased to accept this jewel yourself, and forgive my fault; because I have expended in the course of my pilgrimage the gold which the jewel yielded.” Krishnù assented, and went and presented the jewel to Sutbhama, and removed all the anxieties of her mind.
Shree Shookdeo Jeesaid,—O great king! one day Shree Krishnù Chund, the brother of the world, the root of joy, determined to go and see whether the Pandoos had escaped alive from the conflagration. Huri started from Dwarka with several of the descendants of Judoo, and went to Hustinapoor. On hearing the news of his arrival, Joodisthur, Urjoon, Bheem, Nukool and Suhdeo, five brothers, rose up with the greatest delight; and, having gone outside the city, and met Krishnù with a most cordial reception, escorted him to their house. As they were entering the house, Koontee and Dropudee summoned seven married women: and having filled up a square with pearls, placed a chair of gold upon it, upon which they seated Shree Krishnù. Having caused all kinds of festive rejoicings to be made, they performed the ceremony of “Arta” with their own hands; and washing his feet, they conducted him to the banquetting room, and feasted him with all sorts of delicacies.
O great king! when Shree Krishnù Chund had finished his repast, and began to eat betel, Koontee sat next him, and entering into conversation enquired after her father and brother: “Are Soorsen and Basoodeo, my brother, and my nephew, Buldeo, well? in whom my soul is bound up; who, except you, can drive away affliction and grief? You afforded me protection, when great calamity befel me. O Krishnù! you are the dispeller of the sorrows of others: your five brothers fly to you for refuge; as the doe dreads a herd of wolves, so do Doorjodhun’s subjects dread him.”
O great king! when Koontee had thus spoken, Joodisthur joined his hands and said, “You, O Krishnù! are chief and lord of the Judoos. Devotees meditate constantly upon you, and not upon Shivù and Bruhmù. What meritorious act have I performed, that you have visited me in my own house. Gratify me by remaining four months, and return home after the rainy season.”
Having recited thus much, Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—O great king! on hearing these words, Shree Beharee, the friend of his worshippers, having inspired them all with hope and confidence, remained there; and added daily to their joy and delight. One day, Shree Krishnù Chund taking a bow and arrows in his hand, went in a chariot to hunt in the forest, accompanied by the five brothers; and on arrival there, dismounting from his chariot, and fastening his belt, prepared to shoot his arrows; and, beating the jungle, began to kill lions, tigers, rhinoceroses, wild buffaloes, and deer and antelopes of different kinds; and brought all his game to the Raja Joodisthur, who distributed some of it, and sent some for the supply of his own table. Whilst Shree Krishnù Chund and Urjoon were engaged in sport, they advanced some distance beyond the rest of the party, and stood under a tree. They then both went to the banks of a river, and drank some water. At this time Shree Krishnù Jee saw on the river-bank a very beautiful young virgin, with a face like the moon, of the colour of the flower chumpa, with eyes like those of a deer, a voice like the kokila, the gait of an elephant and a waist like a lion’s; ornamented from head to foot, having imbibed the spirit of Kamù (Cupid,) of a most brilliant appearance, wandering about alone. Huri was amazed and struck with astonishment at beholding her, and said, “Who is that beautiful creature, with such a charming figure, wandering about without a companion?”
O great king! when Krishnù had thus spoken, Urjoon, who saw her also, ran hurriedly to the spot, where the lovely girl was wandering about, exulting on the river-bank, and began to address her, “Say, beauteous damsel, who art thou, and whence hast thou come, and why art thou wandering here alone? Explain this strange mystery to me.” On hearing these words, the beautiful girl explained her history, “I am a virgin daughter of the sun, my name is Kalindee; my father appointed me an abode in water. He came and having built for me a house in the river, thus instructed me, ‘Continue wandering, O daughter! near the river, where you will meet with a husband. Krishnù will descend upon the earth in the family of Judoo, and will come after you to the place of your wandering, the first male, the immortal Huri, for whom you have been born.’ From the time my father, the sun, thus spoke to me, I have longed for the approach of Huri.”
Urjoon, O great king! was very much pleased to hear these words, and said, “O beauteous creature! the immortal lord, the inhabitant of Dwarka, Shree Krishnù Chund, the root of joy, for whose sake thou art wandering here, has arrived.” When Urjoon, O great king! had thus spoken, Shree Beharee, the friend of his worshippers, came up in his chariot. When, on beholding Krishnù, Urjoon explained her history to him, Shree Krishnù Chund Jee smiled, and quickly placing her upon his chariot, returned towards the city. And Bishookurma, consulting privately the taste and wishes of Shree Krishnù Chund, built a most beautiful palace, whilst Krishnù was coming from the forest to the city: and brought Kalindee there, and abode there himself. Sometime after this, on one occasion Shree Krishnù Chund and Urjoon were sitting together at night, when the element fire having come, said to Huri, joining his hands and bowing his head, “O great king! I have wandered about the whole world for a long time in a state of hunger, and have not obtained any thing to eat. My only hope is in you: with your permission, I will go and devour the forests and jungles.” Krishnù granted him permission. Fire then said, “O lord of compassion! I cannot go into the jungle alone: if I do, Indrù will come and extinguish me.” On hearing this, Shree Krishnù Jee said to Urjoon, “Brother! go and allow Fire to eat some food: he is dying from excessive hunger.”
O great king! when Shree Krishnù Chund Jee had thus spoken, Urjoon accompanied Fire with his bow and arrows; who having reached the jungle blazed forth, and began to burn up mango, tamarind and every kind of tree, and the grass and bamboos crackled with a loud noise; and the animals in the forest wandered about, losing their road. On all sides fire raged and spread in the forest; and smoke ascended in wreaths to the sky. On perceiving the smoke, Indrù summoned the lord of the clouds and said, “Go and shower down rain most copiously, and put out the fire, and save the lives of the beasts and birds, and animals of the forest.” Having received this order, the lord of the clouds, taking masses of clouds with him, came there, and began to thunder: and as he was on the point of pouring down rain, Urjoon discharged such arrows of wind, that the clouds were dispersed, and blown in every direction; like flocks of cotton, driven about by gusts of air. No one saw them come, or depart, they vanished as they came; and fire, burning up the forest and jungle, came to the abode of a demon, named Mye. Beholding Fire approach, full of rage, Mye was terrified: and coming out of his house, with naked feet, and a cloth thrown about his neck, came and stood in Fire’s presence with joined hands; and prostrating himself so as to touch the ground with the eight principal parts of his body, said, most beseechingly, “O lord! O lord! save me quickly from this fire, and protect me, O deity of fire! you have obtained a satiety of food, do not now meditate any crime, listen to my supplications, and save me from Fire.”
O great king! when the demon Mye had thus spoken, the deity of fire laid hold of his fiery arrows; and even Urjoon started with amazement. At length, they both took Mye with them to Shree Krishnù Chund, the root of joy, and said, “O great king! this demon Mye will be of use, and will build a place of abode for you. Take thought now of Mye; and, having extinguished the fire, banish all his fears.” Having thus spoken, Urjoon placed his bow, Gandeeb, and arrows upon the ground; and Krishnù, looking towards the deity of fire, made a sign by winking his eye, and the fire was put out immediately; and the whole forest became cool. Shree Krishnù Chund then went on with Urjoon and Mye. There Mye erected, in a second, a most beautiful, elegant and fascinating house of gold, studded with gems; a description of the beauty of which is impossible; whoever came to see it, stood gazing like a picture with astonishment. Shree Krishnù Jee remained there four months, and came thence to the royal court of Joodisthur; and, on arrival, he solicited the Raja’s permission to go to Dwarka; when they heard this request, Raja Joodisthur and his whole court were very sad, and there was great anxiety amongst the women in the female apartments. At length Krishnù having entered into suitable explanations with them all, and inspired them with confidence, took leave of Joodisthur, accompanied by Urjoon. Having left Hustinapoor, he arrived in a few days, after a very pleasant trip, at Dwarka. Joy was spread through the city on the news of his arrival; and the pangs of separation, which they had all endured, were felt no longer. His mother and father, on seeing their son’s face were delighted; and forgot all their sorrows. Shree Krishnù Jee went, on a subsequent day, to the Raja Oogursen, and explained the history of Kalindee, “O great king! I have brought Kalindee, the daughter of the sun, marry her to me in the manner prescribed by the Vedas.” On hearing this, Oogursen gave an order to one of his ministers “To go immediately and prepare all things necessary for the marriage.” On receipt of the order, the minister immediately procured all that was required. Oogursen and Basoodeo then sent for an astrologer, and having fixed upon a lucky day, united Shree Krishnù Jee in marriage to Kalindee, according to the forms and ceremonies prescribed by the Vedas.
Having recited thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—Raja! in this manner Kalindee was married; I will now mention, how Huri brought away and married Mittrabinda; listen with attention. Mittrabinda was the daughter of Rajdhewee, the aunt of Krishnù and Soorsen’s daughter. When she was marriageable, she selected a husband for herself. Rajas from all countries were collected together on the occasion, possessed of many eminent mental qualities, very handsome, intelligent, powerful, courageous, brave and resolute, and dressed and decked out, so as each to rival the other. Having received intelligence of this event, Shree Krishnù Chund Jee went, accompanied by Urjoon, and stood amongst the rest of the party, assembled on the occasion. The girl was delighted at seeing Krishnù; throwing a garland on his neck, she remained gazing on his countenance.
O great king! all the Rajas were ashamed, and displeased on observing this proceeding; and Doorjodhun went to her brother, Mittrasen, and said “Brother! Huri is your uncle’s son, with whom your sister has fallen in love. This is contrary to the custom of the world, and the world will laugh at such behaviour; go and advise your sister not to marry Krishnù, otherwise the whole crowd of Rajas will laugh.” Upon this Mittrasen went and advised his sister against the marriage.
O great king! when Mittrabinda, listening to the advice of her brother, withdrew and stood apart at some distance from Krishnù, Urjoon leaning forward whispered in his ear, “O great king! what are you hesitating about? the business is a failure; carry into execution immediately, and without delay, any plan you may have formed.” When Urjoon had thus spoken, Shree Krishnù Jee instantly seized Mittrabinda’s hand in the midst of the assembled party; and, carrying her off, placed her on his chariot, and drove off in sight of them all. The Rajas seized their arms, and mounting their horses, and circling round to the front of Krishnù, stood in battle order. And the people in the city laughing, and clapping their hands together, played upon musical instruments; and pouring forth abuse, began to say, “Krishnù has come to marry his father’s sister’s daughter; a notable act no doubt, which will make him very famous.”
Shree Shookdeo Jee, having narrated thus much of the history, said,—O great king! when Shree Krishnù Chund saw that he was surrounded on all sides by the army of demons, and could not avoid fighting, he drew forth several arrows from his quiver; and bending his bow, discharged them in such a manner, that the whole army of demons was scattered and dispersed in every direction, and Krishnù arrived safely at Dwarka, and free from all alarm.
Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—O great king! in this manner Shree Krishnù Jee took Mittrabinda to Dwarka, and married her there. Listen with attention, and I will now mention, how he brought away Sutya. In the Kuosul country, there was a Raja, named Nugnujjit, who had a daughter, named Sutya. When she was of a marriageable age, the Raja procured seven huge, terrible bulls without strings in their noses: and let them loose in the country, making a vow, “That he would marry his daughter to any person who should fasten strings in the noses of the seven at once.”
O great king! those seven bulls ranged about the country, bellowing and pawing the ground with their heads down and tails raised, and killed whomsoever they met. Hearing of this circumstance, Shree Krishnù Chund went, accompanied by Urjoon, and stood in the presence of the Raja Nugnujjit. On seeing him, the Raja descended from his throne, and prostrating himself so as to touch the ground with the eight principal parts of his body, seated Krishnù upon his throne; and placing sandal, unbroken rice and flowers on his head, offering perfumes, lamps and consecrated food, said, in a most supplicating manner, with joined hands and bended head, “My good fortune to-day is very great, that Krishnù, the lord of Shivù and Bruhmù, has come to my house.” He went on to say, “O great king! I have made a certain compact, which is difficult of accomplishment; but I am now certain, that, through your favour, it will be speedily accomplished.” Krishnù said, “Tell me, what vow you have made so difficult of fulfilment?” The Raja replied, “O lord of compassion! I have let loose seven bulls without strings in their noses: and made this compact, that I will marry my daughter to any person who shall put strings in the noses of the seven at once.”
Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—O great king! Huri, having heard this, fastened his girdle; and, having assumed seven different forms, went and stood where the bulls were; no one saw what was done invisibly, and Krishnù put strings in the noses of the seven at once. The bulls stood as quietly as wooden bulls, whilst the strings were being fastened in their noses; and when this was done, Krishnù led them all, with one rope, to the court of the Raja. When the inhabitants of the city beheld this exploit, they were all, both male and female, astonished, and began to pour forth loud exclamations of praise. The Raja Nugnujjit then sent for the family priest, and gave his daughter in marriage according to the prescribed injunctions of the Vedas. Her dowry consisted of ten thousand cows, nine lakhs of elephants, ten lakhs of horses, seventy-three lakhs of chariots, and male and female servants without number. When Shree Krishnù Chund departed thence, taking the dowry with him, the Rajas of the country were greatly enraged; and came and surrounded him on his way back. Urjoon destroyed and put them to flight, with arrows; and Huri returned with them all to Dwarka, happy and rejoicing. The inhabitants of the city, coming out to meet him, and spreading silken cloths, brought Krishnù, in musical procession, to the royal palace, and were amazed at seeing the dowry. The people extolled Nugnujjit, and said, “This is a great alliance. The Raja of Kuosul has done well in marrying his daughter to Krishnù, and giving such a large dowry.”
O great king! the inhabitants of the city discoursed thus amongst themselves, when Shree Krishnù Chund and Bulram arrived there; and gave all Raja Nugnujjit’s dowry to Urjoon, and acquired a great reputation in the world by the act.
I will now mention the circumstances, attending the marriage of Shree Krishnù Jee with Bhudra: listen attentively, and at your ease. Bhudra, the daughter of the Raja of Kykye, chose a husband for herself, and wrote letters to all the neighbouring Rajas, who all came, and were assembled together. Shree Krishnù Chund went also, accompanied by Urjoon, and stood in the court amongst the rest of the party. When the Raja’s daughter, looking at and observing the different chiefs with a garland in her hand, came to the sea of beauty, the light of the world, Shree Krishnù Chund, she was fascinated, and threw the garland upon his neck. When her mother and father saw this, they were delighted, and married their daughter to Huri according to the Vedas; bestowing upon her an unbounded marriage portion.
Having recited thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—O great king! Shree Krishnù Chund having thus married Bhudra, I will now mention how he married Luchmuna. When Luchmuna, the daughter of the very powerful and renowned Raja of Bhudrades, was marriageable, she chose a husband for herself, and sent letters of invitation to the Rajas of all countries; who came with great pomp and splendour, with their armies arrayed and fully equipped; and sat down in the assembly in well arranged rows. Shree Krishnù Chund Jee went there also, accompanied by Urjoon; and as he stood amongst the rest of the party, Luchmuna, having observed all who were present, came and threw a garland on the neck of Krishnù. Her father married Luchmuna to him according to the Vedas. All the Rajas who had come there, were greatly abashed; and said to one another, “Let us see whether Krishnù will take away Luchmuna while we are here.”
Having thus spoken, they all arranged their forces, and blocking up the road, stood ready for battle. As Shree Krishnù Chund and Urjoon advanced in the chariot with Luchmuna, they came and stopped them, and began to fight. At length, after some time, Urjoon and Shree Krishnù destroyed, and put them all to flight with arrows; and reached the city of Dwarka, happy and rejoicing. On their arrival, there were songs of congratulation and rejoicing in every house throughout the city, according to the injunctions of the Vedas.
Having proceeded thus far in the narrative, Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—O great king! in this manner Shree Krishnù Chund contracted five marriages, and lived happily at Dwarka with his eight queens, who were in constant attendance upon him. The queens’ names were Rohnee, Jamwutee, Sutbhama, Kalindee, Mittrabinda, Sutya, Bhudra and Luchmuna.
Shree Shookdeo Jeesaid,—Raja! on one occasion the earth, having assumed mortal shape, began to perform a very difficult penance. Upon this, the three gods, Bruhmù, Vishnù and Roodrù, came and enquired, “Why do you perform such excessively severe penance?” The earth replied, “O seas of compassion! I am very desirous of having a son; and am therefore performing this great penance; have compassion on me and grant that I may have a very powerful, renowned and glorious son, who shall not have an equal in the world, and who shall never die.” The three gods were delighted at hearing these words; and, having granted the boon she solicited, said, “Thy son, by name Nurkasoor, shall be very potent, and of great reputation, and no one shall obtain a victory over him in battle. He shall conquer, and bring under subjection, all the kings of the world; having gone to the sky, he shall destroy and put to flight the gods, and carrying off the ear-rings of Aditee, the mother of the gods, shall wear them himself, and carry off and place the canopy of Indrù over his own head. He shall collect together, without marrying them, sixteen thousand one hundred virgin daughters of different Rajas. Shree Krishnù Chund shall then attack him with all his army, and you shall tell him to kill your son, which he will do, and take away with him to Dwarka all the Rajas’ daughters.”
Having recited thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said to the Raja Pureechit,—O great king! when the three gods, having granted the boon, had thus spoken, the earth said, “Why should I ever tell any one to kill my son?” and was silent. After the lapse of some days, the earth’s son, Bhomasoor, was born, who is also called Nurkasoor; and dwelt in Pragojotikpore. The city was protected on all sides by hills; and, having built forts of water, fire and air, he carried off by violence the young daughters of all the Rajas in the world, and brought them, and kept them there with their nurses. He was incessantly occupied with arrangements for their food and clothes, and brought them up with the greatest care. One day, Bhomasoor was in a great passion, and sitting in a chariot of flowers he had brought from Lunka (Ceylon,) went to the regions above, and began to vex the gods. From the troubles he brought upon them, the gods fled for their lives in every direction, abandoning their celestial abodes. He then carried off the ear-rings of the mother of the gods and the canopy of Indrù, and began to inflict great griefs on all the gods, mortals and sages of the world.
Having heard of all his practices, Shree Krishnù Chund, the brother of the world, said to himself, “I will destroy him, and carry off all the women, and will convey Indrù’s canopy to the celestial regions, I will restore Aditee’s ear-rings, and will arrange that Indrù shall govern, free from all fear.”
Shree Krishnù Chund then said to Sutbhama, “O wife! if you come with me, Bhomasoor shall be put to death; because you are a portion of the earth, and in this manner are his mother. When the gods granted the earth the boon of a son, they said to her, ‘Thy son shall die, when thou givest the order: otherwise, no one will be able to put him to death.’ ” Sutbhama, hearing and reflecting upon these words, remained thoughtful. “O great king! my son is also your son; why will you kill him?” Krishnù evaded this question, and said, “I am not very anxious to destroy him; but on one occasion, I made you a promise, which I wish to fulfil.” Sutbhama enquired, “What promise?” Krishnù said, “Narud Jee once came, and gave me a flower of the tree Kulpù, which I sent to Rookmunee. You were angry, when you heard of this. I then made an agreement, that if you would not be uneasy, I would bring the Kulpù tree to you. I, therefore, take you with me, in order that I may fulfil my promise, and show you the paradise of Vishnù.”
Sutbhama was much pleased at hearing these words, and prepared to accompany Huri; who seated her behind him on the sovereign of the feathered race, the vehicle of Vishnù, and set off on his journey. After they had gone some distance, Shree Krishnù Chund said to Sutbhama, “Say, truly, why were you displeased, when I first mentioned this subject to you; explain the reason of this, that the doubts of my mind may be removed?” Sutbhama replied, “O great king! after killing Bhomasoor, you will bring away his sixteen thousand one hundred damsels, and will consider me as one of them. This is the reason of my having been displeased.” Shree Krishnù Chund said, “Do not allow yourself to suffer anxiety on any account. I will bring the tree Kulpù, and place it in your house. And do you make a present of it, and also of me to Narud, the sage. Having afterwards purchased me again, keep me near you, I will always be subservient to you. In this manner, Indranee made a present of Indrù, together with the tree; and Aditee also made a present of Kusyp. If you bestow this gift, no wife of mine will be equal to you.”
Discoursing, O great king! in this manner, Shree Krishnù arrived at Pragojotikpore; there beholding a hill fort, protected by fire, water and air, Krishnù gave the order to the sovereign of the feathered race, and to the quoit, Soodursun, who, by levelling, making smooth, lopping away and fixing, made a good road in a second. When Huri, advancing, was about to enter the city, the demons, who were guarding the fort, came out to fight; Krishnù easily killed and overthrew them with a club. On hearing the news of their death, a devil, named Moor, with five heads, who was sentinel over the city and fort, was greatly enraged, and made an attack upon Shree Krishnù with a trident in his hand, and his eyes red with fury, and gnashing his teeth, began to say, “Who, in the world, is more powerful than me? I should like to see him here.” With these words, O great king! the devil, Moor, rushed at Shree Krishnù Chund, as the king of the feathered race would rush upon a snake. He then aimed blows with the trident, which Krishnù parried with a quoit. As many weapons as Moor, in his rage, made use of, and discharged against, Huri, he, with the greatest ease, warded off. He then ran and threw himself upon Krishnù, in a state of great confusion, and began to wrestle; when the fight had lasted some time, Shree Krishnù, perceiving that Sutbhama was alarmed, cut off his five heads with the quoit, Soodursun. Bhomasoor, having heard the sound of the heads falling from the body, enquired, “What very loud noise was that?” Some one came and informed him that Shree Krishnù had killed the devil, Moor. Bhomasoor was very sorrowful on first hearing this account; but afterwards gave the order to his commander-in-chief to fight. He arranged his forces, and stood ready for battle at the gate of the fort. After this, the seven sons of Moor, who were very potent and mighty warriors, hearing of their father’s death, came to fight with, and encounter, Krishnù, armed with weapons of all kinds. Bhomasoor, after a while, sent a message to his commander-in-chief, and the sons of Moor to fight cautiously, as he was also coming. On receiving the order to fight, the commander-in-chief of Bhomasoor and the sons of Moor, accompanied by their armies of evil spirits, came forth to fight with Shree Krishnù Jee; and all at once, their troops spread like clouds in every direction round Krishnù. The warriors of Bhomasoor began to shower from all sides missiles of every description, and to make use of all kinds of arms against Shree Krishnù Chund; which he, parrying with ease, collected in heaps. At length Huri perceiving that Sutbhama was greatly disquieted, cut in pieces, in a second, with the quoit, Soodursun, the whole army of demons, together with the seven sons of Moor; just as a husbandman would cut a field of “jowar.”
Having proceeded thus far in the narrative, Shree Shookdeo Jee said to the Raja Pureechit,—O great king! on hearing of the destruction of all his army, and of the sons of Moor, Bhomasoor was at first very thoughtful, and perplexed. On subsequent reflection, he recovered his confidence; and taking several very powerful demons with him, his eyes inflamed with rage, tightening his waist belt, preparing his arrows, talking foolishly, he got ready to fight with Shree Krishnù Jee. Bhomasoor was exceedingly wroth when he saw Shree Krishnù; and, seizing arrows by the handful, began to discharge them. Huri cut them into three pieces. Then Bhomasoor drew a sword, and howled angrily at Krishnù; he sent forth a sound like thunder, exclaiming, “You shall not escape from me now, you villager.” Having spoken these harsh words, Bhomasoor engaged in a fierce encounter.
He, O great king! attacked violently with a club; and his blows made as much impression on the body of Shree Krishnù, as a stick of flowers would make on the body of an elephant. He fought with Krishnù with weapons of all kinds, which Huri cut in pieces. Bhomasoor then returned to his house, and brought forth a trident; and prepared for an encounter. Then Sutbhama called out, “When will the lord of the Judoos kill him?” On hearing these words, Krishnù poised his quoit, and killed Bhomasoor by cutting off his head. His head fell, together with the ear-rings and crown. The snake, on which the world rests, trembled when the body fell. There was joy in the three worlds; and the cares and miseries of all were removed. His splendour went into the body of Huri. Gods and wise men raised shouts of victory. They rained down flowers from their chariots, which were assembled together. The gods singing praises to the Vedas, celebrated the exploits of Krishnù.
Having recited thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo, the sage, said,—O great king! on hearing of Bhomasoor’s death, the earth and Bhomasoor’s wife with her son came to Krishnù; and standing in his presence, with joined hands and bended heads, began to say, in a most supplicating manner, “O luminous form of Bruhmù! Beharee, thou friend of thy worshippers, for the sake of holy and virtuous men, thou assumest numberless shapes; your greatness, exploits and delusive power are boundless, who can understand them, and who has power to explain them without your favour? You are the god of all the gods; no one understands your nature.”
O great king! having thus spoken, and placed the canopy and ear-rings before Krishnù, the earth again said, “O lord of the poor and sea of compassion! this son of Bhomasoor, Soobhugdunt, has come to you for protection. Take compassion on him, and be pleased to place your soft, lotus-like hand on his head, and grant that he may be free from all dread of you.”
On hearing these words, the abode of mercy, Shree Krishnù, compassionately placed his hand on Soobhugdunt’s head, and caused him to be free from all fear of him. Then Bhogawuttee, the wife of Bhomasoor, having brought many gifts to Huri, standing before him with joined hands, and bowing her head, said with the greatest humility, “O kind to the poor compassionate being, as you have fulfilled all our desires by showing yourself to us, be pleased now to make our houses pure by going to them.”
On hearing this request, Shree Moorari, acquainted with the secrets of the heart, the friend of his worshippers, went to the house of Bhomasoor. The mother and sons, having spread silken cloths for Krishnù to walk upon; and having accompanied him into the house, seated him upon a throne; and having given him an oblation with eight ingredients, and taken the water with which his feet had been washed, said, with the greatest submissiveness, “O lord of the three worlds! you have done well, in having destroyed this great demon; who that has done acts of enmity towards Krishnù, has ever obtained happiness in the world? Rawun, Kanbhkurun, Kuns and others, who were your enemies, have lost their lives; and whatsoever persons have borne malice toward you, have none in the world to perform the commonest offices for them.” Bhomawutee proceeded to say, “O lord! listen to my supplication; and, looking upon Soobhugdunt as your servant, be pleased to marry the sixteen thousand one hundred young unmarried daughters of Rajas, whom his father kept confined.”
Having thus spoken, she, O great king! brought out all the young daughters of Rajas into the presence of Krishnù, and arranged them in rows. On seeing the light of the world, the sea of beauty, Shree Krishnù Chund, the root of joy, they were fascinated; and imploring him earnestly, and with expressions of deep grief, they said, joining their hands, “O lord! as you have come and released us, poor, weak creatures, from the bonds of this great affliction, be pleased now to show us favour, and take us with you, and permit us, your servants, to attend upon you.”
On hearing this petition, Shree Krishnù Chund said to them, “I will procure ruths and palkees to convey you hence;” and looked at Soobhugdunt. Soobhugdunt, understanding the thoughts of Krishnù’s mind, went to the seat of his empire, and brought back with him elephants and horses fully equipped, carriages with four wheels, and shining, glittering ruths, and all sorts of splendid palkees. On seeing them, Huri gave orders to all the Rajas’ daughters to get into them. He took Soobhugdunt with him to the royal palace; and having seated him on the throne, made the royal marks on his forehead with his own hand, and took leave. The splendour of the scene, in the course of his journey with the Rajas’ daughters thence to Dwarka cannot be described. The splendour of the elephants and horses the glitter of the white and black trappings, and the brilliancy of the iron armour of the horses, the beauty of the coverings of the chariots, wheeled carriages and palkees and the lustre of their fringes of pearls, shone forth, equalling the sun in brightness.
Shree Krishnù Chund arrived, after a few days’ journey, with the Rajas’ daughters, at Dwarka. On arrival there, he placed them in the royal palace, and having gone to the Raja Oogursen, and made a salutation, Shree Krishnù related all the circumstances of his slaying Bhomasoor, and releasing and bringing away the Rajas’ daughters. Then taking leave of the Raja, Krishnù, accompanied by Sutbhama, and taking the canopy and ear-rings with him, seated on the sovereign of the feathered race, went to the paradise of Vishnù. On arrival there, he gave the ear-rings to the husband of Aditee, and placed the canopy over the head of the lord of the gods.
Having received intelligence of this event, Narud came there, to whom Huri said, “Go and tell Indrù, that Sutbhama asks for the tree Kulpù from him, let us see what he will say, and bring his answer back to me, I will form my plans after receipt of his reply.”
Narud Jee, O great king! having heard this request of Shree Krishnù Chund, went to the lord of the gods, and said, “Sutbhama, your brother’s wife, solicits from you the tree Kulpù. Tell me what answer I am to take back from you to this request.” When Indrù had heard what Narud said, he was at first confused and thoughtful; and afterwards went and mentioned to Indranee all that Narud, the sage, had said. Indranee, on hearing the account, was angry, and said, “Your dulness of intellect, O lord of the gods! will never leave you. You are a great fool, O blind husband! Who is Krishnù, and whose brother is he? Do you remember or not, that in Bruj he abolished the adoration of you, and caused the inhabitants to worship a hill, and deceitfully ate the sweetmeats, which had been prepared for your poojah? Again, having caused you to pour down rain on the hill, for seven days, he lowered your pride, and dishonoured you throughout the world. Are you not ashamed of this? He respects what his wife says. Why do you not listen to my suggestions?”
When Indranee, O great king! had thus addressed Indrù, he was annoyed; and returned to Narud Jee and said, “O chief of the sages! go and say to Shree Krishnù Chund from me, that the tree Kulpù shall never leave the forest of Nundun to go elsewhere; nor shall it remain any where else. Explain also to him, that there will be a great battle between us if he should injure me as he did formerly; when having misled the inhabitants of Bruj, and pretending to worship a hill, he ate up all the sweetmeats and other confections, which had been collected for my worship.”
Narud Jee, on hearing these words, returned to Shree Krishnù Chund, and having repeated Indrù’s speech, said, “O great king! Indrù would have given the tree Kulpù; but his wife would not let him.” On hearing these words, Shree Moorari, the destroyer of pride, went into the forest of Nundun; and having slain, and put to flight the keepers, carried off the tree Kulpù, and brought it away with him on the bird, which is the vehicle of Vishnù. The keepers who had been wounded by Krishnù and fled, went to Indrù and called out, mentioning what had happened.
O great king! Raja Indrù was greatly enraged, when he received intelligence of the tree Kulpù having been carried off; and taking thunderbolts in his hand, and summoning all the gods, he mounted the elephant Yerawut, and prepared for battle with Shree Krishnù Chund. Narud, the sage, having come again to Indrù, said, “Raja! you are very foolish in preparing to contend with Bhugwan at the instigation of your wife. Are you not ashamed of having said what you did? If you intended fighting, why did you not do so, when Bhomasoor carried off your canopy and the ear-rings of Aditee? Now that Krishnù has slain Bhomasoor, and restored the canopy and ear-rings, you are preparing to fight with him. Why did you not fight with Bhomasoor, if you are so powerful? Have you forgotten that day, on which you went to Krishnù at Bruj, and asked forgiveness of your fault with the greatest humility, and obtained it? And do you now proceed to fight with him again?”
O great king! on hearing this speech of Narud Jee’s, Indrù regretted and was ashamed, and repented having made preparations for battle. When Shree Krishnù Chund reached Dwarka, all the Judoos were highly delighted at seeing him. Krishnù took the tree Kulpù and placed it in Sutbhama’s palace; and the Raja Oogursen gave the sixteen thousand one hundred unmarried daughters of Rajas in marriage to Shree Krishnù Chund, in the manner prescribed by the Vedas, There were festive rejoicings according to the prescribed injunctions of the Vedas; thus did Krishnù enjoy himself in the world. Huri showed great affection for the sixteen thousand one hundred daughters of Rajas; and had an unceasing love for his eight queens.
Having narrated thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said, Raja! thus did Huri slay Bhomasoor, and restore the ear-rings of Aditee and the canopy of Indrù. Then having contracted sixteen thousand one hundred and eight marriages, Shree Krishnù Chund brought all his wives to Dwarka and began joyfully to indulge in sports and diversions.
Shree Shookdeo Jeesaid,—O great king! on one occasion, a jewelled bedstead of pure gold with curtains was laid out in a golden palace, studded with gems. On the bedstead a bedding, white as foam, and decorated with flowers was spread. Pillows for the cheek, and the head of the bed exhaled perfumes. Vessels filled with camphor, rosewater, sandal and other perfumes were arranged on all sides of the bed. Pictures of all kinds were drawn on the walls; flowers, fruits, sweetmeats and confectionary were placed here and there in the recesses: and every thing, that could contribute to pleasure, was provided. Wearing a petticoat, and full loose robe of great splendour, on which were sewn real pearls; and a shining boddice, glittering cloth for the body, and a brilliant cloak, ornamented from head to foot; with red horizontal lines drawn across the forehead, a ring for the nose of large pearls, ornaments for the head, ear-rings, lines on the top of the head, where the hair is parted, marks between the eyebrows, ornaments for the ears, and forehead, a necklace composed of circular pieces of gold, a string of gold beads and coral, an ornament for the breast and decked out with numerous other jewels and ornaments,—bright as the moon,—of the colour of chumpa, with eyes like those of a deer, a voice like the kokila’s (the Indian cuckoo) the gait of an elephant and waist of a lion, Shree Rookmunee Jee was reclining; and also Shree Krishnù Chund, the root of joy, of the colour of the clouds, a countenance like the moon, lotus eyes, wearing a peacock crown, a garland of various flowers reaching to the feet, dressed in yellow silk, with a scarf of the same colour, the sea of beauty, the light of the three worlds. They were enjoying the pleasures of mutual love, when suddenly Shree Krishnù said to Rookmunee, “O beautiful Rookmunee! I wish to say something to you, to which you must give me an answer; you are possessed of great beauty, and many excellent qualities of mind, and the daughter of Raja Bheekmuk; why did you reject Raja Sissoopal of Chunderee who was very mighty and renowned; in whose family kingly power has descended for seven generations, and from dread of whom I fled, and abandoning Muttra took up my abode in the sea, and to whom your mother, father and brother wished you to be married, and he himself came with a marriage procession; and having refused to marry him sent for me through a brahmin, thereby sacrificing all respect for the honour of your family, disregarding the opinion of the world and laying aside all fear of your parents and your brother? I am not worthy of you, nor equal to you in accomplishments, I am not a Raja, nor have I beauty, or mental superiority. Some beggars talked of my renown, whose praises of me you heard, and treasured up in your mind. A Raja came to marry you, accompanied by his army; you then sent an invitation to me. On my arrival, there was a fierce battle: and how was my honour saved? I took you away in sight of them all; and Bulram dispersed all their army. You wrote to me, requesting that I would deliver you out of the hands of Sissoopal; which wish of yours has been accomplished; and I have no desire, believe me, O lovely Rookmunee, you have not hitherto suffered any loss or injury; go and live with some powerful Raja, of high family, and excellent qualities of mind, who may be worthy of you.”
O great king! on hearing these words, Shree Rookmunee Jee was in a state of consternation, and fell staggering and reeling upon the earth; and struggling like a fish deprived of water, became senseless and heaved deep, long-drawn sighs, then her curls fell in the greatest disorder over her beautiful face, and became entangled with each other; like the moon wandering from her path, as a snake that has imbibed the water of immortality. On observing her condition, Shree Krishnù Chund rose up in a state of great agitation and alarm, thinking that she was about to die; and assuming a form with four arms, went up to her, and raising her from the ground with two hands placed her on his bosom; and began to fan her with the third hand, and arrange her hair with the fourth.
O great king! Nundlall (Krishnù) exerted himself greatly in consequence of his affection. He sometimes wiped his beloved’s face with a silken cloth, and sometimes placed his soft, lotus-like hand on her breast: at length Shree Rookmunee revived. Huri then said, “Thou hast a very deep love for me, O beloved Rookmunee! and didst not retain a particle of firmness in thy mind. You thought that I really meant to abandon you; when I was only jesting and trifling with your affection. Be now of good cheer; and, recovering your spirits and animation, open your eyes.” On seeing that Krishnù had taken her in his lap, she blushed, and was very much ashamed. She rose and stood up in great confusion; and, joining her hands, fell at his feet. Krishnù said, patting her on the back, “Beautiful creature! who becamest insensible from love, what I said in jest, you thought serious. It is not right to be angry, at what is said in joke; rise and banish all anger and affliction.”
O great king! Shree Rookmunee Jee rose on hearing these words; and, joining her hands and bending her head, began to say to Krishnù, “You have spoken truly in saying that you are not worthy of me, because you are the husband of Luchmee, and the lord of Shivù and Bruhmù, who is equal to you in the three worlds? O lord of the world! whoever abandons you, and goes to (worships) any other, is like a man, who should give up singing the praises of Huri, and sing the praises of a vulture. And, O great king! with respect to what you said regarding some mighty and potent Raja, say where in the three worlds shall I find a Raja more powerful and greater than you? Bruhmù, Roodrù, Indrù and all the gods who bestow boons, are obedient to your commands. Through your favour, they make whomsoever they please great and powerful, renowned, celebrated and glorious, by conferring boons. And whatsoever persons perform a very difficult penance in honour of you, for a hundred years, attain to the dignity of Raja. And whoever forgetting and abandoning your worship, meditation, prayers, penance and guidance, do wicked acts, are of themselves utterly ruined and disgraced. O lord of compassion! it is your constant custom to descend in various forms and frequently upon the earth for the sake of your worshippers; and, having destroyed wicked demons, and removed the burthens of the world, you confer happiness on your own, and grant all their supplications. And, O lord! on whomsoever your great compassion is shed, and he thereby obtains wealth, royal power, youth, beauty and eminence; and subsequently being blinded by pride, forgets religion, penance, truth, mercy, worship and adoration, you reduce him to poverty; because the poor constantly meditate upon you, and keep you in remembrance, for this reason the poor man is acceptable to you. He, to whom your great mercy is shown, will always be without riches.”
O great king! Rookmunee proceeded to say, “O lord of life, I will not do as Unba, the daughter of Indrudown, Raja of Benares, did, abandoning her husband, and going to the Raja Bheekmuk; and when he would not receive her, she returned to her own husband, who, after this, turned her out of doors; then having gone, and sat on the bank of the Ganges, she performed a great penance in honour of Muhadeo, who came there, and granted the boon she solicited. By means of that boon, she took her revenge upon Raja Bheekmuk. I certainly will not imitate such conduct. You have explained, O lord! that some beggars came, and extolled your greatness; and that I believed what they said, and sent a brahmin to you: the beggars who came, where Shivù, Bruhmù and Doorga. Narud, the sage, constantly praises your excellent qualities. Knowing you to be compassionate, I sent a brahmin; you came and brought destruction upon wicked men. Knowing her humility, you brought me, your servant, with you, and have raised me, lord! to greatness.” Krishnù said in reply, “O beloved! you have had experience of my mind, thoughts and nature. You have attended upon me, and worshipped me, and known my love; for this reason the affections of my mind are fixed upon you.”
O great king! Rookmunee was gratified by this speech of Huri’s, and attended upon him.
Shree Shookdeo Jeesaid,—O great king! having taken his sixteen thousand one hundred wives to Dwarka, Krishnù began to engage in joyful sports and diversions with them; and his eight queens attended constantly upon him day and night: rising continually early in the morning, some washed his face, some applied perfumed paste, and bathed his body; others served up, and fed him with all sorts of delicacies, some having made an image of their husband with cloves, mace, nutmegs and other spices gave it to Krishnù to eat, others arrayed him in elegant garments, and ornaments studded with jewels, which they selected and prepared; several of them gave him a garland of flowers to wear; and sprinkling rose-water, smeared his body with saffron, and sandal; some fanned him, and others rubbed his feet. O great king! all his queens thus constantly performed various acts of attendance on Krishnù, who made them completely happy.
Having recited thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said, O great king! after some years, each of the wives of the lord of the Judoos brought forth children; each having a daughter, equalling Luchmee, and ten dutiful sons. Thus the number of children amounted to a lakh and sixty-one thousand, all alike, and possessed of unbounded excellence of mind, strength and beauty, all of them of the colour of clouds, with countenances like the moon, lotus eyes, dressed in blue and yellow frocks, and wearing knotted strings, necklaces and amulets on their necks, pleased and gratified their parents by their childish sports and pastimes in each house: and their mothers brought them up with the most tender and affectionate care. O great king! on hearing of the birth of Shree Krishnù Chund’s sons, Rookum said to his wife, “I will not now give my daughter Charoomutee to Kritbruma’s son, to whom she has been betrothed, but will allow her to choose a husband for herself; send some one to invite my sister Rookmunee with her sons.”
On hearing these words, Rookum’s wife wrote a most pressing letter of invitation to her brother’s sister and her sons, which she sent by the hand of a brahmin, and made preparations for the ceremony of her daughter selecting a husband for herself. On receipt of her brother’s wife’s invitation, Rookmunee having obtained the permission of Shree Krishnù Chund, took leave and starting from Dwarka with her son, arrived at her brother’s house at Bhojkut. Rookum was highly delighted at seeing her, and respectfully bowed his head; falling at her feet, his wife said, “This is the first visit you have paid us, since you were carried off.” She again said to Rookmunee, “O sister-in-law! as you have come here, kindly take compassion upon us, and receive this our daughter, Charoomutee, for your son.” Rookmunee Jee replied, “You know your husband’s disposition; do not give occasion for him to quarrel with any one, there is no understanding or depending on my brother; who knows what he may do, for this reason, both his words and actions excite apprehension.” Rookum said, “Fear not, sister! there shall be no violence, it is an injunction of the Vedas, to give a daughter in marriage to a sister’s son in the Deccan country, for this reason, I will give my daughter, Charoomutee, to your son, Purdiyomun; and, abandoning my habit of enmity towards Shree Krishnù Jee, unite myself to him by a new bond of relationship.”
O great king! having thus spoken, when Rookum, rising thence, went to the court, Purdiyomun having arrayed himself in full dress, went also, with his mother’s permission, to the assembly that was collected on the occasion of Charoomutee selecting a husband for herself. He beheld Rajas of all countries standing there with the hope of marriage, splendidly dressed, and wearing a variety of jewels and ornaments. And the young girl was moving about in the middle of the crowd with a garland in her hand, and looking in every direction, but her glance did not rest upon any one. In the mean while, when Purdiyomun Jee entered the assembly, she was fascinated at beholding him, and came and threw the garland on his neck. All the Rajas beheld the act with regret, and remained standing there in a state of disappointment and pique; and began to say to themselves, “Let us see whether he will lead away this girl in our presence, we will carry her off on the road.”
O great king! the Rajas thus continued discoursing to themselves; and Rookum, having taken the bride and bridegroom under the temporary building which had been erected for the occasion, and having made a solemn vow in the manner prescribed by the Vedas, gave away his daughter; and bestowed upon her a dowry of unbounded wealth and riches; when Shree Rookmunee Jee had celebrated her son’s marriage, and taken leave of her brother and his wife, she mounted her chariot, taking with her, her son and daughter-in-law, and started for Dwarka. The Rajas then came in a body, and blocked up the road, with the view of fighting and forcibly carrying off Purdiyomun’s bride.
Observing their wicked design, Purdiyomun seized his arms, and prepared for battle. The battle lasted for some time between them; when at length Purdiyomun, having slain and routed them all, arrived joyfully and happily at Dwarka.
On hearing of their arrival, all their relations, male and female, came outside the city, and observing the usual and prescribed ceremonies, and spreading silken cloths on the ground, conducted them in musical procession; there was rejoicing throughout the city, and they dwelt happily in the royal palace.
Having narrated thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said to the Raja Pureechit,—O great king! after some years, a son was born to Purdiyomun, the son of Shree Krishnù Chund, the root of joy. On that occasion, Shree Krishnù Jee sent for astrologers; and, having had seats placed for all his relations, gave a festive entertainment, and made preparations for giving a name to the child in the manner prescribed by the Shastrus. The astrologers, consulting their almanacs, and having fixed upon the year, month, half-month, solar and lunar day, the hour, the rising of the sign and the twenty-seventh division of the zodiack, gave the child the name of Unroodrù. On that occasion, when Purdiyomun had a son, Krishnù was so overjoyed, that his body could not contain him; and he could not be surfeited with giving presents and gifts to the brahmins.
O great king! having received intelligence of the birth of Krishnù’s grandson, Rookum wrote a letter to his sister and her husband in terms of great affection, proposing a marriage between the grandson and his grand-daughter, and mentioning that the match would afford him great delight. And afterwards, he sent for a brahmin; and, giving him a red mixture for the forehead, unbroken rice, a rupee and a cocoanut explained to him and said, “Go to Dwarka, and making many supplications, in my name, give the nuptial presents to Unroodrù, Krishnù’s grandson, and my daughter’s son.” On receiving this order the brahmin, taking with him the nuptial gifts and presents, proceeded on his journey, and arrived at Shree Krishnù Chund’s house at Dwarka. On seeing him, Krishnù, treating him with the greatest respect and honour, enquired, “What, O divinity! is the occasion of your coming here?” The brahmin replied, “O great king! I have been sent by Raja Bheekmuk’s son, Rookum; and have brought the nuptial gifts and presents for an alliance between his grand-daughter, and your grandson.”
On hearing this message, Shree Krishnù Jee sent for ten of his relations; and, having received the nuptial presents, and given many gifts to the brahmin, allowed him to take leave; and went to his brother, Bulram, to make arrangements for the journey. Afterwards, the two brothers started thence, and went to the Raja Bheekmuk; and, having informed him of what had been proposed, took leave. Having come forth, they began to make all necessary arrangements, and collect all things necessary for the marriage procession; when, after some days, these arrangements were completed, and every thing was ready, Krishnù went in great pomp and splendour, with the marriage procession, from Dwarka to the city of Bhojkut. At that time, Shree Rookmunee Jee sat upon a glittering ruth with her son and grandson, and Shree Krishnù and Bulram were seated upon another ruth. At length after some days Krishnù arrived at Dwarka with them all.
O great king! on arrival of the marriage procession, Rookum, together with the Rajas of Kuling and other countries, went outside the city to meet it; and having invested all composing the procession in honorary dresses, and receiving them with the utmost respect and honour, escorted them to the appointed place of reception at the bride’s house; afterwards, having entertained them, he had them conducted to a hall erected for the occasion adorned with flowers, and he gave away the virgin in the manner prescribed by the Vedas; and he bestowed upon her so rich a marriage portion, that an account of it is impossible.
Having proceeded thus far in the narrative, Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—O great king! when the marriage ceremonies had been performed, Raja Bheekmuk went to the place of reception at the bride’s house, and, joining his hands and using much entreaty, whispered to Shree Krishnù Chund, and said, “O great king! the marriage has been completed, and every thing has gone on well; be pleased to make arrangements for a speedy departure, because his relations, the Rajas whom Rookum has invited, are all wicked and violent men. Do not let there be any quarrelling. I, therefore, have taken an opportunity of speaking to you, Moorari.” When he had thus spoken, and went away, Rookum came near Shree Rookmunee, and then Rookmunee exclaimed, “How shall we be able to return home? Your guests, the Rajas, are hostile, who are united with you; if you mean well, brother, arrange so that we may quickly reach home, otherwise you will see a pleasant state of affairs, succeeded by an unpleasant one.” Rookum replied, “Sister! be not at all anxious, I will first of all allow the different Rajas, who have come as my guests, to take leave, and will afterwards do as you wish.” With these words Rookum went thence to his royal guests; they all coming in a body, began to say, “Rookum! you have given so much wealth to Krishnù and Buldeo; and they through pride have not acted at all well, this is one subject of regret to us; and we are grieved on another account, which is, that Bulram brought dishonour upon you.”
O great king! Rookum was angry at this speech, when the Raja of Kuling, said, “I have something to say, which, with your permission, I will mention.” Rookum replied, “Mention it.” The Rajas said, “We have no concern with Shree Krishnù, but send for Bulram; and we will play atchoupurwith him, and win all his money: and great as his pride is, we will send him away hence empty-handed.” When Kuling had thus spoken, Rookum, after reflecting for a short time, went to Bulram Jee, and said, “O great king! all the Rajas send their compliments, and have invited you to play atchoupur.” On hearing this, Bulbhuddrù went to accept the challenge; the Rajas rose, and bowed their heads on his coming. The Rajas then said with the greatest politeness to Raja Bulram, “You have had great practice at the game ofchoupur, we, therefore, wish to play with you.” With these words, they brought out and spread a cloth for playing atchoupur; and Rookum and Bulram began playing; at first Rookum won ten times, and then said to Buldeo Jee, “You have lost all your money; what will you stake now?” The Raja of Kuling applauded this speech, and laughed. Observing this, Buldeo Jee bent his head, and became thoughtful; Rookum then staked ten crores of rupees at once, which when Bulram had won and taken up, they all began to wrangle and said, “Rookum’s dice has fallen, (that is, he has won,) why are you collecting the money?” Bulram returned the whole sum on hearing this, and staking a hundred millions took up the dice. Bulram won again, and Rookum lost; the Rajas, cheated a second time, and said, “That Rookum had won,” and thus exclaimed, “What do you know about gambling and dice, you mean villager! Rajas understand war and play, cowherds only understand about cows.”
On hearing this speech, the anger of Buldeo Jee was excited in the same manner, that the waves of the sea are swollen at the full moon. Bulram, however, reasoning within himself, contrived to stifle his wrath; and making another stake of seven millions, played again; again Buldeo won, and then again the Rajas falsely declared “That Rookum had gained the game.” When they had thus cheated, there was a voice from heaven, “Huldhur won and Rookum lost; O Rajas! why have you spoken falsely?”
O great king! when Rookum and the other Rajas having heard the voice from heaven, pretended not to hear it, Buldeo Jee was exceedingly angry, and said, “Although you have allied yourself with me by marriage, you have again quarrelled with me; O unjust and dishonest man! I will now put you to death, whatever opinion my brother’s wife may form of the deed. I will not now listen to any one on this subject, but will to-day deprive you of life, you deceitful wretch.”
Having narrated thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said to the Raja Pureechit,—O king! after some delay, Bulram killed Rookum in the sight of all present: and having thrown Kuling down, knocked out all his teeth with blows, and said to him, “You also showed your teeth and laughed.” After this, having slain and put to flight all the Rajas, Bulram came to the place of reception at the bride’s house, and mentioned all that had occurred to Shree Krishnù Chund. On hearing the account, Huri departed thence with all his party, and had a safe and pleasant journey to Dwarka; joy was diffused throughout the city on his arrival, and there were festivities in every house. Shree Krishnù Jee and Buldeo Jee went into the presence of Raja Oogursen, and said, “O great king! through your excellence and glory, we have celebrated Unroodrù’s marriage, and have destroyed the very wicked Rookum.”
Shree Shookdeo Jeesaid,—O great king! if I could obtain the power of the lord of Dwarka, I would relate the whole history of the taking away of Ookha; listen with attention, and I will explain, how she saw Unroodrù in a dream at night, and lost her strength through sorrow; and how Chitrekha brought about a meeting between Unroodrù, and Ookha. In the generation of Bruhmù was first Kusyp, whose son Hirunkusyp was very mighty and renowned; and became immortal. His son Hurijun, a worshipper of Krishnù, was named Purladh, whose son was Raja Biroochun, and Biroochun’s son the Raja Bul, whose fame and excellence are still spread abroad on the earth. When Krishnù descended upon the earth in the form of a dwarf, he having practised a stratagem sent Raja Bul to the infernal regions. The eldest son of that Bul was Banasoor; a very potent and splendid monarch, he dwelt in Shronitpore, and went constantly to the mountain Kuelas to perform adoration to Shivù; he cherished the profession of brahmins, spoke the truth, and lived with his passions in complete subjection.
O great king! Banasoor having gone to the hill Kuelas, and performed adoration to Huri; and being absorbed in an intense feeling of affection, began in a state of ecstacy to play upon the hand-drum and dance and sing. Hearing him sing and play, Shree Muhadeo Bholanath was delighted, and began to dance with Parbutee, and play upon a hand-drum. After dancing for some time, Muhadeo was highly pleased; and having called Banasoor to him said, “Son! I have been highly gratified with your singing and dancing, ask a boon from me, and I will grant whatever you ask; you have played most agreeably, and my mind has been rejoiced at hearing you.”
On hearing these words, O great king! Banasoor, joining his hands and bending his head, said, with the greatest humility, “O lord of compassion! you have shown me great favour in promising me a boon, I solicit that you will first make me immortal, and confer on me the sovereignty of the whole world, and afterwards make me so powerful that no one will obtain a victory over me.” Muhadeo Jee replied, “I grant you this boon, and release you from all fear; in the three worlds no one shall have power equal to yours; and, even Bruhmù shall have no authority over you: you have played excellent music, and afforded me extreme gratification, being greatly rejoiced in mind, I have bestowed upon you a thousand arms, go home now, and, free from all anxiety, exercise a sovereignty, which cannot be shaken.”
Banasoor, O great king! having heard this speech of Bholanath, and, having received a thousand arms, was highly delighted; and, going to the right, by way of adoration, and bowing his head, took leave, and dwelt by permission at Shronitpore, afterwards having conquered the three worlds, and having brought all the gods under subjection, he dug a broad deep ditch with water, springing at the bottom, and built castles of fire and air; being free from all dread or fear of any one, he began to carry on his government happily; after the lapse of some time his arms, in consequence of his not fighting, became very strong: he rubbed them and shook them about. Banasoor said to himself, “With whom shall I fight, on whom shall I make an attack? I have become infected with itch in consequence of not fighting, who will fulfil the desires of my mind?”
Having thus spoken, Banasoor went outside his house, and began to root up hills, and dash them to pieces, and wander about different countries. When he had destroyed all the hills, and the irritation and itching of his hands had not left him, Banasoor said, “With whom shall I now fight, and what shall I do with so many arms? How shall I support the huge weight of my own strength, I will go again to Muhadeo, and speak to him on the subject.”
O great king! Banasoor, having thus reflected, went into the presence of Muhadeo Jee, and, joining his hands and bowing his head said, “O lord of the three worlds! in whose hand is the trident, you did me the kindness to bestow upon me a thousand arms, which I find too heavy for my body, I cannot support the weight of them, be pleased to remedy this, and point out some one possessed of great strength with whom I may fight, I cannot find any one in the three worlds so powerful as to face me in an encounter; as you have, through compassion, bestowed on me great strength, do me the kindness now to fight with me and satisfy the yearnings of my mind, or else point out some other very strong being with whom I may contend, and dissipate the troubles of my mind.”
Having narrated thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—O great king! Muhadeo Jee was angry at hearing Banasoor thus address him, and began to say to himself, “I granted him a boon, thinking him a holy man, and now he is ready to fight with me; this fool has become proud of his strength and shall not escape with life; he who indulges in pride never lives long.” Muhadeo having these thoughts in his mind, said, “Banasoor! do not distress yourself, in a short time a fit antagonist for you, Shree Krishnù, will descend upon the earth in the family of Judoo, with exception of him there is no one in the three worlds who can contend with you.” Banasoor was very much pleased when he heard this, and said, “Lord! when will that man descend upon the earth, and how shall I know that he has been born?” Raja Shivù presenting Banasoor with a banner, said to him, “Take this flag and place it on the top of your house, and when this flag shall fall of itself and be broken to pieces, then know that your enemy is born.”
When Muhadeo, O great king! had thus explained to him, Banasoor took the flag and returned home. On arriving there, he fixed the flag upon his house, and daily offered up prayers that the man might appear, with whom he could fight. When some time had elapsed, his chief queen, named Banawutee, became pregnant, and when her time was completed, brought forth a girl; on that occasion Banasoor having sent for astrologers, and given them seats, said, “Fix upon the name, and point out the mental qualities of this girl.” When he had thus spoken, the astrologers determined quickly upon the year, month, half month, lunar day, day of the week, hour, division of time equal to forty-eight minutes and the twenty-seventh division of the zodiack; and, having considered the proper moment, named the girl “Ookha,” and said, “O great king! this girl will be a mine of beauty, and good qualities of mind and disposition; and will be very intelligent; we can discover this from her planet and other signs.”
Banasoor was highly gratified at hearing this; and, having bestowed many gifts upon the astrologers, allowed them to take leave; and afterwards, having sent for singers and dancers and musicians, gave a festive entertainment. As the girl grew up, Banasoor treated her with the greatest affection. When Ookha was seven years of age, her father, Banasoor, sent her to the mountain Kuelas, which is near Shronitpore, with many attendants and companions to Shivù and Parbutee, for the purpose of learning to read. Ookha, having propitiated Guneshù and Suroswutee, went into the presence of Shivù and Parbutee; and, having joined her hands and bending her head, thus submissively spoke: “O seas of compassion! Shivù and Devee, grant me, your servant, the gift of knowledge, and acquire for yourselves renown in the world by so doing.” O great king! Shivù and Parbutee, being pleased with the humility of Ookha’s speech, began to impart knowledge to her; she went constantly to them for the purpose of reading; and after some time had been thus spent, she read all the Shastrùs, and became very proficient in knowledge, and played upon all kinds of musical instruments. One day Ookha played a duet with Parbutee on the lute, and sang scientifically, when Shivù Jee came and said to Parbutee, “Beloved! Shree Krishnù Chund has restored to life Kamdeo, whom I burnt to death.” Having thus spoken, Shree Muhadeo went to the banks of the Ganges with Parbutee, and bathing both himself and her, became very amorous, and began to assist Parbutee in dressing with great affection of manner, and to make love to her. At length, in the ecstasy of his passion, he began to play upon a hand-drum, and dance frantically with violent gesticulation, singing according to the science of music, explained in the Shastrùs, and fondly embracing his wife. Ookha, beholding the mutual joy and fondness of Shivù and Parbutee, and feeling a desire to have a husband, began to say to herself, “If I had a husband, I would enjoy amorous diversion with him, in the manner of Shivù and Parbutee. A woman without a husband is as defective in beauty as night without the moon.”
When, O great king! Ookha had thus expressed her thoughts to herself, Shree Parbutee, acquainted with the secrets of the heart, knowing her thoughts, invited her with the greatest affection to come near, and thus with the most tender regard addressed her, “Daughter! suffer not any anxiety of mind, thou shalt obtain a husband in a dream; search for him and enjoy amorous pleasure with him.” Having thus given her a bridegroom, the wife of Shivù allowed Ookha to take leave. Having attained a great proficiency in knowledge, and received a promise of a husband, she made a salutation, and went to her father; who gave her a very beautiful house, apart from all others, to live in. And she, taking with her several of her friends and companions, lived there, and increased in stature daily.
O great king! when the young maiden had reached the age of twelve years, the full moon hid its diminished rays on beholding the lustre of her moon-like countenance; compared with the blackness of her hair, the darkness of the night at the change of the moon seemed trifling. On seeing her taper locks, snakes cast their skins and fled away; the bow began to palpitate, on beholding the arch of her eye-brows; deer, fishes and wagtails were abashed at the sight of her large and rolling eyes; the sesamum withered on gazing at the elegance of her nose; the fruit of the binba tree was restless at the redness of her lips; the breast of the pomegranate was lacerated, on viewing the regularity of her teeth; the rose ceased to blow when she saw the softness of her cheeks; pigeons were fidgetty at the roundness of her neck; on taking a side view of her breasts, the buds of the lotus fell into the tank; the lioness retired into the forest when she saw her slim waist; the plantain ate camphor on beholding the smoothness of her thighs; gold was abashed at the fairness of her body, and the chumpa hid itself; the lotus lost all its estimation in comparison with her hands and feet. Such was she, with the gait of an elephant, the voice of a kokila, and in the very flower of youth and beauty, and by the splendour of her charms eclipsed all the abovementioned.