Shree Shookdeo Jee said,--Raja! whilst Shree Krishnù was bound, the
recollection of a former birth occurred to him, when Narud had
pronounced a curse on the two sons of Kooverù, whom it was necessary
for him to liberate.--On hearing this, the Raja Pureechit said to
Shookdeo Jee, “O great king! please explain how Narud, the sage,
cursed the sons of Kooverù.” Shookdeo, the sage, said,--In the
mountain Kylas, Kooverù had two sons, named Nul and Koover, who,
attending upon Sivù, became very rich--One day, accompanied by their
wives, they went into the forest for amusement; and having drank wine
there, became intoxicated. Stripping themselves and their wives naked,
they began to bathe in the Ganges, and throwing their arms round each
other’s necks, indulged in various kinds of amatory playfulness, in
the midst of which, Narud, the sage, made his appearance. On seeing
him, the women came out of the water, and dressed themselves;--but the
two men, who were intoxicated, remained where they were. Seeing their
condition, Narud Jee began to say to himself, “They have become proud
on account of their wealth; and for this reason, indulge in anger, and
amorous sports--A man without wealth has no pride; and a wealthy man,
no thought of religion, or irreligion.”--It is said, “that fools
having cherished their false bodies, (that is, indulging in all sorts
of luxury and excess,) forget themselves. At the sight of wealth, and
their families (meaning, high connexions,) they are elated--and
virtuous men do not entertain any pride of wealth in their minds, but
regard good and bad fortune alike.” Saying this, Narud, the sage,
pronounced a curse upon them--“For this crime, go to Gokool, and
become trees; when Shree Krishnù descends upon the earth, he will
liberate you.” Narud, the sage, thus cursed them, for which reason
they came to Gokool, and were transformed into trees--and they were
named Jumlajoorun.
Having narrated thus much, Shookdeo Jee said,--O great king!
recollecting this circumstance, Shree Krishnù, dragging along the
wooden mortar, came to the place in which the trees named Jumlajoorun,
were. On going there, having cast the wooden mortar across, between
the two great trees, he gave such a sudden jerk, that the two trees
fell down, uprooted; and two very handsome human beings, coming forth
from them, and joining their hands, began to sing his praises--“O
Lord! who, but you, would recollect such great sinners as we are.”
Shree Krishnù said, “Narud, the sage, has shown great compassion
towards you, in having granted you liberation in Gokool; through his
beneficence, you have obtained me--Now ask from me any boon you wish.”
Jumlajoorun said, “O lord of the poor! through the favour of Narud
Jee, we have touched your feet, and obtained a sight of you; we have
now no desire of any thing else; but be pleased to grant this much,
that faith in you may always continue in our breasts.” On hearing
this, Shree Krishnù, having granted what they asked, and laughing,
dismissed them.