Shree Shookdeo Jee said,--O great king! it occurred once to Narud
Jee to go and see how Shree Krishnù Chund carried on his domestic
affairs with sixteen thousand one hundred and eight wives, with this
thought in his mind, he came to Dwarka, and beheld outside the city
high, lofty trees, flourishing, loaded with fruits and flowers, waving
in the orchards, on which, pigeons, parrots, peacocks and other birds
were sitting, and pouring forth pleasing notes; lotuses were blooming
in elegant tanks, on which swarms of bees buzzed; on the banks geese,
cranes and other birds were sporting about; in the flower gardens, the
gardeners sang sweet strains, and throwing water high and low,
saturated the different beds with it; in some places wheels and
leather buckets were brought into play, and on the quays there were
crowds of women carrying water on their heads: the beauty of whom
cannot be described; to be appreciated, it must have been seen.
O great king! Narud Jee having beheld with delight the beautiful
appearance of the forests and groves, saw on going into the city
elegant, golden houses, covered with jewels, and shining brilliantly,
on which flags and banners were waving. Wreaths and garlands of
flowers were fastened upon each gate-way, at the doors were placed
pillars of plantain and water-pots of gold, filled with sprouts. From
the trellis-work, windows and lattices of each house, the smoke of the
perfume, burnt at the time of worshipping, came curling forth, like a
black cloud; in the midst of which the golden spires shone like
lightning; in every dwelling there was worshipping and reading of
prayers, and sacrifice and offering of gifts; and in every place
people were engaged in adoration and meditation, songs and reading,
and hearing the Pooranùs; here and there the descendants of Judoo
were seated, forming a court, similar to that of Indrù, and joy was
diffused throughout the city.
Having recited thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said to
the Raja Pureechit,--O great king! Narud Jee being highly gratified on
entering the city, began to say, “To what house shall I go first to
find Shree Krishnù Chund?” Saying this, O great king! to himself,
Narud Jee went to Shree Rookmunee’s house, where Shree Krishnù Chund
was reclining at his ease, and who rose and stood up on seeing him;
they brought a ewer of Rookmunee’s filled with water; Krishnù, having
washed Narud Jee’s feet, and given him a seat, placed before him
perfume, lamps and consecrated food, and offering adoration began to
say to him with joined hands, “Happiness and wealth will follow the
man in whose house the feet of good men fall. You have come and paid
me, a householder, a visit in my house, for the sake of my salvation.”
O great king! when Krishnù had thus spoken, Narud Jee giving him this
blessing, “May you long live to protect Shree Rookmunee,” went to the
abode of Jamwutee, where he saw Huri playing at _choupur_. On seeing
Narud Jee, Krishnù rose up; when, having given him a blessing, Narud
went away again; after this he went to Sutbhama’s and saw Shree
Krishnù Chund seated, and having oil and perfumed paste applied to
his body, Narud Jee returned thence in silence, because it is written
in the Shastrùs “That at the time of the application of oil, a Raja
should not make a salutation, nor a brahmin pronounce a benediction,”
Narud Jee then went to Kalindee’s house, and there saw Huri asleep. O
great king! Kalindee, on seeing Narud Jee, began to rub Huri’s feet,
and awoke him, Krishnù, on awaking, approached the sage; and having
made an obeisance, said with joined hands “The feet of holy men are
like the waters of places of pilgrimage; wherever they fall they
purify.” On hearing this and having given his blessing, Narud Jee
rose, and went thence to the residence of Mittrabinda, he there saw
brahmins being fed, and Shree Krishnù serving out food to them,
Krishnù said, on seeing Narud Jee, “O great king! as you have done me
the favour to come here, please partake of this food, and give me your
leavings, and make pure my house.” Narud Jee replied, “O great king! I
will come again, after having gone round to a few other houses, be
pleased to serve out food to the brahmins, and I will take what is
left on my return.” With these words, Narud Jee took leave and went to
Sutya’s house, and there saw Shree Beharee, the benefactor of his
worshippers, sitting pleased, and amusing himself, on beholding this
state of affairs, Narud Jee went away thence, and having then gone to
Bhudra’s abode, saw Huri eating, he returned thence to the house of
Luchmuna, and there saw Krishnù bathing.
Having proceeded thus far in the narrative Shree Shookdeo said,--O
great king! in this manner the sage, Narud Jee, went about to sixteen
thousand one hundred and eight houses, but did not see a single house
without Shree Krishnù in it, and wherever he beheld him he saw him
engaged in some domestic occupation, having observed this custom Narud
was astonished, “That there was not a house without Krishnù in it,
wherever I go, there is the beloved Huri; thus has Krishnù spread
about his pastimes. In each of the sixteen thousand one hundred and
eight houses, the supporter of the hill (Krishnù) remains with one of
his wives.” The delighted sage said reflecting, “The deceptive power,
which jogees are supposed to possess, belongs to thee, O lord of the
Judoos! no one can understand this power; and who can escape from it?”
O great king! when Narud Jee, in a state of astonishment, had thus
spoken, Shree Krishnù Chund, the bestower of happiness said, “Narud!
be not all grieved in thy mind; my delusive power is very mighty and
has been spread over the whole world; it fascinates even me, who else
has ability to escape from its influence, and who that has come into
the world is not affected by it.” Narud having heard this and bowing
his head, said, beseechingly, “Take compassion on me, O lord of the
Judoos! in order that veneration for thee may exist always in my
thoughts and that my mind, being under the influence of delusion, may
not desire objects of sense.”
Raja! Narud Jee having thus spoken, took leave of Krishnù, and,
having made the usual parting salutation, returned to his own dwelling
playing on the lute and singing. Shree Krishnù Chund Jee continued
his pastimes at Dwarka.