Shree Shookdeo Jee said,--Raja! At the time Shree Krishnù Chund was
about to be born, such joy arose in the minds of all men, that the
name even of grief did not remain. Through delight the forests and
groves being green began to produce flowers and fruits; the rivers,
nullahs and ponds to be filled with water; birds of different kinds to
sport and hop about; and there were rejoicings in every city, village
and house; Brahmins offered up sacrifices; the guardians of the ten
quarters were delighted; clouds rolled over Brujmundul; the gods
seated in their chariots rained flowers from the sky, the celestial
dancers, musicians, bands, playing upon drums and pipes began to sing
praises; and in one quarter Oorbusee and all the celestial courtezans
were dancing. Under such a combination of circumstances on the eighth
of the dark part of the month of Bhadon, in the Rohnee division of the
zodiack, on a Wednesday at midnight, Shree Krishnù Jee was born; and
being of the colour of a cloud, with a face like the moon, lotus-eyed,
wearing a yellow vest, with a crown on his head, and adorned with the
byjuntee--necklace, composed of jewels, produced from the five
elements of nature, and having ornaments studded with jewels, in a
form with four arms, holding a shell, quoit, club, and a lotus, he
appeared before Basoodeo and Dewukee. On seeing him, both being amazed
imagined him to be the first mortal; then joining their hands, they
submissively said, “Great is our good fortune, that you have shown
yourself to us, and given us a release from birth and death.”
Having thus spoken, they narrated the first part of the history, how
Kuns had caused them affliction; upon this, Shree Krishnù Chund,
said, “Do not now suffer any anxiety of mind, because I have descended
upon the earth to dispel your griefs, but carry me now to Gokool; and
at this very time Jusodha has had a daughter, which take and deliver
to Kuns; listen to the reason of my going, which I will explain. Nund
and Jusodha have performed religious penance; fixing their affections
upon me, they desire to see their child’s happiness: I will go and
stay some days with them. Hereafter, after having killed Kuns, I will
return to you: keep up your confidence.”
Having made this explanation to Basoodeo and Dewukee, Shree Krishnù
being transformed into an infant, began to cry, and dissipated his
delusion--And upon this, all the knowledge of Basoodeo and Dewukee
departed, and they supposed the infant to be their own son. Thinking
thus, and having made a vow in their minds to offer up ten thousand
cows, they took the child in their arms and fondled it. On looking at
its face, both heaving deep sighs, began to say to each other, “Let us
contrive some means of carrying off this infant, that he may escape
from the hands of that sinner Kuns.” Basoodeo said, “Without the
assistance of Bruhmù, no one will be able to support him; whatever
has been written in fate, that will happen.” Then joining her hands
Jusodha said, “Your friend Nund lives at Gokool:--Jusodha will dispel
our troubles, and there is your wife Rohnee.--Take this infant there.”
On hearing this, Basoodeo said with agitation, “How shall I escape
from these strong fastenings?” Upon this, all their handcuffs and
chains upon their legs fell off; the doors flew open on all four
sides: the watchmen, off their guard, were fast asleep.
Basoodeo Jee having then placed Shree Krishnù in a basket, put it on
his head, and went off immediately to Gokool--Above the gods were
pouring rain, behind him lions roared. Basoodeo became anxious, on
beholding the great stream of the Jumna.
Standing on the bank of the river, Basoodeo began to reflect “that
behind lions are roaring, and in front the fathomless Jumna is
flowing, what shall I do now?” Saying this, and fixing his thoughts
upon Bhugwan, he went into the Jumna; and the depth of the river
increased as he advanced. When the water came up to his nose, he was
very much frightened--Perceiving that he was agitated, Shree Krishnù,
extending his foot, uttered the mystical sound, “_hoon_,” and in
consequence of the stretching out of his foot, the Jumna became
fordable. Basoodeo having crossed the river, came to Nund’s house, and
found the doors open; on going in, he found all asleep. Dewee had
thrown her into such a trance, that Jusodha was not conscious of
having been delivered of a girl. Basoodeo, having put Krishnù asleep
by the side of Jusodha, and taken away her infant daughter, quickly
returned homeward. After re-crossing the river, he came to the spot
where Dewukee was sitting in anxious thought. Having given her the
little girl, he told her all the news of his journey. On hearing the
account, Jusodha, delighted with joy, exclaimed, “O husband! what need
we care now, if Kuns should put us to death, since our son has escaped
from the hands of that demon.” Having told thus much of the history,
Shree Shookdeo Jee said to the Raja Pureechit, When Basoodeo had
brought the female infant, the doors of their prison became closed as
before, and both had chains and handcuffs fastened on again--the
little girl began to cry. On hearing the noise of the crying, the
sentinels awoke, and snatching up their arms, and being on the alert,
began to fire their muskets. On hearing their report, the elephants
began to scream, lions to roar, and dogs to bark. At this time amidst
the darkness of night, and in the rain, a sentinel came, and having
joined his hands, said to Kuns, “O great king! your enemy has been
born.” On hearing this, Kuns fell down insensible.