Shree Shookdeo Jeesaid,—O great king! I will now relate how Bulram, the abode of happiness, the receptacle of beauty, killed the monkey, Doobid, listen with attention. One day Doobid, who was the minister of Soogreet, and brother of the monkey Mindree, and the friend of Bhomasoor began to say, “There is a thorn in my mind, which always pains me.” On hearing this, some one enquired, “What is it?” He replied, “I will kill him, who has destroyed my friend Bhomasoor, in order that the grief of my mind may depart.”
O great king! having thus spoken, he went, on one occasion, in great wrath, to the city of Dwarka, laying waste the country of Shree Krishnù Chund, and harassing the people. He set some afloat by pouring down rain, he sent down flames and burnt others, some he knocked down with a hill, he dashed hills upon others, some he drowned in the sea, he bound others, and hid them in caves, he ripped open the bellies of some, some he killed with uprooted trees. He thus constantly vexed the people; and wherever he found sages, holy men and gods sitting, he poured down upon them dung, urine and blood, thus afflicting and oppressing the people, he went at length to the city of Dwarka; and assuming a very small form, sat on the palace of Shree Krishnù Chund. On seeing him, Krishnù’s wives, shutting all the inner doors, ran off and hid themselves; he, then having obtained intelligence of Bulram, ascended the hill Kewut, thinking to himself, “I will first kill Bulram, and afterwards destroy Krishnù’s life.” At the place, where Buldeo Jee was diverting himself with his wives, Doobid, O great king! who was concealed, saw that Bulram had been drinking, and that he had taken all his wives with him into the middle of a tank, and was engaged in various sports with them, and singing and bathing. On witnessing this scene Doobid climbed up a tree and chattering, and uttering angry cries, began to leap and jump about the branches, and play all kinds of tricks; and defile a water-pot, filled with spirituous liquor, and the clothes of all of them which were lying about. On seeing the monkey the women were frightened, and exclaimed, “O great king! whence has this monkey come, who has frightened us, and defiled all our dresses?” When Buldeo heard this speech, he came out of the tank, and laughingly threw a clod of earth at the monkey, who supposing him to be intoxicated, came down from the tree, chattering and enraged; he first upset the contents of the large earthen vessel, filled with spirituous liquor, which was placed on the bank of the tank, and tore all the clothes into strips. Bulram Jee was then angry, and poised in his hand his plough and pestle, and the monkey becoming as large as a hill, came in front of Bulram, prepared to fight. Buldeo brought into play his plough and pestle, and the monkey hurled trees and hills. They both closed and had a fierce encounter, and neither moved back at all from his position.
O great king! these two mighty beings were contending resolutely with each other, and practising all kinds of feints and stratagems; but the spectators were ready to die of fright; at length Bulram perceiving that they were all distressed, threw down and killed Doobid. Gods, men and sages were all rejoiced at his death, and their griefs were dispelled; the delighted gods rained flowers and raised shouts of victory for Bulram.
Having recited thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—O great king! that monkey had existed since the Treta age, which Buldeo Jee killed and released from existence. Bulram, the abode of happiness, having gratified them all, brought them with him thence to the city of Dwarka, and related all the circumstances of the destruction of Doobid to the descendants of Judoo.
Shree Shookdeo Jeesaid,—Raja! I will now relate to you the history of the marriage of Luchmuna, the daughter of Doorjodhun, how Sumboo went to Hastinapoor, and married her. O great king! when the Raja Doorjodhun’s daughter, Luchmuna, was marriageable, her father sent letters of invitation to Rajas of different countries, and appointed a day for the bride to select her own husband; having received intelligence of the day that had been appointed, Shree Krishnù Chund’s son, by Jamwutee, named Sumboo, came also to witness the ceremony. On arriving there he beheld Rajas of all countries powerful, possessed of excellent qualities, the receptacles of beauty, very intelligent, wearing elegant dresses and jewelled ornaments, armed and silent, standing in rows in the midst of the assemblage, and the Kouruvus were standing in like manner behind them; musical instruments resounded here and there outside; and inside musicians and singers were engaged in festivities; in the centre of all the Raja’s daughter, the beloved of her mother and father, was moving about like a pupil of the eye, with a garland in her hand, and saying to herself, “Whom shall I marry?”
O great king! when that sweet dispositioned girl, the abode of beauty, carrying a garland, and blushing, came, in the course of her circling, opposite Sumboo, she laid aside all reserve and bashfulness; and seizing him fearlessly by the hand, and seating him in her chariot, proceeded homewards. All the Rajas looked on in silent surprise, and Kurun, Dron, Sulup, Bhoorisurwa, Doorjodhun and the other Kouruvùs did not at that time say a word; afterwards, being very angry, they began to say to each other, “See what he has done, spoiling all our pleasure, and making a happy occasion disagreeable!” Kurun said, “It is the constant practice of the descendants of Judoo to do acts of violence on occasions of pleasure, and rejoicing.” Suti said, “They are men of low caste, who have lately been exalted; since they obtained sovereignty, they have become insolent and domineering.” On hearing these words, all the Kouruvùs in great wrath, and seizing their arms, rushed forth, saying, “Let us see what mighty man will take way the girl from before us,” and they went and surrounded Sumboo on the road. Warlike weapons were brought into play on both sides, when at length the battle had lasted some time, and Sumboo’s charioteer had been killed, and he himself had descended from his chariot, they surrounded and carried him away bound, making him stand up in the middle of the assembly, they enquired, “Where is thy mighty power now gone?” He was ashamed at hearing this; at this time, Narud Jee having come, said to Doorjodhun and all the Kouruvùs, “This is Shree Krishnù’s son, by name Sumboo, do not say any thing to him, whatever was to happen, has happened, Shree Krishnù and Bulram will come here with an army, prepared for battle, immediately they receive intelligence of him, whatever you have to say to him or hear from him, say and hear it; it is not at all becoming to taunt a child, whatever act his boyish understanding may have done.”
O great king! having thus spoken, Narud Jee took leave and proceeded to the city of Dwarka, and went and stood in the court of the Raja Oogursen; they all rose at seeing him and bowed their heads, and instantly brought a seat for him. Narud Jee when seated said, “O great king! the Kouruvùs have bound Sumboo, and have inflicted, and are still inflicting, great pain upon him. If you wish to take thought of him, do so now; otherwise it will be difficult for Sumboo to escape. The Kouruvùs have become very proud, and have shown no respect or consideration for you, they have bound the child in a manner that any one would bind an enemy.” Raja Oogursen was very angry at hearing this, and having summoned the descendants of Judoo, said to them, “Take all my army and advance against Hustinapoor, and having killed the Kouruvùs, release and bring Sumboo here.” When the army was ready to set out on receiving the Raja’s order, Bulram Jee went to explain to the Raja Oogursen, and said, “O great king! do not send an army against them; with your permission, I will go and complain to them and will have Sumboo released, and will bring him away with me; I will see why they have bound him; unless I go, the reason of this act will not appear.” Upon this the Raja Oogursen gave Bulram Jee permission to go to Hustinapoor; and Buldeo Jee went from Dwarka, accompanied by several great pundits, brahmins and by Narud, the sage, and arrived at Hustinapoor. Bulram on his arrival, having encamped on a piece of enclosed ground, said to Narud Jee, “O great king! we have encamped here; please go and inform the Kouruvùs of my arrival.” On receiving this order, Narud Jee went to the city and gave information of Bulram’s arrival; having heard this news they all prepared to go out and meet him. Bheekum, Kurun and Dron went together, taking handsome cloth dresses as presents. Doorjodhun went hastily forth, saying, “My spiritual preceptor, Sunburkhun, has come.”
Having recited thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said to the Raja,—O great king! all the Kouruvùs went to the enclosure where Bulram was encamped to visit him, and offered him presents; and, having fallen at his feet, joining their hands, eulogized him highly; after this having applied perfume and sandal, and putting a garland of flowers upon him, and spreading silken cloths, they conducted him, in musical procession, to the city; they then entertained him with all kinds of delicacies; and, sitting near him, made various enquiries, “O great king! why have you come here?” Bulram Jee replied, “I have been sent by the Raja Oogursen to deliver a message to you.” The Kouruvùs said, “What message?” Buldeo Jee replied, “The Raja says, that it was not becoming in you to do an act of enmity towards him: you were many and he a single child; you fought with him, abandoning all understanding and discrimination; you intentionally committed a great injustice, and, relinquishing respect for the world, laid hold of Krishnù’s son; you have now become very proud, and have designedly afflicted him.”
O great king! on hearing these words the Kouruvùs said, very angrily, “Enough! enough! Bulram Jee, do not exalt Oogursen any more, as we will not listen to you; it is scarcely four days, since no one knew or respected Oogursen; from the time he connected himself with us he has obtained high rank, and has now sent us a haughty message: is he not ashamed, considering that he obtained sovereign power sitting quietly at Dwarka, to forget entirely his former condition, and now to say whatever he pleases? Does he forget the day, when he used to associate and eat with cowherds and Goojurs at Muttra? We have now reaped the fruits of allowing him to eat with us, and forming an alliance with him, and procuring sovereign power for him. If we had done these good acts to a respectable man, he would have been thankful for them all his life; some one has said truly, ‘That the friendship of a mean person is like a wall of sand.’ ”
Having proceeded thus far in the narrative, Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—O great king! discoursing much in this strain, Kurun, Dron, Bheekum, Doorjodhun and all the Kouruvùs rose haughtily and went to their homes. Bulram Jee laughing at what they had said, thought to himself, “They are proud of their royal power and strength, and, therefore speak in this strain; otherwise, would they treat with such disrespect that Oogursen, who is the lord of Bruhmù, Roodrù and Indrù, to whom the three bow their heads? As my name is Buldeo, I will drown all the Kouruvùs with their city in the Ganges.”
O great king! having thus said, Buldeo Jee in great wrath laid hold of all the Kouruvùs and their city with his plough, and took them to a bank of the Ganges, and was on the point of drowning them, when all the Kouruvùs came in the greatest alarm and consternation, with joined hands, bowing their heads, and beseeching earnestly, began to say, in a submissive tone, “O great king! forgive our fault; we have come to you for protection, save us now, and we will do whatever you may order, and will be always obedient to the commands of Raja Oogursen.”
When, O great king! they had thus spoken, the wrath of Bulram Jee was appeased, and he allowed the city to remain on the site, to which, with his plough, he had drawn it, on the banks of the Ganges. From that day Hustinapoor has been on the banks of the Ganges, formerly it was not there; he afterwards released Sumboo, and Raja Doorjodhun, having propitiated his uncle and nephews, and taken them to his house, prepared a festive entertainment, and gave his daughter in marriage to Sumboo according to the prescribed injunctions of the Vedas; and presented her with a very handsome dowry.
Having recited thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—O great king; thus did Bulram Jee go to Hustinapoor, lower the pride of the Kouruvùs, release his nephew and bring him home after his marriage. At that time there was joy in all the city of Dwarka; and Buldeo Jee went and explained to the Raja Oogursen all the circumstances connected with Hustinapoor.
Shree Shookdeo Jeesaid,—O great king! it occurred once to Narud Jee to go and see how Shree Krishnù Chund carried on his domestic affairs with sixteen thousand one hundred and eight wives, with this thought in his mind, he came to Dwarka, and beheld outside the city high, lofty trees, flourishing, loaded with fruits and flowers, waving in the orchards, on which, pigeons, parrots, peacocks and other birds were sitting, and pouring forth pleasing notes; lotuses were blooming in elegant tanks, on which swarms of bees buzzed; on the banks geese, cranes and other birds were sporting about; in the flower gardens, the gardeners sang sweet strains, and throwing water high and low, saturated the different beds with it; in some places wheels and leather buckets were brought into play, and on the quays there were crowds of women carrying water on their heads: the beauty of whom cannot be described; to be appreciated, it must have been seen.
O great king! Narud Jee having beheld with delight the beautiful appearance of the forests and groves, saw on going into the city elegant, golden houses, covered with jewels, and shining brilliantly, on which flags and banners were waving. Wreaths and garlands of flowers were fastened upon each gate-way, at the doors were placed pillars of plantain and water-pots of gold, filled with sprouts. From the trellis-work, windows and lattices of each house, the smoke of the perfume, burnt at the time of worshipping, came curling forth, like a black cloud; in the midst of which the golden spires shone like lightning; in every dwelling there was worshipping and reading of prayers, and sacrifice and offering of gifts; and in every place people were engaged in adoration and meditation, songs and reading, and hearing the Pooranùs; here and there the descendants of Judoo were seated, forming a court, similar to that of Indrù, and joy was diffused throughout the city.
Having recited thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said to the Raja Pureechit,—O great king! Narud Jee being highly gratified on entering the city, began to say, “To what house shall I go first to find Shree Krishnù Chund?” Saying this, O great king! to himself, Narud Jee went to Shree Rookmunee’s house, where Shree Krishnù Chund was reclining at his ease, and who rose and stood up on seeing him; they brought a ewer of Rookmunee’s filled with water; Krishnù, having washed Narud Jee’s feet, and given him a seat, placed before him perfume, lamps and consecrated food, and offering adoration began to say to him with joined hands, “Happiness and wealth will follow the man in whose house the feet of good men fall. You have come and paid me, a householder, a visit in my house, for the sake of my salvation.”
O great king! when Krishnù had thus spoken, Narud Jee giving him this blessing, “May you long live to protect Shree Rookmunee,” went to the abode of Jamwutee, where he saw Huri playing atchoupur. On seeing Narud Jee, Krishnù rose up; when, having given him a blessing, Narud went away again; after this he went to Sutbhama’s and saw Shree Krishnù Chund seated, and having oil and perfumed paste applied to his body, Narud Jee returned thence in silence, because it is written in the Shastrùs “That at the time of the application of oil, a Raja should not make a salutation, nor a brahmin pronounce a benediction,” Narud Jee then went to Kalindee’s house, and there saw Huri asleep. O great king! Kalindee, on seeing Narud Jee, began to rub Huri’s feet, and awoke him, Krishnù, on awaking, approached the sage; and having made an obeisance, said with joined hands “The feet of holy men are like the waters of places of pilgrimage; wherever they fall they purify.” On hearing this and having given his blessing, Narud Jee rose, and went thence to the residence of Mittrabinda, he there saw brahmins being fed, and Shree Krishnù serving out food to them, Krishnù said, on seeing Narud Jee, “O great king! as you have done me the favour to come here, please partake of this food, and give me your leavings, and make pure my house.” Narud Jee replied, “O great king! I will come again, after having gone round to a few other houses, be pleased to serve out food to the brahmins, and I will take what is left on my return.” With these words, Narud Jee took leave and went to Sutya’s house, and there saw Shree Beharee, the benefactor of his worshippers, sitting pleased, and amusing himself, on beholding this state of affairs, Narud Jee went away thence, and having then gone to Bhudra’s abode, saw Huri eating, he returned thence to the house of Luchmuna, and there saw Krishnù bathing.
Having proceeded thus far in the narrative Shree Shookdeo said,—O great king! in this manner the sage, Narud Jee, went about to sixteen thousand one hundred and eight houses, but did not see a single house without Shree Krishnù in it, and wherever he beheld him he saw him engaged in some domestic occupation, having observed this custom Narud was astonished, “That there was not a house without Krishnù in it, wherever I go, there is the beloved Huri; thus has Krishnù spread about his pastimes. In each of the sixteen thousand one hundred and eight houses, the supporter of the hill (Krishnù) remains with one of his wives.” The delighted sage said reflecting, “The deceptive power, which jogees are supposed to possess, belongs to thee, O lord of the Judoos! no one can understand this power; and who can escape from it?”
O great king! when Narud Jee, in a state of astonishment, had thus spoken, Shree Krishnù Chund, the bestower of happiness said, “Narud! be not all grieved in thy mind; my delusive power is very mighty and has been spread over the whole world; it fascinates even me, who else has ability to escape from its influence, and who that has come into the world is not affected by it.” Narud having heard this and bowing his head, said, beseechingly, “Take compassion on me, O lord of the Judoos! in order that veneration for thee may exist always in my thoughts and that my mind, being under the influence of delusion, may not desire objects of sense.”
Raja! Narud Jee having thus spoken, took leave of Krishnù, and, having made the usual parting salutation, returned to his own dwelling playing on the lute and singing. Shree Krishnù Chund Jee continued his pastimes at Dwarka.
Shree Shookdeo Jee, said,—O great king! on one occasion Shree Krishnù Chund was diverting himself with Rookmunee during the night, and she was sitting in a state of ecstatic delight, and feasting her partridge-like eyes by gazing on the moon-like countenance of her beloved, when in the mean while the night passed away, birds chirped, there was a red colour in the sky; the chukoor suffered from separation; ruddy geese were in pairs, the lotus bloomed and water lilies withered, the beauty of the moon was diminished, and the splendour of the sun increased; all people were awake and began to occupy themselves with their domestic affairs, at that time Rookmunee Jee, quitting Huri’s side, began to engage thoughtfully and modestly in household matters; and Shree Krishnù Jee, having performed his ablutions, washed his hands and face, bathed and finished his prayers, meditations, adoration and oblations of water, having given gifts of various kinds to brahmins, completed his daily work, received the daily offering presented to him early in the morning, and eaten it with cloves, cardamums, mace and nutmegs, arrayed himself in elegant clothes and ornaments; and putting on arms, went to the Raja Oogursen, and having afterwards come into the court of the descendants of Judoo, sat upon a jewelled throne.
O great king! at that time a brahmin went and said to the door-keepers, “Go and tell Shree Krishnù Chund Jee, that a brahmin is standing at the gate, who is desirous of seeing him; and with his permission, the brahmin will come in.” On hearing what the brahmin said, a door-keeper went and informed Bhugwan, “O great king! a brahmin is standing at the gate, desirous of seeing you; and, with your permission, he will come into your presence.” Huri replied, “Bring him immediately.” On Krishnù uttering these words the door-keepers ushered the brahmin quickly into his presence; and, on seeing him, Shree Krishnù Chund descended from his throne, and, having made an obeisance, and advancing and taking him by the hand, brought him into the palace, and having seated him by his side on the jewelled throne, thus addressed him, “Say, O divinity! whence and for what purpose hast thou come?” The brahmin replied, “O sea of compassion and brother of the poor! I have come from the Mugudh country, and bring a message from twenty thousand Rajas.” Krishnù enquired, “What message?” The brahmin replied, “O great king! the twenty thousand Rajas, whom Joorasindhoo has forcibly confined, putting handcuffs and leg-irons upon them, have, with the utmost submissiveness, sent this message by me to you. O lord of the poor! this is your custom that whenever demons vex your worshippers you descend upon the earth and afford them protection. O lord! in the same manner, that you released Purhlad from Hirunkusyp, and an elephant from the shark, be pleased, compassionately, to release us also now from this great affliction; we are in grievous trouble; and, with exception of you, no one has power to rescue and deliver us from this heavy calamity.”
O great king! on hearing these words, Krishnù being mercifully disposed towards them, said to the brahmin, “O divinity! do not suffer anxiety any more on their account, it shall now be my office to remove their afflictions.” The brahmin was gratified by this speech of Shree Krishnù Chund’s, and began to give him a blessing. In the mean while Narud Jee made his appearance there, and Shree Krishnù Chund, having made a salutation to him, enquired, “Narud Jee! you go and come every where, tell me how are Joodisthur and the other Pandoos, my five brothers, getting on now-a-days, and what are they about? It is long since I heard any thing about them; and for this reason my thoughts are occupied with them.” Narud Jee replied, “O great king! I am just come from them, they are quite well, but are much, and anxiously occupied in making preparations for a royal sacrifice, and are saying repeatedly, ‘Without Shree Krishnù Chund’s assistance, our sacrifice will not be complete.’ For this reason, O great king! be pleased to adopt my suggestion, and first make arrangements for their sacrifice, and afterwards proceed elsewhere.”
O great king! on hearing this speech of Narud Jee’s, Krishnù sent for Oodho Jee, and said to him, “Oodho! you are my friend, never absent from my mind or sight, there is an immense crowd at both places; to which will you go first O brave warrior? so many Rajas, suffering grievous misfortune, are expecting my approach and here the Pandoos have prepared a sacrifice.” Thus did Krishnù address Oodho.
Shree Shookdeo Jeesaid,—O great king! Shree Krishnù Chund Jee allowed the brahmin to take leave, who brought the message of the Rajas, having first said to him, “O divine being! go and say from me to all the Rajas not to be at all anxious, as I shall come soon and liberate them.” With these words, O great king! Shree Krishnù Chund dismissed the brahmin, and having taken Oodho Jee with him, went into the court of the Rajas Oogursen and Soorsen, and mentioned all the news he had heard in their presence. On hearing which they were silent; upon this Oodho Jee said, “O great king! do these two things; first, release the Rajas from the power of Joorasindhoo, and afterwards go and make arrangements for the sacrifice; because no one, except a Raja, can take part in a royal sacrifice; and there are twenty thousand Rajas collected at that place; if you will set them free, they will, without invitation, assist in the sacrifice, showing you the greatest respect for your favour to them. O great king! if any one else were to conquer the ten quarters of the world, he would not find so many Rajas collected together; it is therefore most advisable that you go to Hustinapoor; and, uniting and consulting with the Panduvùs, do what is necessary to be done.” O great king! Oodho Jee after this again said, “Raja Joorasindhoo is very liberal, and a great respecter and worshipper of the cow and brahmin; every one who asks him for any thing receives it; no beggar ever returns disappointed from his presence; he never speaks falsely, and fulfils every promise he makes, and he has the strength of ten thousand elephants; which strength is equal to that of Bheemsen. Lord! if you go there, take Bheemsen also with you, I have an idea, that he will perish by Bheemsen’s hand.”
Having proceeded thus far in the narrative, Shree Shookdeo Jee said to the Raja Pureechit,—Raja! when Oodho Jee had thus spoken Shree Krishnù Chund, having taken leave of Rajas Oogursen and Soorsen, said to the descendants of Judoo, “Get my army ready, as I shall go to Hustinapoor.” On hearing this, the descendants of Judoo arranged and brought the whole army, and Krishnù accompanied it with his eight queens.
O great king! when Shree Krishnù Chund, accompanied by his family and army, and sounding the great kettle-drum, proceeded from the city of Dwarka to Hustinapoor, the beauty of the scene exceeded all description; in front of all were the castles of the elephants; on the right and left was the protection of chariots and horses; in the centre was the seraglio; and in rear of all, accompanied by his army, and affording universal protection, came Shree Krishnù Chund Jee; wherever they encamped, a handsome, elegant city of many coss in extent was formed. The Rajas of different countries came in a state of alarm to pay visits, and offer presents; and Krishnù, seeing that they were terrified, consoled them in every way; at length, having proceeded with this great pomp and show, Huri arrived with them all in the neighbourhood of Hustinapoor. Upon this some one went, and said to the Raja Joodisthur, “O great king! some monarch with a very large army and a great retinue of followers, has advanced into your country, be pleased to take measures quickly for arresting his progress, otherwise he will be here immediately.”
The Raja Joodisthur, O great king! was alarmed at these words and sent his two younger brothers, Nukool and Suhdeo, to confront Krishnù, having given them this instruction, “See and come and inform me what Raja is coming to attack us.” On receiving the Raja’s order Suhdeo and Nukool went to see who had come, and on their return reported to the Raja, “O lord of our lives! Huri has come.” On hearing this the Raja banished all anxiety. Raja Joodisthur, being greatly delighted, sent afterwards for Bheem and Urjoon and said to his four brothers, “Go all of you in advance to meet Krishnù and bring him here with you.”
Having received, O great king! the Raja’s order, and heard of Krishnù’s arrival, the four brothers were very much pleased and taking with them the necessary presents and materials for offering adoration and accompanied by learned pundits, they went forth with music playing, and singing songs to bring Krishnù in; at length, having met him with great respect and reverence, and offered presents and adoration in the manner prescribed by the Vedas, the four brothers brought Krishnù with them into the city in musical procession, spreading silken cloths on the road for him to walk upon, showering down flowers of silver and gold, sprinkling perfumes, sandal and rose-water, and presenting sweet scents, lamps and consecrated food. The Raja Joodisthur was exceedingly gratified to meet Krishnù, and considered that all his wishes in life had been accomplished. After this all persons outside and inside the city had cordial meetings, observing the usual ceremonies, and mutually interchanged civilities and kindnesses, and were in the highest degree pleased; joy was diffused every where, and Shree Krishnù Chund, by staying there, made them all happy.
Shree Shookdeo Jeesaid,—O great king! one day Shree Krishnù Chund, the sea of compassion, the brother of poor and the benefactor of his worshippers, was sitting in an assembly of wise men, sages, brahmins and Chuttrees, when the Raja Joodisthur came; and, beseeching earnestly and bowing his head, said to him, with joined hands, “O lord of Shivù and Bruhmù! gods, sages, holy men and jogees constantly meditate on you; you are the unseen, invisible and impenetrable; no one understands the secrets of your nature; holy men and jogees meditate on you with profound attention; but you do not for a moment enter their minds; you appear to us at our home, and have an affection for your worshippers; the sports you engage in, Mohun, no one can comprehend; the world has been deceived by your delusive power! you behave towards us as a mortal; you look upon those as your superiors, who bear you in remembrance, O lord of the world! you are far from the proud man, and the root of the life of the speaker of truth.”
O great king! having thus spoken, Raja Joodisthur then said, “O merciful to the poor! through your compassion, all that I had in view has been accomplished, but I have still one desire.” Krishnù enquired, “What is it?” The Raja said, “O great king! it is my wish to perform a royal sacrifice, and present it as an offering to you, and thereby cross over the sea of the world.” On hearing these words Shree Krishnù Chund was delighted, and said, “Raja! you have formed a good wish, by this gods, men, saints and sages will all be gratified; this will be agreeable to all, and it is not at all difficult for you to do this; because your four brothers, Urjoon, Bheem, Nukool and Suhdeo are very renowned and powerful; there is not any one in the world now who can oppose them; first send them forth to conquer, and bring under subjection the Rajas of the ten quarters of the world, and after that perform the sacrifice at your ease.”
Raja! when Krishnù had thus spoken, the Raja Joodisthur sent for his four brothers, and giving them armies, sent them in four different directions; Suhdeo Jee went to the South, Nukool to the West, Urjoon to the North, and Bheemsen to the East. Some time after this, O great king! the four brothers, by the glorious favour of Huri, having conquered the seven islands and nine divisions of the earth, and subjugated the Rajas of the ten quarters, brought them back with them, at that time Raja Joodisthur, having joined his hands, said to Shree Krishnù Chund Jee, “O great king! through your aid this business has been accomplished; what are your orders now?” Upon this, Oodho Jee said, “O incarnation of justice! the kings of all countries have come, with exception of the Raja Joorasindhoo, of the Mugudh country, who is not under your authority; and until he shall be made subject to you, it will not be of advantage to perform the sacrifice. The Raja Joorasindhoo, the son of Jydruth, is very mighty and renowned, and liberal and just; not every one has power to oppose him.” When the Raja Joodisthur having heard this was sad; Shree Krishnù Chund said, “O great king! be not at all anxious, but give the order to my brothers, Bheem and Urjoon, and to me, and we will, either by force or stratagem, bring him here bound, or kill him.” On hearing these words, Raja Joodisthur gave the order to the two brothers; and then Huri, accompanied by the two brothers, took the road to the Mugudh country; when they had advanced some distance on their journey, Shree Krishnù Chund Jee said to Urjoon and Bheem, “Travel as brahmins, and let us kill our enemy by stratagem or force.”
O great king! having thus spoken, Shree Krishnù Chund Jee assumed the appearance of a brahmin, and Bheem and Urjoon did the same also. The three having drawn three horizontal lines across their foreheads, and taking each a book under his arm, went along assuming the same bright, handsome, elegant and well-arranged appearance, as the three properties of humanity, truth, passion and ignorance, would assume, if they put on corporeal form, or as the three times, present, past and future, would assume. At length, after some days’ journey, they arrived in the Mugudh country, and at mid-day stood at the gate of the Raja Joorasindhoo. On seeing their appearance, the gate-keepers went, and said to the Raja, “O great king! three brahmin guests (or beggars) of very splendid appearance, great pundits, and very intelligent are standing at the gate, desirous of some thing. What are your orders to us?”
O great king! at these words, Raja Joorasindhoo rose up, and came to where the brahmins were standing; and having made an obeisance to the three, conducted them with the greatest respect and deference to his house; afterwards, having seated them on a throne, he stood in their presence with joined hands, and looking at them, and reflecting said, “The beggar, who being a great Raja, comes to another man’s gate, is called a guest, you are not brahmins, but strong, powerful men of war, deceit of any kind is wrong; if a thug (or impostor) come as such, he is regarded in his proper character, and not as an honest man; the lustre of your Chutree appearance cannot be concealed: you seem to be resolute, bold, strong men. You three brothers are splendid to behold, bestowers of boons like Shivù, Bruhmù and Vishnù. This is what appears probable to me; but do you, O deities! give an explanation yourselves; whatever you may desire I will do for you, and will not swerve from my agreement. A liberal man never speaks falsely, and will not keep back his wealth, body or any thing else; I will make you any present you ask for, my children, wives, any thing I may have, and my life.”
On hearing these words, Shree Krishnù Chund Jee said, “O great king! once on a time, there was a very liberal Raja, named Hurchund, whose fame is still spread abroad in the world; on one occasion there was a famine in Raja Hurchund’s country; and in consequence of the dearth of grain vast numbers of people began to die; upon this, the Raja sold all his property, and gave food to his people; when all his country, towns and wealth were gone; and the Raja was left without any money, one evening he was sitting hungry with his family, when Biswamittrù came, and, in order to test his truth and sincerity, said, ‘O great king! give me wealth, and derive the same advantage from doing so, as you would derive from giving a daughter in marriage.’ On hearing this speech, the Raja brought out all that was in his house, and gave it him, then the holy man said, ‘O great king! my business will not be completed with this much money.’ After this the Raja sold his male and female servants, and brought the proceeds, and gave them to the sage; and having expended all his wealth, and sold all his servants, he was left without money and without servants, and only with his wives and children. The sage again said, ‘O form of justice! my business has not been accomplished by the money you have given me, to whom shall I go now, and ask for more? I do not know of any one in the world, who is wealthier, more virtuous and liberal than you are. Yes, there is a Chundal, named Soopuch, who is a vessel of wealth; if you tell me to do so, I will go and ask him for money, but I am ashamed to do so for one reason, that having begged from so liberal a Raja, what should I beg from him?’ O great king! on hearing these words, Raja Hurchund took Biswamittrù with him, and went to the house of that Chundal, and said to him, ‘Brother! keep me in pledge for a year, and fulfil his wishes for him.’ Soopuch said, ‘How will you be able to do my work and banish all pride and passion from your mind? You are a very illustrious and mighty Raja; and the service you will have to perform for me is of a low, menial kind and severe. O great king! my business is to keep watch in a cemetery, and to receive a tax on every corpse that comes there, and afterwards to watch and guard my own house; if you can do this, I will give the rupees required, and keep you in pledge.’ The Raja said, ‘Well I will serve you for a year; give him the money.’ When the Raja had thus spoken, Soopuch counted out the money to Biswamittrù, which he took away to his home; and the Raja remaining at the Chundal’s house, began to wait upon him. After some days, Raja Hurchund’s son, Roohitas, died; and his mother went with her son’s corpse into the burying place; and as she was on the point of lighting the funeral pile she had erected, the Raja came, and asked for the tax; the Ranee being displeased and grieved said, ‘Consider and reflect, O Raja! this is your son, Roohitas, and I have nothing wherewith to pay the tax, except this cloth, which I am now wearing.’ The Raja replied, ‘I have no option in the matter; I am employed on my master’s business, and if I do not do his work, my character for truth will be lost.’ O great king! when the Ranee, on hearing this, put her hand on the border of the cloth to take it off, the three worlds trembled. Upon this Bhugwan, who had observed the sincerity of the Raja and Ranee, first sent a chariot, and afterwards having appeared himself, liberated all three. O great king! when Bruhmù, having restored Roohitas to life, and seated the Raja and Ranee, together with their son, on a chariot, gave the order to proceed to the celestial paradise, Raja Hurchund joining his hands, said to Bhugwan, ‘O brother of the poor, purifying the guilty and kind to the wretched! how can I go and dwell in paradise without Soopuch?’ Having heard this speech, and knowing the Raja’s secret wishes, Huri, the benefactor of his worshippers, the sea of compassion, granted deliverance to Soopuch, together with the city in which he abode, and to the Raja, Ranee and their son. There Hurchund obtained immortality; and here for ages, his fame has been handed down.”
Having mentioned this account of Hurchund to Joorasindhoo Shree Krishnù Chund Jee said, “O great king! and besides the above instance, Ratdeo performed a penance, during which he remained forty-eight days without water; and when he sat down to drink, some one, who was thirsty, came to him. He did not drink any water himself, but gave it to the thirsty man; and by the gift of that water, obtained salvation. Again the Raja Buli was very munificent in his gifts, and obtained the government of the infernal regions, and even yet, his great renown is being handed down. Again the sage Oodwal ate after six months’ fasting. On one occasion a beggar came to him, when it was his eating time; he did not himself eat any food, but gave it to the beggar, and died from excess of the hunger he then endured, and afterwards in consequence of having given away his food, he went to Vishnù’s celestial paradise, mounted on a chariot. Again, on one occasion, Raja Indrù went with all the gods, and said to Dudheech, ‘O great king! we cannot escape now from the hands of Brittasoor, unless you give us one of your bones, and then we shall escape, otherwise escape will be difficult, because he can only be destroyed by a weapon, formed of one of your bones.’ On hearing this, O great king! Dudheech having had his body licked by a cow extracted his thigh bone and gave it to the gods, who made it into a thunderbolt, and Dudheech having sacrificed his life, obtained paradise. Such are instances of men of boundless liberality, whose fame the world celebrates.”
Raja! having thus spoken, Shree Krishnù Chund Jee, said to Joorasindhoo, “O great king! you equal in the present age the just and liberal Rajas, who flourished formerly in other ages, and now satisfy our expectations in the same way, that formerly they fulfilled the desires of those who solicited them. There is a saying, ‘What will not a beggar ask, and what will not a liberal man give; he has no avaricious desire for his house, sons and wives, but will give up his body and head, and obtain celebrity.’ ” When Krishnù had thus spoken, Joorasindhoo said, “A beggar has no sympathy with a donor, but in spite of this the liberal and resolute do not lay aside their usual dispositions, whether they derive pleasure or pain from the exercise of them. Lo! Huri, being disguised as, and transformed into, a dwarf, went to the Raja Buli, an asked for three paces of ground; at that time, Shookrù cautioned Buli not to give it, but the Raja did not swerve from his promise, he gave the earth together with his body, and has obtained renown in the world by this act. What celebrity has Vishnù acquired by being a beggar, who, having received every thing, acted perversely? For this reason, do you first of all explain your names, and your mysterious appearance, and I will then grant whatever you ask. I do not speak falsely.” Shree Krishnù Chund replied, “Raja! we are Chutrees; Basoodeo is my name; you know me very well, and these two, Urjoon and Bheem, are my father’s sister’s children; we have come to fight with you, be pleased to fight with us; we have come here to make this request, and do not ask any thing else from you.”
Having, O great king! heard this speech of Shree Krishnù Chund Jee’s, Joorasindhoo laughed and said, “Why should I fight with you; you have already fled from before me? Nor will I fight with Urjoon, because he went into the Bidurubh country, disguised as a woman; there remains Bheemsen, with whom I will fight, if you wish it, he is my equal, and I am not ashamed to fight with him. First of all refresh yourselves with food, and afterwards wrestle in the palæstra.” Having given them refreshments the Raja came out, and sent a message to Bheemsen. He gave him his own club, and took himself one belonging to another man. Moorari went and sat where all the spectators were assembled in a circle, Joorasindhoo and Bheemsen stood up simultaneously, opposed to each other; they had helmets on their heads, and fastened tight the cloths they wore round their hips, and tucked them in behind, appearing very like jugglers.
O great king! when the two heroes striking the upper part of their arms in preparation for the encounter, holding their clubs at arm’s length, changing their attitudes, and moving slowly from side to side, confronted each other in the palæstra, they seemed like two “must” elephants, rushing upon each other. Before the struggle commenced, Joorasindhoo said to Bheemsen, “Strike the first blow with your club, because you came to my gate in the appearance of a brahmin; and I will not, therefore, strike you first.” Having heard this, Bheemsen replied, “Raja! we will have a fair fight, and the understanding is not necessary, that I should strike first, let who will, strike first.”
O great king! these two brave men having thus conversed with each other, aimed blows simultaneously, and began to fight. They watched each other’s stratagems, inflicting wounds right and left; and jumped about, avoiding blows, and sparred and fought club against club; they struck their clubs violently against each other, making them clash, and inflicting wounds. Great noise and tumult were produced by the collision.
Having narrated thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said to the Raja Pureechit,—O great king! in this manner those two resolute antagonists had a fair fight during the whole day; and coming in the evening to the house, ate and rested together. They thus spent twenty-seven days, fighting continually; when one day at their fighting time, Shree Krishnù Chund Jee thought to himself, that Joorasindhoo could not be destroyed by this mode of encounter, because, when he was born, he was born in two separate parts; and the female Demon, Jura, his mother, closed his mouth and nose; and then the two separate parts were united. Having been informed of this circumstance, his father, Jyedruth, summoned the astrologers, and enquired from them, “What the child’s name should be, and what would be his future career?” The astrologers said, “O great king! his name is Joorasindhoo, and he shall acquire a very glorious reputation, and shall not be subject to the infirmities of age, and shall be immortal: and shall not be destroyed by any one, until the junction, uniting the two separate parts of his body, shall be rent asunder.”
Having thus spoken, the astrologers took leave. O great king! Shree Krishnù Jee reflected upon these matters in his mind; and, having bestowed his own strength upon Bheemsen, and splitting a straw winked to him, that he must split up Joorasindhoo in the same manner. On receiving this hint from Krishnù, Bheemsen laid hold of Joorasindhoo and threw him down, and having placed his foot on one of his thighs, and laying hold of his other foot with his hand, he tore him asunder, just as any one would tear asunder a stick for cleaning the teeth. On the death of Joorasindhoo, gods, men and celestial musicians, playing upon drums and other musical instruments, and raining down flowers, began to raise shouts of victory; and grief and calamity having departed, joy was diffused throughout the city. At that time, the wife of Joorasindhoo came and stood, weeping and lamenting in the presence of Krishnù, joining her hands, she exclaimed, “Bravo! bravo! you have great reason to exult, O lord! in having taken away the life of him, who gave you every thing, this is the sort of friendship, you show to one, who resigns to you his sons, wealth and body. Under a disguised appearance you have practised deceit and violence, and this is the celebrity you have acquired coming into the world.”
O great king! when the wife of Joorasindhoo, from tenderness for her husband’s memory, spoke thus solicitingly, with joined hands in presence of the abode of mercy; then Krishnù taking compassion on her, first performed the funeral obsequies of Joorasindhoo, and having afterwards sent for his son, Suhdeo, making the marks of sovereignty on his forehead, and seating him on a throne said, “Son! carry on a moral government, and protect sages, holy men, cows, brahmins and your subjects.”
Shree Shookdeo Jeesaid,—O great king! Shree Krishnù Chund Jee having seated Suhdeo on the royal throne; and, having given him advice, said to him, “Raja! go now and bring those Rajas, whom your father kept shut up in a hill cave.” On hearing these words from the mouth of Krishnù, Joorasindhoo’s son, Suhdeo, consenting to bring them, went to the cave; and, having removed a stone from the mouth of it, brought forth twenty thousand eight hundred Rajas, and took them to the presence of Huri. On coming there with handcuffs and leg-irons, iron collars on their necks, their nails and hair grown long, bodies emaciated, depressed in spirits, and dirty in appearance, all the Rajas stood in rows before Krishnù, joining their hands, they submissively said, “O sea of compassion and brother of the poor! you have thought of us in good time, otherwise we should have died; by seeing you our lives have been restored, and our former griefs have been obliterated.”
On hearing these words, O great king! when Shree Krishnù Chund, the sea of favour, looked upon them; Suhdeo immediately took them away; and, having had their handcuffs, leg-irons and the rings with which their fetters were fastened, cut off, causing them to be shaved and bathed, and washed, entertaining them with all sorts of delicacies, giving them clothes and ornaments, and furnishing them with arms, brought them again into Huri’s presence; at that time Shree Krishnù Chund Jee appeared to them in a form with four arms, and holding a shell, quoit, club and lotus. On beholding the form Krishnù had assumed, the Rajas joining their hands said, “Lord! you liberate mortals from the difficult bonds of the world; what difficulty was there to you to release us from the imprisonment of Joorasindhoo? As you have compassionately released us from this severe confinement, release us also from this well in the form of a dwelling, free us from desire, anger, avarice and inordinate affection, in order that we may sit down in retirement and meditate on you, and cross over the sea of the world.”
Shree Shookdeo Jee said, Raja! when all the Rajas had spoken these words, so full of knowledge and devotion, Shree Krishnù Chund Jee was delighted and said, “They who worship me with sincerity of mind, shall certainly obtain deliverance and salvation; bondage and release are trials of the mind, to him whose mind is firm; the house and forest are alike; have no other anxiety in your minds, than living happily at your homes; carry on a well regulated government, protect the subject; attend upon the cow and brahmin; do not speak falsely; avoid lust, anger, avarice and pride; worship Huri with sentiments of religion, and you will certainly obtain eternal happiness; whoever, coming into the world, has indulged in pride, has not lived long; behold! how many pride has brought to destruction. His strength destroyed Pursooram, celebrated as being very powerful, and having a thousand arms. Raja Bynoo became Rawun, and was ruined by his pride. Bhomasoor and Banasoor, and Kuns were all exterminated through pride. Let no one be intoxicated with prosperity, or indulge in pride; he who shuns pride may live without fear.”
Having thus spoken, Shree Krishnù Chund said to all the Rajas, “Go now to your homes, have meetings with you relations, arrange the affairs of your kingdoms and settle yourselves upon your thrones, and come quickly, about the time of my own arrival, to Hustinapoor, to the Raja Joodisthur’s, to assist at the royal sacrifice.”
O great king! when Shree Krishnù Chund Jee had thus spoken, Suhdeo instantly procured all things necessary for the departure of the Rajas. They received them; and, taking leave of Krishnù, went each to his own country, and Shree Krishnù Chund Jee also travelled thence joyfully, accompanied by Suhdeo and Bheem, and Urjoon, and came to Hustinapoor. Krishnù having gone, after his arrival, to the Raja Joodisthur, explained to him all the circumstances, attending the death of Joorasindhoo, and the release of the Rajas.
Having recited thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said to the Raja Pureechit,—O great king! about the time of the arrival of Shree Krishnù Chund, the root of joy, at Hustinapoor, the Rajas arrived also with their armies, and with presents; and, having had an interview with Raja Joodisthur, and offered their presents, they encamped on all sides of Hustinapoor by order of Shree Krishnù Chund Jee, and prepared to assist in the sacrifice.
Shree Shookdeo Jeesaid,—Raja! listen with attention, and I will now relate how Raja Joodisthur performed the sacrifice, and Sissoopal was slain, when the twenty thousand eight hundred Rajas went there, all the other Rajas from the surrounding countries, and from every quarter, whether descendants of the sun, or descendants of the moon, came also, and were ready at Hustinapoor. Then Shree Krishnù Chund and Raja Joodisthur together behaved with the utmost affability to all the Rajas, and made all the arrangements, and entrusted each with a specific duty in the sacrifice. After this, Shree Krishnù Chund Jee said to the Raja Joodisthur, “O great king! we five brothers, Bheem, Urjoon, Nukool, Suhdeo and myself, together with the other Rajas, will do all the extraneous work, and do you be so good as to send for the sages, priests and brahmins, and begin the sacrifice.”
O great king! on hearing these words, Raja Joodisthur, having summoned all the priests, sages, and brahmins, said, “O great kings! order all things necessary for the sacrifice.” At these words, the priests, sages and brahmins, having consulted their holy books, wrote down on a paper a list of all the articles required; and the Raja caused them to be procured immediately, and placed before them. The priests, sages and brahmins together erected an altar for the sacrifice. The priests, sages and brahmins of the four Vedas, having spread their seats, sat down in the middle of the altar; then Raja Joodisthur, having purified himself, came and sat down there also with his wife, the skirts of their mantles, being tied together as at a bridal. And Dronahcharuj, Kripacharuj, Dritrasht, Doorjodhun, Sissoopal and all the other mighty men, and great Rajas came and sat there also. The brahmins, having strewed boiled rice, and prayed for the blessings of the gods on the ceremony about to be performed; and, having caused Gunesh to be worshipped, made an offering of a jar of water, with the twigs of five sacred trees placed in it, and invoked the nine planets. The Raja hired for the performance of the religious ceremonies Bhurdooaj, Goutum, Bisist, Biswamittrù, Bamdeo, Purasur, Byas, Kusyp and other great priests, sages and brahmins; who, having repeated incantations from the Vedas, summoned all the gods; and, having caused the Raja to make a vow of giving alms of the sacrifice, they began to prepare the burnt offerings.
O great king! having repeated the incantations, the priests, sages and brahmins began to offer oblations with fire to the deities; and the gods, openly extending their hands began to receive them; at that time the brahmins were reading the Vedas, and all the Rajas brought the different materials of the burnt offerings, and presented them to the brahmins, and the Raja Joodisthur was engaged with the burnt offerings, when the sacrifice was peaceably completed, and the Raja gave the final oblation. At that time, gods, men and sages began to utter exclamations of praise of all the Rajas; and the demi-gods, celestial musicians, and choristers began to play upon musical instruments, celebrate their fame in songs, and rain down flowers.
Having narrated thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said to the Raja Pureechit,—O great king! being free from all the business of the sacrifice, Raja Joodisthur, having sent for Suhdeo Jee, enquired, “Whose adoration shall we perform first; to whom shall we give unbroken rice and marks upon the forehead? Who is the great lord of the gods, to whom we may bow the head, and offer worship?” Suhdeo Jee said, “O great king! Basoodeo is the god of all the gods; no one understands his nature; he is the lord of Bruhmù, Roodrù and Indrù; but be pleased to worship and bow the head to him first, as by giving water to the root of a tree, all the branches become green, so all the gods are gratified by adoration being offered to Huri, he is the lord of the universe, and he creates, preserves and destroys; his pastimes are endless; no one knows the end of them; he is the unseen, invisible and impenetrable lord; Luchmee having become a servant, constantly attends upon his lotus feet; he descends upon the earth continually for the sake of his worshippers; and, assuming corporeal form, appears and acts like a mortal; he comes and sits in our houses, and calls us ‘brothers;’ and fascinates us with his delusive power; we being deluded by great fascination and affection, consider the deity as a brother; we have not seen any one so great as him, let him be first worshipped.”
O great king! on hearing this speech, all the saints, sages and Rajas exclaimed, “Raja! Suhdeo Jee has spoken truly, Huri is worthy of our first adoration.” Then Raja Joodisthur having seated Shree Krishnù Chund Jee upon a throne, together with his eight queens, offered adoration to him, presenting sandal, unbroken rice, flowers, perfume, lamps and consecrated food; after this he worshipped all the gods, saints, sages, brahmins and Rajas, arrayed them in dresses of different colours, made marks upon their foreheads with sandal and saffron, decorated them with garlands of flowers, and sprinkling perfume, the Raja, with due observance of what was right and fitting, behaved to them all with the most engaging politeness.
Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—Raja! all were pleased with the adoration of Huri, except Sissoopal, who hung down his head for a long time, he kept his head bent towards the ground, and remained thoughtful and reflecting; at length, being in the hands of death, he descended very angrily from his throne into the middle of the assembly; and, laying aside all reserve and fear, said, “In this assembly are Dritrasht, Doorjodhun, Bheekhum, Kurun, Dronachuruj and others, men of great knowledge and dignity of character; but their rank and understanding have, on this occasion, been entirely overlooked. Great chiefs of saints and sages have been sitting here, whilst adoration has been offered to the son of the cowherd, Nund, and no one has said any thing; he who was born in Bruj, and has eaten the leavings of the cowherds’ children’s prepared food, has, in this assembly, received high honour and exaltation. All here thoughtlessly call him great, they bestow the strength of the lord of the gods upon a crow, they have in this assembly made him the most holy of men, who fixed his affections on cowherdesses and herdsmen’s wives; all in a body have celebrated the praises of him, who stole from every house, and ate milk, curds, butter-milk and butter; respect has here been paid to him, who received alms on the roads, and ghauts; all have advisedly made the honorary marks first on his forehead, who, by force and stratagem, has enjoyed himself with other men’s wives. This is he, who abolished the worship of Indrù in Bruj and established the worship of a mountain; and afterwards he was not ashamed to play off a trick, and eat up all the different confections and things he had caused to be brought near the mountain for the worship of Indrù. All have here regarded, as invisible and immortal, him, whose pedigree, parentage and family are certainly known.”
Having proceeded thus far in the narrative, Shree Shookdeo Jee said to the Raja Pureechit,—O great king! in this manner Raja Sissoopal being in the power of death, was casting many reproaches upon Shree Krishnù Chund Jee, who, seated on a throne in the midst of the assembly, listened, and drew a line for every reproach that was uttered; in the mean while Bheekum, Kurun, Dron and other great Rajas, having heard Huri spoken of disparagingly, were very angry, and said to Sissoopal, “Fool! dost thou in the midst of this assembly in our presence speak disparagingly of Krishnù? O mean, low caste wretch! be silent, otherwise we will immediately throw you down, and put you to death.”
O great king! having thus spoken, all the Rajas seizing their weapons, rose up and rushed towards Sissoopal to kill him. Shree Krishnù Chund, the root of joy, then prevented them, and said, “Do not use your arms against him, stand here and look on, he will bring destruction on himself presently, I will tolerate a hundred offences in him, because I have agreed to do so; but I will not tolerate more than a hundred, and therefore I have been drawing these lines.”
O great king! on hearing this speech, all, having joined their hands, enquired from Shree Krishnù Chund, “O lord of compassion! what is the reason that you will pardon a hundred faults on his part, be pleased kindly to explain to us, that the doubts of our minds may be removed?” Krishnù said, “When he (Sissoopal) was born, he had three eyes and four arms, when his father, Raja Dumadhok, was informed of this he sent for astrologers and great pundits and enquired, ‘What sort of child will this be, consider and give me your answer?’ On hearing what the Raja said, the pundits and astrologers, having consulted the Shastrùs, replied, ‘O great king! this child will be possessed of great strength, and will be highly renowned, and we are also of opinion that this child will be destroyed by him, at meeting with whom one of his eyes and two of his arms shall fall down.’ Having heard this, his mother, Muhadewee, the daughter of Soorsen, the sister of Basoodeo, my maternal aunt, was very sad, and passed day and night in anxious thought about her child; after some days, she came on one occasion with her son to her father’s house at Dwarka, and presented her son to every one; when the child and I met, one of its eyes, and two of its arms fell upon the ground, then my aunt having bound me by a promise, said, ‘The child’s death is in your hands, please do not kill it, I ask this as an alms from you.’ I replied, ‘Very good, I will not reckon a hundred faults he may commit, should he commit any in excess of this number, I will destroy him.’ Having received this promise from me, my aunt took leave of us all with these words, ‘How can the child commit a hundred offences against Krishnù and perish by his hand,’ and returned home with her son.”
O great king! having mentioned this account of Sissoopal, and obliterated the doubts of all the Rajas’ minds, Shree Krishnù Jee counted the lines he had drawn separately for each offence, which amounted to more than a hundred. Krishnù then gave an order to the quoit, Soodursen, who instantly cut off Sissoopal’s head. The brilliant light, which came forth from his body, went at once to the sky, and returning thence settled in the sight of all, on the mouth of Shree Krishnù Chund. On beholding this exploit, gods, men and sages began to raise cries of exultation and rain flowers. On that occasion, Shree Moorari, the benefactor of his worshippers, gave him a third deliverance, and performed his funeral obsequies.
Having heard thus much of the narrative, Raja Pureechit enquired from Shree Shookdeo Jee,—“O great king! please explain to me, how Krishnù gave Sissoopal a third deliverance?” Shookdeo Jee replied,—Raja! once he appeared as Hirunkusyp, and then Krishnù having descended upon the earth as half lion, half man, released him. On the second occasion he became Rawun, when Huri having descended as Ram, liberated him, the present is the third occasion, and therefore the present is the third release. Having heard this, the Raja said to the sage,—“O great king! be pleased now to proceed with the narrative.” Shree Shookdeo Jee, said,—Raja! when the sacrifice was finished, Raja Joodisthur bestowed dresses on all the Rajas and their wives, and numberless gifts on brahmins. It was the business of Raja Doorjodhun to distribute during the sacrifice, who, in place of distributing once, distributed many times, and thereby acquired celebrity, but was still dissatisfied.
Having narrated thus much, Shree Shookdeo Jee said to the Raja Pureechit,—O great king! on the completion of the sacrifice, Shree Krishnù Jee took leave of the Raja Joodisthur, accompanied by his army and relatives, and went from Hustinapoor to the city of Dwarka. On the arrival of Krishnù, there were festive rejoicings in every house, and joy was diffused throughout the city.
Raja Pureechitsaid,—“O great king! explain to me the reason, why all were delighted with the royal sacrifice, and Doorjodhun alone dissatisfied, that the perplexities of my mind may be removed.” Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—Raja! your paternal grandfather was a man of great wisdom, and apportioned the business of the sacrifice to each, according to his observation of the character of each. He made Bheem superintendent of the victualling department; he appointed Suhdeo to look after the religious ceremonies; Nukool’s office was to bring money; Urjoon was appointed to be in constant attendance; Shree Krishnù Chund Jee took the duties of washing feet and clearing away what food was left, and the trenchers, formed of leaves; to Doorjodhun, the Raja assigned the business of distributing money; and every one of the Rajas received each some separate work. O great king! all did their work fairly, with exception of Raja Doorjodhun, who practised the deceit of distributing many times in place of only distributing once; thinking, and having determined in his mind, to break their bank, and thereby destroy their respectability. But by the favour of Bhugwan, their respectability was not destroyed; on the contrary, their character was enhanced, and therefore he was displeased, and he did not know that there were lines in his hand, so that if he gave one rupee, four would be collected.
Having recited thus much of the narrative, Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—Raja! be pleased now to listen to what follows in the narrative. On the departure of Shree Krishnù Chund Jee, Raja Joodisthur, having entertained the Rajas, bestowed dresses of honour upon them, and behaved to them with the utmost complaisance, allowed them to take leave; and they arranged their several armies, and set out for their own countries. After this, Raja Joodisthur, taking the Panduvùs and Kouruvùs with him, went, in musical procession, to bathe in the Ganges. Having arrived on the banks of the river, he made an obeisance; and, having rubbed dust on his body and sipping water in his hands, he entered the stream with his wife; all the party bathed at the same time with them. Then, when they had bathed and washed, and finished their meditations and prayers, and adoration, and had put on their clothes and ornaments; Raja Joodisthur, accompanied by them all, came to where the demon Mye had built a most elegant house of gold, studded with jewels. O great king! having gone there, Raja Joodisthur sat upon a throne; at that time, celestial musicians sang of his good qualities; bards and panegyrists recited his celebrated deeds; in the midst of the assembly, dancing girls danced; inside and outside the house, musicians and singers played and sang songs of festivity and rejoicing; and the court of the Raja Joodisthur appeared like the court of Indrù. In the mean while, when the Raja Doorjodhun heard of the Raja Joodisthur’s arrival, he pretended friendship, and went there with great pomp and parade to meet him.
Having recited thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said to the Raja Pureechit,—O great king! the demon Mye had contrived in the midst of a square enclosure, that whoever entered it, should mistake dry land for water, and water for dry land. O great king! when the Raja Doorjodhun entered the enclosure, on seeing dry land, he thought that it was water, and pulled off all his clothes; having then gone a little further and seeing water, he mistook it for dry land; and, as he advanced, his clothes wetted. On observing this mistake of his, all the courtiers burst out laughing, and Raja Joodisthur turned his head aside to prevent himself from laughing. O great king! having heard them all laughing, Raja Doorjodhun was very much ashamed and went away in great wrath. Having sat down in the court, he began to say, “Since Joodisthur has obtained the support of Krishnù’s strength, he has become very proud. To-day, while he was sitting in the court, he made all the courtiers laugh at me; I will revenge myself on him for this, and chastise his pride, otherwise my name is not Doorjodhun.”
Shree Shookdeo Jeesaid,—O great king! when Shree Krishnù Chund and Bulram Jee were at Hustinapoor, a demon, named Salub, a follower of Sissoopal, who, at the marriage of Rookmunee, had been wounded by Shree Krishnù Chund Jee, and had run away, began to perform a penance in honour of Muhadeo Jee, saying to himself, “I will now take revenge upon the descendants of Judoo.” He conquered and brought under subjection his eleven organs of action and perception: he endured hunger, thirst and all changes of season. In this manner he began to perform penance, keeping in remembrance the feet of Muhadeo: he constantly rose up and ate a handful of sand; and performed difficult penance, fixing his thoughts upon Shivù. One year passed away thus, then Muhadeo granted him a boon. “From to-day, thou shalt not be subject to the infirmities of age, and shalt not die; and the demon Mye shall make for you a ruth of delusive power, which shall carry you wherever you wish: it shall have power, through the efficacy of my blessing, to go every where like a chariot in the three worlds.”
O great king! as Sudashivù Jee granted this boon, a ruth came and stood before Salub; who, having made a salutation to Shivù Jee and mounted upon the ruth, proceeded with tumultuous haste to the city of Dwarka. Having gone there, he began to occasion all sorts of troubles to the inhabitants of the city: sometimes he used to pour down fire upon them, sometimes water: he sometimes uprooted trees, and threw them upon the city, and sometimes hills; from dread of him, all the inhabitants running off in great alarm, went to Raja Oogursen, and called out to him for mercy and protection. “O great king! a demon has come into the city, and caused the greatest confusion; and if he continue to commit the same acts of violence he has already committed, not a soul will be left alive.”
O great king! on hearing these words, Raja Oogursen sent for Purdiyomun Jee and Sumboo, and said, “Behold! this demon has come to watch Huri, and to vex the inhabitants; form some plan for remedying the distresses he has caused.” On receiving the Raja’s orders, Purdiyomun Jee took all his army; and, having gone in a chariot outside the city, was ready for battle. Seeing, that Sumboo was terrified, he said, “Be not at all anxious; I will, by the glorious favour of Huri, destroy this demon in a second.” Having thus spoken, when Purdiyomun Jee taking his army with him, and seizing his weapons, came opposite to the demon; the demon exercised his delusive power in such a manner, that the day was changed into a very dark night. Purdiyomun, upon this, discharged arrows of fire, and dissipated the thick darkness, just as the rays of the sun would disperse a fog. After this he discharged several arrows with such force, that the demon’s ruth was sent helter skelter; and he, being frightened, sometimes ran off; and sometimes returning, fought, exercising delusive power in various demoniacal ways; and gave great annoyance to the subjects of Purdiyomun.
Having narrated thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said to the Raja Pureechit,—O great king! there was a great battle raging on both sides; in the midst of which, Doobid, the minister of Salub, came all at once, and struck Purdiyomun with such violence on the chest with a club, that he fell senseless. On his falling, Doobid screamed out, “I have killed Shree Krishnù’s son, Purdiyomun.”
O great king! while the descendants of Judoo were carrying on a mighty contest with the demons, the son of the charioteer, Daruk; seeing that Purdiyomun Jee had fainted, threw him into a chariot, and ran off with him from the field of battle, and brought him into the city. On recovering his senses, Purdiyomun Jee was greatly enraged, and said to the charioteer, “It was not right in you, knowing me to be senseless, to make me run from the field of battle. You left the field, and brought me home: this is not the act of a brave man. There is not in the family of Judoo a single member, who would abandon, and run from the field of battle. What! didst thou ever see me fly, that thou hast to-day brought me away, and made me leave the battle? Whoever hears of this, will laugh at, and reproach me. You have not done well, in fixing a stain upon my reputation without necessity.”
On hearing these words, O great king! the charioteer, having descended from the chariot, stood up in the presence of Purdiyomun; and with joined hands, and bowing his head, said, “Lord! you know all customs and usages; and there is not in the world a right practice, with which you are not acquainted. It is said, ‘When a brave warrior in a chariot falls wounded, his charioteer will carry him off from the field of battle. If the charioteer should be wounded and fall; the warrior in the chariot ought to save and take him away.’ You received a very severe blow from a powerful club, and fainted, and were senseless. I, then, went off with you from the battle. I feared lest my master might be injured, or dishonoured. You have taken about an hour’s rest: now go, and fight again. You know what is right and proper: do not cast a thought upon the laughter and jeering of the world. Destroy all the evil spirits immediately, and seize forcibly upon the delusive power of the demon.”
O great king! having thus spoken, the charioteer took some water to Purdiyomun Jee; who, having washed his hands and face, and being fully recovered, putting on a coat of mail and helmet, and taking in his hand his bow and arrows, said to the charioteer, “Well! what has happened, has happened; but take me now to the spot, where Doobid has continued to fight with the descendants of Judoo.” On hearing this, the charioteer instantly took him to where Doobid was fighting. On going there, Purdiyomun called out to him, and said, “Why are you fighting here and there, come and confront me, that I may send you to Sissoopal?” When, on hearing this challenge, Doobid rushed upon Purdiyomun Jee, Purdiyomun discharged several arrows, which struck, and brought him to the ground: and Sumboo, having also cut into pieces the army of the demons, filled the sea with them.
Having proceeded thus far in the narrative, Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—O great king! when the descendants of Judoo had been engaged twenty-seven days in fighting at Dwarka with the army of the demons, Shree Krishnù Chund Jee, acquainted with the secrets of the heart, remaining at Hustinapoor, and beholding the condition of Dwarka, said to Raja Joodisthur, “O great king! I beheld in a dream, during the night, that great violence was being perpetrated at Dwarka, and that all the descendants of Judoo were grievously afflicted; I will, therefore, with your permission, take my departure for Dwarka.” On hearing this Raja Joodisthur, having joined his hands, said, “Do as you please.” When the Raja had thus spoken Shree Krishnù and Bulram took leave of all; and when they came outside the city, beheld a doe running towards them on the left hand, and a dog standing in front of them shaking his head. When Huri had seen these bad omens, he said to Bulram, “Brother! come after me with all the rest of the party, and I will go on in advance.”
Raja! Shree Krishnù Chund, after thus speaking to his brother, went on to the field of battle, and there saw, that the demons had, in every direction, committed great slaughter on the descendants of Judoo, who were carrying on the contest in very great confusion, whilst Huri was standing there, and reflecting thoughtfully on this state of affairs, Buldeo Jee also arrived; at that time Shree Krishnù said to Bulram, “Brother! go and protect the city and the inhabitants, I will come after I have destroyed these demons.” Having received Krishnù’s order, Buldeo Jee went into the city, and Huri to the field of battle, where Purdiyomun was contending with Salub. The shell was sounded on the arrival of the lord of the Judoos, when all knew that Shree Krishnù Chund had come.
O great king! when Krishnù went upon the field of battle, Salub flew off with his chariot to the sky, and began to pour down arrows of fire from thence like rain. Then Shree Krishnù Chund Jee counted sixteen arrows, and discharged them with such force, that Salub’s chariot and driver were utterly destroyed, and he fell reeling down; recovering himself after his fall, Salub’s struck Huri on the left arm with an arrow, and called out, “Ho Krishnù! I wish to make trial of your strength, and fight with you; you have by fraud or force killed Sunkhasoor, Bhomasoor, Sissoopal and other very powerful men: but it will be a difficult matter for you to escape now from my hands; you have now to deal with me, lay aside deceit and begin the contest; the powerful Banasoor and Bhomasoor are expecting you, Huri, I will send you where you will not be able to come back from; if you run away, you will not gain greatness.” When Krishnù, in reply to this speech, had said, “O stupid, proud, cowardly fool! Chutrees and firm, resolute, brave men do not begin with talking in a high sounding strain to any one;” the demon rushed upon Huri, and aimed a very furious blow with a club at him, which Krishnù easily warded off; then Shree Krishnù Chund Jee struck him with a club; and on receiving the blow, he remained senseless for two hours under the protection of his delusive power; he afterwards assumed a disguise, and coming into the presence of Krishnù said, “Your mother, Dewukee, who is in a state of great agitation, has sent me here: your enemy Salub has seized and carried off Basoodeo.”