Shree Shookdeo Jee said,--O great king! when Unroodrù had been four
months bound, Narud Jee went to the city of Dwarka, and there beheld
all the Judoos very sad, disconsolate and emaciated with grief. Shree
Krishnù and Bulram were sitting amongst them, very thoughtful and
anxious, and saying, “Who has carried off the child hence?” They were
talking in this strain, and there was such weeping and lamentation in
the female apartments, that no one could hear another speaking. On the
arrival of Narud Jee, all persons present, both male and female, rose
up to meet him, and came and stood in his presence greatly agitated
and emaciated with grief, sad and shedding tears and lamenting. They
afterwards joined their hands, and bowed their heads with great
submissiveness, and expressing the deepest emotion, began to enquire
from Narud Jee, “Say, truly, O sage! in order that we may preserve our
sinking lives, where shall we receive intelligence of Unroodrù? Say,
O holy man! so that we may rely on your words.” Shree Narud Jee
replied, “Suffer not any anxiety of mind, and banish all sorrow,
Unroodrù Jee is alive and well at Shronitpore. He has gone there, and
enjoyed amorous pleasure with the daughter of Banasoor; for which
reason, he has laid hold of and bound him with a running noose; he
will not, on any account, release Unroodrù without fighting. I have
mentioned this secret to you; form your future plans accordingly.”
O great king! Narud Jee departed, when he had given them this
intelligence; afterwards all the descendants of Judoo went to the Raja
Oogursen, and said, “O great king! we have received exact intelligence
that Unroodrù Jee is at Shronitpore, at the house of Banasoor; he has
enjoyed the Raja’s daughter, and the Raja has, in consequence thereof,
kept him bound with a running noose. What are your orders now to us?”
On hearing this account, Raja Oogursen said, “Take all my army with
you, and use your utmost endeavours to release and bring Unroodrù
here.”
When Oogursen had thus spoken, all the Judoos, O great king! took the
Raja’s army with them, and accompanied Bulram, and Shree Krishnù
Chund, and Purdiyomun Jee, mounting on the sovereign of the feathered
race, arrived before them all at Shronitpore.
Having narrated thus much, Shree Shookdeo Jee said, O great king! when
Bulram Jee, taking all the army of Oogursen and sounding the large
kettle-drum, went from the city of Dwarka to Shronitpore, it is
impossible to describe the splendid appearance of his cavalcade. In
front of all were “_must_” elephants in rows, with huge tusks; on
which the large kettle-drum was sounded, and flags and banners were
waving. Behind these, was another row of elephants with howdahs, on
which the bravest, most heroical and the mightiest of the Judoos were
seated, wearing coats of mail and helmets, and completely armed;
immediately following, were successive lines of chariots, after them
troops of horsemen were moving along on horses of all colours with
collars, harness, tasselled ornaments and iron armour, making them
pace as in the manege, and move in an artificial manner, and dance
about and jump and plunge. In the midst of them, panegyrists were
singing songs of praise, and bards were singing war songs. Behind them
came the foot soldiers, thick as a host of locusts, armed with
shields, swords, knives, daggers, spears, javelins, bows, arrows,
clubs, quoits and every description of warlike weapon. The sound of
the drums and other musical instruments in the midst of this
procession, contributed greatly to the fine effect and beauty of the
scene. The dust flew up, and spread to the sky, the sun was hid and
became like night; the ruddy goose and its mate were separated; wives
enjoyed themselves with their lords, the lotus bloomed, and the white
esculent lotus withered, noctural animals prowled about, supposing
that it was night.
Having recited thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee, said,--O
great king! when Bulram Jee, advancing with great pomp and noise, with
a force of twelve complete armies, and destroying all the forts,
strongholds and castles of the Raja, and laying waste his country,
arrived at Shronitpore, and Shree Krishnù Chund and Purdiyomun Jee
arrived also, some one in great alarm, and distracted with fear, said
to Banasoor, with joined hands and bowing his head, “O great king!
Krishnù and Bulram have advanced with their whole army, and they have
razed all the strongholds, forts and castles in our country and have
encompassed the city on every side. What now are your orders?”
Banasoor was greatly enraged at these words; and, having summoned all
his great demons, said to them, “Take all your armies outside the
city, and go and oppose Krishnù and Bulram, I will also come by and
bye.”
On receiving this order, O great king! the demons immediately took
with them twelve complete armies, and being fully equipped with arms
of all kinds, stood ready to encounter Shree Krishnù and Bulram Jee;
and in rear of them, Banasoor worshipping, calling to mind, and
meditating upon Shree Muhadeo Jee, was also ready for battle.
Shookdeo, the sage, said,--O great king! whilst Shivù Jee was
meditating, his seat shook, and his meditation was interrupted; on
reflecting upon this, he thought to himself, “A worshipper of mine is
in a difficulty; I must go now and remove his anxiety.” When having
formed this resolution, he had assumed half the body of Parbuttee,
fastened his matted hair, rubbed his body over with ashes, eaten a
large quantity of hemp, swallow-wort and thorn-apple, wearing a
brahminical thread, composed of white snakes, clad in an elephant’s
hide, with a necklace of heads and garland of snakes, holding a
trident, bow, hand-drum and skull; riding upon the bull Nandya
accompanied by ghosts, goblins, spectres, witches, female divinities,
imps, sprites and evil spirits, and taking an army with him, Bholanath
came forth; his splendid appearance baffles all description; in his
ear was an ornament, consisting of the elephant pearl, on his forehead
was the moon; he placed the Ganges on his head, and his eyes were very
red, of a very frightful aspect and appearing in the form of the
destroying deity; he proceeded in this manner, with music and singing,
and making his army dance; to describe his appearance is impossible to
be understood, it must be seen. At length, after some little delay, he
came with his army to the place where Banasoor was standing with his
armies of demons. On seeing Muhadeo, Banasoor was delighted, and said,
“O sea of compassion! who without you would look after me? Your
flaming heat will burn them up, how will the Judoos now survive?” He
proceeded to say, “O great king! make this a fair fight, so that each
man may have an antagonist opposed to him.”
O great king! when Banasoor had thus spoken, on one side, the army of
the demons was standing in battle array, and on the other, the
descendants of Judoo were in a state of preparation; drums began to
sound on both sides; brave, bold, resolute and mighty heroes began to
arrange their weapons; and the irresolute eunuchs and cowards to fly
for their lives from the field of battle. At that time Shivù Jee
appeared before Shree Krishnù Chund in the form of the destroying
deity. Banasoor was opposed to Bulram Jee; Uskundh encountered
Purdiyomun; and in this manner each man closed with an antagonist.
Muhadeo held the bow Pinak in his hand, while the lord of the Judoos
had the bow, Sarung. Shivù discharged the arrows of Bruhmù: Shree
Krishnù Jee cut them off with a weapon of Bruhmù’s also. Roodrù
then sent forth a mighty wind, which Huri avoided with fire. Muhadeo
upon this kindled a fire, which Moorari extinguished by pouring down
rain, and raised an immense flame, which extended to the army of
Sudashivù; and burning their beards, mustachios and hair, made all
the demons appear of a very terrible aspect. When the army of the
demons began to be burnt, and raised a loud cry for deliverance,
Bholanath cooled the burnt and half-burnt bodies of the demons, ghosts
and goblins, by pouring down rain; and being greatly enraged was on
the point of letting fly the arrows of Narayun: but upon reflection,
he abstained from doing so, and kept them back. After this, Shree
Krishnù Jee discharged the arrows of Sloth; and having stupified them
all, began to cut down the army of demons, just as a husbandman would
cut grain. On beholding this exploit, when Muhadeo thought to himself,
and said, “That it would be absolutely necessary to engage in and
prolong the battle, so as to involve universal destruction,” Uskundh,
mounted a peacock, and ascending into mid-air, began to discharge
arrows upon the army of Shree Krishnù Jee. Then Purdiyomun exclaimed
to Huri, “Some one is fighting from above, mounted on a peacock, give
the order to fight with energy, and I will kill him now, and he shall
fall upon the ground.” On hearing this, Krishnù gave the order, when
Purdiyomun discharged an arrow, which hit the peacock, and Uskundh
fell down. Banasoor was highly indignant at the fall of Uskundh, and
bending five bows and placing two arrows on each bow, began to shower
forth his arrows like rain, and Shree Krishnù Chund cut them off
mid-way.
O great king! at that time, drums and tambourines resounded on all
sides; bards sang chimes in music, streams of blood gushed forth, as
though squirted from wounds; in every direction was seen blood, as red
as _holee_ powder; in the midst ghosts, goblins and spectres in
various frightful forms, wandered about, playing all sorts of antic
tricks; rivers of blood flowed like streams of red colour, it could
not be called a battle, but seemed to be more like a _holee_ on both
sides. When the battle had been raging for some time, Shree Krishnù
Jee discharged an arrow, so as to kill Banasoor’s charioteer, and the
horses started; on the death of his charioteer, Banasoor fled from the
field, and Shree Krishnù pursued him.
Having narrated thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee, said,--O
great king! on hearing the news of Banasoor’s flight, his mother,
whose name was Kutra, of a hideous appearance, with dishevelled hair,
came naked before Shree Krishnù Chund, and began to call out; on
seeing her, Krishnù shut his eyes and turned his back upon her, when
she spoke; in the mean while Banasoor fled, and again rallied his
army.
O great king! Kutra did not withdraw from the presence of Shree
Krishnù Jee, until Banasoor had returned with a complete army, fully
arrayed. Banasoor, on his arrival, engaged in a mighty battle, but
could not stand before Krishnù; and running away again went to
Muhadeo. Beholding Banasoor in a state of fear, Shivù Jee was greatly
enraged, and having summoned a fever of a poisonous and inflammatory
nature, caused it to spread in the army of Shree Krishnù Jee. The
fever, which was very violent and burning, whose heat equalled that of
the sun, with three heads, nine feet, six hands, three eyes, and of a
frightful appearance, came and penetrated the army of Shree Krishnù
Chund. The descendants of Judoo began to be burnt by its heat, and to
shake and tremble; at length, after having suffered very great pain,
and being alarmed, the descendants of Judoo came to Shree Krishnù Jee
and said, “O great king! the fever of Shivù has come, and raged
violently amongst our whole army, and destroyed many; be pleased now
to save us from its fury, otherwise not a single member of the family
of Judoo will escape alive.”
O great king! having heard this request, and seeing that they were all
distressed, Huri sent forth the ague, which rushed upon Muhadeo’s
fever. On seeing the ague, Muhadeo’s fever fled through fear; and
continuing his flight, came to Sudashivù Jee. The inflammatory fever
then said to Muhadeo, “Afford me an asylum, or the fever of Krishnù
will destroy me.” Muhadeo Jee replied, “There is no one in the three
worlds, except Shree Krishnù Chund, who can drive away the fever he
has sent, it is therefore most advisable for you to go to Shree
Moorari, the friend of his worshippers.” Having heard of Shivù’s
speech, and reflected upon it, the inflammatory fever went into the
presence of Shree Krishnù Chund, the root of joy; and joining his
hands, beseeching in a most submissive manner and making many
entreaties, said, “O sea of compassion, the brother of the poor, the
purifier of sinners and kind to the needy! be pleased to pardon my
fault and save me from your fever. O Krishnù! you are the lord of
Bruhmù and all other divinities. Your power, O lord of the world! is
incomprehensible; it was you who created and arranged the world. All
the delusive power in the universe belongs to you. O Krishnù! I have
found out your compassionate nature, and having obtained knowledge,
look upon you as the creator of the world.” The benignant Huri
replied, “You have come to seek protection from me, and have therefore
escaped, otherwise you would not have escaped with life. I forgive
your present fault; but do not again direct your attacks against my
worshippers and servants, this is my order to you.” The fever said, “O
sea of compassion! whoever shall hear this history, ague, tertian ague
and tertian fever shall never attack him.” After this, Shree Krishnù
Chund said, “Go now to Muhadeo; do not stay here, or else my fever
will harass you.” On receiving this order, the inflammatory fever took
leave, and having made an obeisance, went off to Muhadeo, and the pain
of the fever was entirely subdued.
Having recited thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee, said,--O
great king! whoever shall hear this conversation need never be afraid
of fever. After this Banasoor was very angry; and, taking bows and
arrows in all his hands, came opposite to Krishnù and bawled out, “I
have fought a severe battle with you; but my inclinations are not yet
satisfied.” When having thus spoken, he began to discharge arrows with
all his hands, Shree Krishnù Chund Jee let loose the quoit,
Soodursun, and cut off all his hands, except four, with the same
celerity as any one would cut the boughs of a tree. On his hands being
cut off, Banasoor fell down stupified, and a river of blood flowed
from his wounds in which his arms appeared like alligators. The heads
of the elephants, which had been cut off, seemed like drowning
crocodiles. Chariots were carried along the stream, like baskets for
irrigating fields and like boats. In different places on the field of
battle, dogs, jackals, vultures and other birds and beasts were
tearing and rending, and fighting and contending for the dead bodies;
and crows were flying off with eyes, which they had picked out from
heads.
Shree Shookdeo Jee said,--O great king! on seeing this state of the
battle field, Banasoor was very sad, and began to feel regret, and
afterwards, being deprived of all strength, went to Muhadeo Jee. Then
Roodrù, after thinking on the matter, said to him, “You must now
endeavour to please and captivate Huri.” With these words, Shree
Muhadeo Jee, taking Banasoor with him, and reading the Vedas to him on
the road, came to the place where Shree Krishnù Chund was standing on
the field of battle. Throwing Banasoor down at the feet of Krishnù,
Shivù Jee said, with joined hands, “O merciful to those who come for
sanctuary! this Banasoor has now come to you for protection; be
pleased to look upon him with compassion, and do not retain in your
mind a recollection of his crime. You repeatedly descend upon the
earth, to remove the burthens of the world, and to destroy the wicked,
and to save the universe. You are, O lord! invisible, impenetrable,
without end; for the sake of your worshippers, you come, and are
manifest in the world, otherwise, you constantly remain in the form of
the embodied spirit. The form of the spirit is this; heaven is his
head; the sky, his navel; the earth, his feet; the sea, his belly;
Indrù, his arms; hills, his nails; clouds, the hair of his head;
trees, the hair of his body; the moon and sun, his eyes; Bruhmù, his
mind; Roodrù, his pride; the air, his breath; the closing and opening
of his eye-lids, night and day; thunder, his voice. Such is the form
in which you constantly dwell: and no one can comprehend it. And this
world is a sea of trouble, the water of which is filled with anxiety
and delusion. O lord! without the aid of the boat of your name, no one
can cross this vast and very difficult sea; and many flounder and are
drowned, in attempting it. Whosoever has obtained mortal form, and
shall not offer adoration and prayers to you, and shall not keep you
in constant remembrance, he shall lose his religion and shall
aggravate his sins. He, who has come into the world, and has not
called upon your name, has abandoned the water of life and drank
poison. In whosesoever’s breast you dwell, he has obtained pardon on
account of his faith by celebrating with songs your good qualities.”
Again, Shree Muhadeo Jee said, “O sea of compassion and brother of the
poor! your greatness is boundless. Who has power to describe it, and
who can understand your actions? Take compassion upon me now, and
forgive this Banasoor’s transgression; and grant him faith in you; he
also possesses a title to be considered your worshipper, because he is
a portion of the lineage of Purhlad, your adorer.” Shree Krishnù
Chund replied, “Shivù Jee! there is no difference between you and me;
and whoever supposes there is a difference, he will fall into the
great hell, and shall never obtain me, (that is, gain my favour;)
whoever has meditated upon you, will, at his latter end, obtain my
favour, this Banasoor called upon your name without deceit; and, for
this reason, I have made him four-armed; I have protected all on whom
you have conferred boons, and will protect those also, to whom you may
in future grant blessings.”
O great king! when Krishnù had uttered these words, Sudashivù Jee
made an obeisance; and, taking leave, went to the mountain Kuelas,
accompanied by his army; and Shree Krishnù remained standing where he
was; Banasoor then joining his hands and bowing his head, said,
submissively,--“O lord of the poor! as you have compassionately
pardoned me, be pleased now to make pure your servant’s house by
coming to it, and take away Unroodrù Jee and Ookha with you.” On
hearing this, Shree Beharee, the benefactor of his worshippers, taking
Purdiyomun Jee with him, went to Banasoor’s abode.
O great king! Banasoor being then highly delighted, conducted
Krishnù, with a warm welcome, to his house, spreading silken cloths
on the road, afterwards he washed his feet and took the water with
which his feet had been washed, and sipping it in his hand put it on
his head. He then began to say, “The water in which his feet have been
washed, so difficult to be obtained by all, I have this day obtained
by the favour of Huri, and obliterated the sins of each birth, he who
has drank of the water of the Ganges will, undoubtedly, obtain heaven;
he who has seen the Bhageruttee has gained the whole world.”
O great king! having thus spoken and brought Unroodrù Jee and Ookha,
he said in the presence of Krishnù, joining his hands, “Be pleased to
forgive my fault; what was predestined has happened, I give this Ookha
as a servant to you.” When he had thus spoken, Banasoor gave his
daughter in marriage, according to the injunctions of the Vedas, and
bestowed upon her a boundless dowry.
Having narrated thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said,--O
great king! on the marriage taking place, Shree Krishnù Chund, having
restored Banasoor’s confidence, seated him upon the royal throne; and,
accompanied by his grandson and grand-daughter, took leave, and
sounding the large kettle-drum, went thence, with all the descendants
of Judoo, to the city of Dwarka. On hearing of their arrival all the
inhabitants of Dwarka went outside of the city, and escorted Krishnù
in musical procession; at that time the inhabitants of the city sang
songs of rejoicing, and indulged in festivities in the markets, roads,
cross-roads, sheds and houses; and in the royal palace Shree Rookmunee
and all the women sang songs of congratulation, and observed all the
ceremonies usual on festive occasions; the gods, seated in their
chariots, and raining down flowers from the sky, raised cries of
victory; and joy was universally diffused throughout the city, both
inside each house and outside. Bulram, the abode of happiness, and
Shree Krishnù Chund, the root of joy, having then allowed all the
descendants of Judoo to take leave, went to live at their ease and
happily at the royal palace, taking Unroodrù and Ookha with them; the
wives of Krishnù were delighted at beholding Ookha; when she was
brought into the palace, her mother-in-law gave her a blessing, and
clasped her into her bosom; and being highly pleased at seeing her,
adorned her with ornaments.