Having narrated so much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee
said,--Raja! once on a time, Nund and Jusodha performed a great
religious penance for a son; when Shree Narayun himself gave a
promise, that he would be born in their house. When Shree Krishnù
came at midnight on a Wednesday, the eighth of the dark part of the
month Bhadon, Jusodha being awake at the time, and having beheld her
son’s face, sending for Nund, was highly delighted, and thought that
she had gained every object of her life. Early in the morning, Nund
Jee having got up sent for pundits and astrologers, who came with
their books and almanacks, and Nund offered them seats with great
respect, and honour. They, according to the precepts of the Shastrùs,
having fixed upon the year, month, lunar-day, solar-day, division of
the zodiack, the lucky moment, and exact ray of light, and having
considered the rising of a sign of the zodiack, and having settled a
division of time equal to (48) forty-eight minutes, said,--“O great
king! after consulting our Shastrùs we are of opinion, that the child
about to be born will be a second deity, as Bruhmù; having destroyed
all evil spirits, and relieved the burthens of Bruj, he shall be
called the lord of cowherdesses, and the whole world shall sing his
praises.” On hearing this, Nund Jee made a vow to offer up two hundred
thousand, (200,000) cows, with horns of gold, hoofs of silver, backs
of copper, and arrayed in yellow silk robes; and having given all
sorts of gifts and presents to Brahmins, and receiving their blessing,
he dismissed them--After this, he sent for all the musicians and
singers of the city: they came, and began to display their
accomplishments; the musicians to play, the dancers to dance, singers
to sing, and the bards to celebrate praises. And all the cowherds of
Gokool made their wives bring vessels, containing sour milk, on their
heads. Assuming various disguises, dancing and singing, they came to
offer congratulatory presents to Nund. On their arrival, they threw
about, and at each other, so much coagulated milk and clay, that the
whole of Gokool seemed to be covered with coagulated milk--When they
had finished this sport, Nund having entertained them all, presented
them with dresses, made the marks of “_tiluk_” on their foreheads, and
given them pawn, (betel leaf,) dismissed them.
The congratulations lasted in this manner for some days:--during this
time, every one obtained whatever he asked from Nund Jee. Being free
from the congratulations, Nund Jee sent for all the cowherds, and said
to them, “Brothers! I have heard that Kuns is laying hold of all the
little children he can find; there is no knowing but some wicked
person may say something against us; for which reason it is proper
that we should in a body take presents, and offer annual tribute.”
They all agreed to this, and taking with them from their houses, milk,
curds, butter and money, loading them on carts, they came from Gokool
to Muttra, accompanied by Nund. Having had an interview with Kuns,
they offered presents, and having paid their tribute, being permitted
to depart, making their salutations, they returned homewards.
When they reached the bank of the Jumna, Basoodeo Jee having received
information of their coming, went there also: embracing Nund, and
making enquiries regarding his affairs, he began to say, “I have not
such a relative and friend as you in the whole world, because when a
great calamity happened to me, I sent Rohnee, then with child, to you.
She has had a son, whom you have nurtured with great care--How can I
sufficiently describe your virtues?” Saying this, he asked him, “Tell
me, are Ram Krishnù, and your wife Jusodha well?” Nund Jee replied,
“By your kindness all are well, and the root of my life, your Buldeo
Jee is also well. In consequence of his being born, by reason of your
virtue and majesty, I also have had a son: but there is one of your
griefs, which much afflicts me.” Busoodeo said, “Friend! we have no
power over the deity, the lines of fate cannot be effaced by one. For
this reason, after coming into the world, who should regret, if he
suffers pain and affliction.” Having thus informed him, he said, “Go
quickly to your home, Kuns has committed many acts of violence; the
vile wretch is making search for, and having brought to him all the
infant children he can: good subjects have been put to death, you have
all come here, and evil spirits are on the search, and prowling about:
who knows but that some wicked person may go to Gokool, and cause
injustice to be done.” On hearing this, Nund Jee being agitated, and
taking all with him, engaged in thought, went from Muttra to Gokool.