Thus praised by the wise Muchukunda, the sovereign of all things, the
eternal lord, Hari, said to him, "Go to whatever celestial regions you
wish, lord of men, possessed of might irresistible, honoured by my
favour. When you have fully enjoyed all heavenly pleasures, you shall be
born in a distinguished family, retaining the recollection of your
former births; and you shall finally obtain emancipation". Having heard
this promise, and prostrated himself before Achyuta, the lord of the
world, Muchukunda, went forth from the cave and beholding men of
diminutive stature, now first knew that the Kali age had arrived. The
king therefore departed to Gandhamāddana, the shrine of Naranārāyana, to
perform penance.
Krishna having by this stratagem destroyed his enemy returned to Mathura
and took captive his army, rich in horses, elephants and cars, which he
conducted to Dwārakā, and delivered to Ugrasena, and the Yadu race was
relieved from all fear of invasion. Baladeva, when hostilities had
entirely ceased, being desirous of seeing his kinsmen, went to Nanda's
cow-pens, and there again conversed with the herdsmen and their females,
with affection and respect. By some, the elders, he was embraced;
others, the juniors, he embraced; and with those of his own age, male or
female, he talked and laughed. The cowherds made many kind speeches to
Halayudha; but some of the Gopis spoke to him with the affectation of
anger, or with feelings of jealousy, as they inquired after the loves of
Krishna with the women of Mathura. "Is all well with the fickle and
inconstant Krishna?" said they; "Does the volatile swain, the friend of
an instant amuse the women of the city by laughing at our rustic efforts
(to please him)? Does he ever think of us, singing in chorus to his
sons? Will come here once again to see his mother? But But why talk of
these things? It is a different tale to tell for him without us, and for
us without him. Father, mother, brother, husband, kin, what have we not
abandoned for him; but he is a monument of ingratitude. Yet tell us,
does not Krishna talk of coming here? Falsehood is never, O Krishna, to
be uttered by thee. Verily this is Dāmodara, this is Govinda, who has
given up his heart to the damsels of the city, who has no longer any
regard for us, but looks upon us with disdain". So saying, the Gopis,
whose minds were fixed on Krishna, addressed Rāma in his place, calling
him Dāmodara and Govinda, and laughed and were merry; and Rāma consoled
them by communicating to them agreeable, modest, affectionate, and
gentle messages from Krishna. With the cow-herds he talked mirthfully,
as he had been wont to do, and rambled along with them over the lands of
Vraja.