Shree Shookdeo Jee said,--O great king! listen with attention, while
I relate the story of the coming of all the sages, and of the
performing of sacrifice by Basoodeo Jee: One day Rajas Oogursen and
Soorsen, Basoodeo, Shree Krishnù and Bulram were seated in full
assembly with all the descendants of Judoo, and the kings of other
countries were also present; at this time Byas, Bushisht, Bishwamitrù
Bamdeo, Purashur, Bhrigoo, Poolusk, Bhurdooaj, Markundeyù and
eighty-eight thousand other sages, having a desire to see Shree
Krishnù Chund, the root of joy, came there; and Narud Jee also came
with them. On seeing them, the whole court rose up; and then, having
performed obeisance, and thrown down silken cloths for them to walk
upon, they conducted all the sages into the assembly, after this Shree
Krishnù Chund having placed them all upon seats, and having washed
their feet drank the water with which their feet had been washed, and
sprinkled it upon the whole assembly; then having offered sandal,
unbroken rice, flowers, perfumes, lamps and consecrated food, Bhugwan
worshipped them all, and went round to the right by way of adoration;
and, standing in their presence with joined hands, Huri said, “Great
is our good fortune that you have come and visited us, and sat in our
house; the sight of a good man is equal to bathing in the Ganges, he
who has seen a holy man (or received a visit from a holy man) has had
the crime of each birth effaced.”
Having proceeded thus far in the narrative, Shree Shookdeo Jee
said,--O great king! when Shree Bhugwan had thus spoken, then all the
sages remained reflecting, “When the lord, who is in the form of
light, and the creator of the universe, says this, what need we care
what any one else may say, or has said?” Whilst the sages thought thus
in their minds, Narud Jee said, “Listen to me all ye of the assembly
with attention: the delusive power of Huri cannot be comprehended this
power, in the form of Bruhmù, creates; as Vishnù, it preserves; as
Shivù, it destroys: its nature is infinite, beyond the comprehension
of man’s intellect; but by his favour we know so much, that Vishnù
frequently descends upon the earth to confer happiness upon holy men,
destroy the wicked and promote what is eternally right.”
When, O great king! having thus spoken, Narud Jee was on the point of
rising up and leaving the assembly, Basoodeo came before him, and,
with joined hands and with submissiveness, said, “O chief of the
sages! be pleased to favour us by saying, how a man, having come into
the world, can escape from fate.”
O great king! when Basoodeo Jee had thus spoken, all the holy men and
sages remained looking at the countenance of Narud Jee; then Narud
Jee, understanding the wishes of their minds, said to the sages, “O
divinities! be not astonished at this speech; the delusive power of
Shree Krishnù is mighty, it has overcome and conquered the whole
world, and therefore Basoodeo Jee has thus spoken, and some one else
has also thus said, ‘Near whom, whoever remains, he is under the
influence of his good qualities, and subjected to the illusion of his
glory, without being aware of it.’ As any one living on the banks of
the Ganges, who goes elsewhere; and, having abandoned the Ganges,
drinks well water, so have the Judoos become unintelligent; and do not
comprehend at all the nature of Krishnù.” Narud Jee having by these
words removed the perplexities of the sages, said to Basoodeo Jee, “O
great king! it is written in the Shastrùs, that the man, who performs
pilgrimage, makes offerings, or performs penance, or fasts or offers
sacrifice, having escaped from the bonds of the world, will obtain
supreme felicity.” On hearing these words, Basoodeo Jee was delighted,
and immediately procured and made ready all things necessary for a
sacrifice, and said to the saints and sages, “Please favour me by
commencing the sacrifice.”
When, O great king! Basoodeo Jee had thus spoken, all the brahmins
prepared and arranged a building for the sacrifice. Upon this Basoodeo
Jee went and sat with his wives near the altar; and all the Rajas and
the Judoos prepared to assist in the sacrifice.
Having proceeded thus far in the narrative, Shree Shookdeo Jee said to
the Raja,--O great king! when Basoodeo went and sat at the altar, the
sages began the sacrifice according to the injunctions of the Vedas;
and, after reading incantations from the Vedas, they began to offer
oblations with fire to the deities; and the gods in bodily shape came
running to receive them.
When, O great king! the sacrifice was begun; above, the celestial
choristers and musicians, playing upon pipes and drums, began to sing
of the excellences of the gods; and bards and panegyrists to celebrate
their praises. Oorbusee and the other celestial courtezans danced; and
the gods, seated in their chariots, rained down flowers; and below,
the singers and dancers sang and danced, and engaged in festivities;
and beggars raised cries of exultation and rejoicing, in midst of
which the sacrifice was completed. And Basoodeo Jee, having offered
the final oblation and arrayed the brahmins in silken clothes, and
adorned them with ornaments, presented them with many jewels, and much
wealth: and they read incantations from the Vedas, and pronounced
their blessing. After this, Basoodeo presented robes to, and
entertained the kings of different countries, who then offered the
sacrificial gifts; and taking leave, returned home. On the departure
of the Rajas, all the sages and saints and Narud Jee also took leave.
It is not possible to describe the subsequent scene, when Nund Rae Jee
and the cowherdesses, and the cowherds and their children were about
to take leave of Basoodeo. The descendants of Judoo, on the one hand,
made all kinds of affectionate speeches; and the inhabitants of Bruj,
on the other hand, did so likewise; this happy scene must have been
witnessed to be understood, I cannot attempt to describe it. At
length, Basoodeo and Shree Krishnù, and Bulram, having entered into
explanations with Nund Rae Jee and the rest of the party, and made
them understand, and having arrayed them in honorary dresses, and
bestowed great wealth upon them, allowed them to take leave.
Having recited thus much of the narrative, Shree Shookdeo Jee said,--O
great king! when Shree Krishnù Chund and Bulram Jee returned to the
city of Dwarka with the rest of the party, after having bathed during
the festival, and offered sacrifice, there were rejoicings and
festivities in every house.