Chapter LIX

SHRI SHUKADEVA JEE said,—O great king! one day Shri Krishna Chund, the brother of the world, the root of joy, determined to go and see whether the Pandoos had escaped alive from the conflagration. Hari started from Dwarka with several of the descendants of Yadu, and went to Hastinapura. On hearing the news of his arrival, Yudhishthira, Arjuna, Bhima, Nakula and Sahadeva, five brothers, rose up with the greatest delight; and, having gone outside the city, and met Krishna with a most cordial reception, escorted him to their house. As they were entering the house, Kunti and Draupadi summoned seven married women: and having filled up a square with pearls, placed a chair of gold upon it, upon which they seated Shri Krishna. Having caused all kinds of festive rejoicings to be made, they performed the ceremony of "Arta" with their own hands; and washing his feet, they conducted him to the banquetting room, and feasted him with all sorts of delicacies.

O great king! when Shri Krishna Chund had finished his repast, and began to eat betel, Kunti sat next him, and entering into conversation enquired after her father and brother: "Are Soorsen and Vasudeva, my brother, and my nephew, Baladeva, well? in whom my soul is bound up; who, except you, can drive away affliction and grief? You afforded me protection, when great calamity befel me. O Krishna! you are the dispeller of the sorrows of others: your five brothers fly to you for refuge; as the doe dreads a herd of wolves, so do Duryodhana’s subjects dread him."

O great king! when Kunti had thus spoken, Yudhishthira joined his hands and said, "You, O Krishna! are chief and lord of the Yadus. Devotees meditate constantly upon you, and not upon Shivù and Brahma. What meritorious act have I performed, that you have visited me in my own house. Gratify me by remaining four months, and return home after the rainy season."

Having recited thus much, SHRI SHUKADEVA Jee said,—O great king! on hearing these words, Shri Beharee, the friend of his worshippers, having inspired them all with hope and confidence, remained there; and added daily to their joy and delight. One day, Shri Krishna Chund taking a bow and arrows in his hand, went in a chariot to hunt in the forest, accompanied by the five brothers; and on arrival there, dismounting from his chariot, and fastening his belt, prepared to shoot his arrows; and, beating the jungle, began to kill lions, tigers, rhinoceroses, wild buffaloes, and deer and antelopes of different kinds; and brought all his game to the Raja Yudhishthira, who distributed some of it, and sent some for the supply of his own table. Whilst Shri Krishna Chund and Arjuna were engaged in sport, they advanced some distance beyond the rest of the party, and stood under a tree. They then both went to the banks of a river, and drank some water. At this time Shri Krishna Jee saw on the river-bank a very beautiful young virgin, with a face like the moon, of the colour of the flower champa, with eyes like those of a deer, a voice like the kokila, the gait of an elephant and a waist like a lion’s; ornamented from head to foot, having imbibed the spirit of Kama (Cupid,) of a most brilliant appearance, wandering about alone. Hari was amazed and struck with astonishment at beholding her, and said, "Who is that beautiful creature, with such a charming figure, wandering about without a companion?"

O great king! when Krishna had thus spoken, Arjuna, who saw her also, ran hurriedly to the spot, where the lovely girl was wandering about, exulting on the river-bank, and began to address her, "Say, beauteous damsel, who art thou, and whence hast thou come, and why art thou wandering here alone? Explain this strange mystery to me." On hearing these words, the beautiful girl explained her history, "I am a virgin daughter of the sun, my name is Kalindee; my father appointed me an abode in water. He came and having built for me a house in the river, thus instructed me, 'Continue wandering, O daughter! near the river, where you will meet with a husband. Krishna will descend upon the earth in the family of Yadu, and will come after you to the place of your wandering, the first male, the immortal Hari, for whom you have been born.' From the time my father, the sun, thus spoke to me, I have longed for the approach of Hari."

Arjuna, O great king! was very much pleased to hear these words, and said, "O beauteous creature! the immortal lord, the inhabitant of Dwarka, Shri Krishna Chund, the root of joy, for whose sake thou art wandering here, has arrived." When Arjuna, O great king! had thus spoken, Shri Beharee, the friend of his worshippers, came up in his chariot. When, on beholding Krishna, Arjuna explained her history to him, Shri Krishna Chund Jee smiled, and quickly placing her upon his chariot, returned towards the city. And Bishookurma, consulting privately the taste and wishes of Shri Krishna Chund, built a most beautiful palace, whilst Krishna was coming from the forest to the city: and brought Kalindee there, and abode there himself. Sometime after this, on one occasion Shri Krishna Chund and Arjuna were sitting together at night, when the element fire having conic, said to Hari, joining his hands and bowing his head, "O great king!

I have wandered about the whole world for a long time in a state of hunger, and have not obtained any thing to eat. My only hope is in you: with your permission, I will go and devour the forests and jungles." Krishna granted him permission. Fire then said, "O lord of compassion! I cannot go into the jungle alone: if I do, Indra will come and extinguish me." On hearing this, Shri Krishna Jee said to Arjuna, "Brother! go and allow Fire to eat some food: he is dying from excessive hunger."

O great king! when Shri Krishna Chund Jee had thus spoken, Arjuna accompanied Fire with his bow and arrows; who having reached the jungle blazed forth, and began to burn up mango, tamarind and every kind of tree, and the grass and bamboos crackled with a loud noise; and the animals in the forest wandered about, losing their road. On all sides fire raged and spread in the forest; and smoke ascended in wreaths to the sky. On perceiving the smoke, Indra summoned the lord of the clouds and said, "Go and shower down rain most copiously, and put out the fire, and save the lives of the beasts and birds, and animals of the forest." Having received this order, the lord of the clouds, taking masses of clouds with him, came there, and began to thunder: and as he was on the point of pouring down rain, Arjuna discharged such arrows of wind, that the clouds were dispersed, and blown in every direction; like flocks of cotton, driven about by gusts of air. No one saw them come, or depart, they vanished as they came; and fire, burning up the forest and jungle, came to the abode of a demon, named Mye. Beholding Fire approach, full of rage, Mye was terrified: and coming out of his house, with naked feet, and a cloth thrown about his neck, came and stood in Fire’s presence with joined hands; and prostrating himself so as to touch the ground with the eight principal parts of his body, said, most beseechingly, "O lord! O lord! save me quickly from this fire, and protect me, O deity of fire! you have obtained a satiety of food, do not now meditate any crime, listen to my supplications, and save me from Fire."

O great king! when the demon Mye had thus spoken, the deity of fire laid hold of his fiery arrows; and even Arjuna started with amazement. At length, they both took Mye with them to Shri Krishna Chund, the root of joy, and said, "O great king! this demon Mye will be of use, and will build a place of abode for you. Take thought now of Mye; and, having extinguished the fire, banish all his fears." Having thus spoken, Arjuna placed his bow, Gandeeb, and arrows upon the ground; and Krishna, looking towards the deity of fire, made a sign by winking his eye, and the fire was put out immediately; and the whole forest became cool. Shri Krishna Chund then went on with Arjuna and Mye. There Mye erected, in a second, a most beautiful, elegant and fascinating house of gold, studded with gems; a description of the beauty of which is impossible; whoever came to see it, stood gazing like a picture with astonishment. Shri Krishna Jee remained there four months, and came thence to the royal court of Yudhishthira; and, on arrival, he solicited the Raja’s permission to go to Dwarka; when they heard this request, Raja Yudhishthira and his whole court were very sad, and there was great anxiety amongst the women in the female apartments. At length Krishna having entered into suitable explanations with them all, and inspired them with confidence, took leave of Yudhishthira, accompanied by Arjuna. Having left Hastinapura, he arrived in a few days, after a very pleasant trip, at Dwarka. Joy was spread through the city on the news of his arrival; and the pangs of separation, which they had all endured, were felt no longer. His mother and father, on seeing their son’s face were delighted; and forgot all their sorrows. Shri Krishna Jee went, on a subsequent day, to the Raja Ugrasena, and explained the history of Kalindee, "O great king! I have brought Kalindee, the daughter of the sun, marry her to me in the manner prescribed by the Vedas." On hearing this, Ugrasena gave an order to one of his ministers "To go immediately and prepare all things necessary for the marriage." On receipt of the order, the minister immediately procured all that was required. Ugrasena and Vasudeva then sent for an astrologer, and having fixed upon a lucky day, united Shri Krishna Jee in marriage to Kalindee, according to the forms and ceremonies prescribed by the Vedas. Having recited thus much of the history, SHRI SHUKADEVA Jee said,—Raja! in this manner Kalindee was married; I will now mention, how Hari brought away and married Mittrabinda; listen with attention. Mittrabinda was the daughter of Rajdhewee, the aunt of Krishna and Soorsen’s daughter. When she was marriageable, she selected a husband for herself. Rajas from all countries were collected together on the occasion, possessed of many eminent mental qualities, very handsome, intelligent, powerful, courageous, brave and resolute, and dressed and decked out, so as each to rival the other. Having received intelligence of this event, Shred Krishna Chund Jee went, accompanied by Arjuna, and stood amongst the rest of the party, assembled on the occasion. The girl was delighted at seeing Krishna; throwing a garland on his neck, she remained gazing on his countenance.

O great king! all the Rajas were ashamed, and displeased on observing this proceeding; and Duryodhana went to her brother, Mittrasen, and said "Brother! Hari is your uncle’s son, with whom your sister has fallen in love. This is contrary to the custom of the world, and the world will laugh at such behaviour; go and advise your sister not to marry Krishna, otherwise the whole crowd of Rajas will laugh." Upon this Mittrasen went and advised his sister against the marriage.

O great king! when Mittrabinda, listening to the advice of her brother, withdrew and stood apart at some distance from Krishna, Arjuna leaning forward whispered in his ear, "O great king! what are you hesitating about? the business is a failure; carry into execution immediately, and without delay, any plan you may have formed." When Arjuna had thus spoken, Shri Krishna Jee instantly seized Mittrabinda’s hand in the midst of the assembled party; and, carrying her off, placed her on his chariot, and drove off in sight of them all. The Rajas seized their arms, and mounting their horses, and circling round to the front of Krishna, stood in battle order. And the people in the city laughing, and clapping their hands together, played upon musical instruments; and pouring forth abuse, began to say, "Krishna has come to marry his father’s sister’s daughter; a notable act no doubt, which will make him very famous."

SHRI SHUKADEVA Jee, having narrated thus much of the history, said,—O great king! when Shri Krishna Chund saw that he was surrounded on all sides by the army of demons, and could not avoid fighting, he drew forth several arrows from his quiver; and bending his bow, discharged them in such a manner, that the whole army of demons was scattered and dispersed in every direction, and Krishna arrived safely at Dwarka, and free from all alarm.

SHRI SHUKADEVA Jee said,—O great king! in this manner Shri Krishna Jee took Mittrabinda to Dwarka, and married her there. Listen with attention, and I will now mention, how he brought away Sutya. In the Kuosul country, there was a Raja, named Nugnujjit, who had a daughter, named Sutya. When she was of a marriageable age, the Raja procured seven huge, terrible bulls without strings in their noses: and let them loose in the country, making a vow, "That he would marry his daughter to any person who should fasten strings in the noses of the seven at once."

O great king! those seven bulls ranged about the country, bellowing and pawing the ground with their heads down and tails raised, and killed whomsoever they met. Hearing of this circumstance, Shri Krishna Chund went, accompanied by Arjuna, and stood in the presence of the Raja Nugnujjit. On seeing him, the Raja descended from his throne, and prostrating himself so as to touch the ground with the eight principal parts of his body, seated Krishna upon his throne; and placing sandal, unbroken rice and flowers on his head, offering perfumes, lamps and consecrated food, said, in a most supplicating manner, with joined hands and bended head, "My good fortune to-day is very great, that Krishna, the lord of Shivù and Brahma, has come to my house." He went on to say, "O great king! I have made a certain compact, which is difficult of accomplishment; but I am now certain, that, through your favour, it will be speedily accomplished." Krishna said, "Tell me, what vow you have made so difficult of fulfilment?" The Raja replied, "O lord of compassion! I have let loose seven bulls without strings in their noses: and made this compact, that I will marry my daughter to any person who shall put strings in the noses of the seven at once,"

SHRI SHUKADEVA Jee said,—O great king! Hari, having heard this, fastened his girdle; and, having assumed seven different forms, went and stood where the bulls were; no one saw what was done invisibly, and Krishna put strings in the noses of the seven at once: The bulls stood as quietly as wooden bulls, whilst the strings were being fastened in their noses; and when this was done, Krishna led them all, with one rope, to the court of the Raja. When the inhabitants of the city beheld this exploit, they were all, both male and female, astonished, and began to pour forth loud exclamations of praise. The Raja Nugnujjit then sent for the family priest, and gave his daughter in marriage according to the prescribed injunctions of the Vedas. Her dowry consisted of ten thousand cows, nine lakhs of elephants, ten lakhs of horses, seventy-three lakhs of chariots, and male and female servants without number. When Shri Krishna Chund departed thence, taking the dowry with him, the Rajas of the country were greatly enraged; and came and surrounded him on his way back. Arjuna destroyed and put them to flight, with arrows; and Hari returned with them all to Dwarka, happy and rejoicing. The inhabitants of the city, coming out to meet him, and spreading silken cloths, brought Krishna, in musical procession, to the royal palace, and were amazed at seeing the dowry. The people extolled Nugnujjit, and said, This is a great alliance. The Raja of Kuosul has done well in marrying his daughter to Krishna, and giving such a large dowry."

O great king! the inhabitants of the city discoursed thus amongst themselves, when Shri Krishna Chund and Balarama arrived there; and gave all Raja Nugnujjit’s dowry to Arjuna, and acquired a great reputation in the world by the act.

I will now mention the circumstances, attending the marriage of Shri Krishna Jee with Bhudra: listen attentively, and at your ease. Bhudra, the daughter of the Raja of Kykye, chose a husband for herself, and wrote letters to all the neighbouring Rajas, who all came, and were assembled together. Shri Krishna Chund went also, accompanied by Arjuna, and stood in the court amongst the rest of the party. When the Raja’s daughter, looking at and observing the different chiefs with a garland in her hand, came to the sea of beauty, the light of the world, Shri Krishna Chund, she was fascinated, and threw the garland upon his neck. When her mother and father saw this, they were delighted, and married their daughter to Hari according to the Vedas; bestowing upon her an unbounded marriage portion.

Having recited thus much of the history, SHRI SHUKADEVA Jee said,—O great king! Shri Krishna Chund having thus married Bhudra, I will now mention how he married Luchmuna. When Luchmuna, the daughter of the very powerful and renowned Raja of Bhudrades, was marriageable, she chose a husband for herself, and sent letters of invitation to the Rajas of all countries; who came with great pomp and splendour, with their armies arrayed and fully equipped; and sat down in the assembly in well arranged rows. Shri Krishna Chund Jee went there also, accompanied by Arjuna; and as he stood amongst the rest of the party, Luchmuna, having observed all who were present, came and threw a garland on the neck of Krishna. Her father married Luchmuna to him according to the Vedas. All the Rajas who had come there, were greatly abashed; and said to one another, "Let us see whether Krishna will take away Luchmuna while we are here."

Having thus spoken, they all arranged their forces, and blocking up the road, stood ready for battle. As Shri Krishna Chund and Arjuna advanced in the chariot with Luchmuna, they came and stopped them, and began to fight. At length, after some time, Arjuna and Shri Krishna destroyed, and put them all to flight with arrows; and reached the city of Dwarka, happy and rejoicing. On their arrival, there were songs of congratulation and rejoicing in every house throughout the city, according to the injunctions of the Vedas.

Having proceeded thus far in the narrative, SHRI SHUKADEVA Jee said,—O great king! in this manner Shri Krishna Chund contracted five marriages, and lived happily at Dwarka with his eight queens, who were in constant attendance upon him. The queens' names were Rohini, Jamwutee, Satyabhama, Kalindee, Mittrabinda, Sutya, Bhudra and Luchmuna.