19.5: God appears as a Tiger

56. Hearing this earnest plea the Holder of the disk (Krishna) immediately arrived there. Taking the form of a great tiger,

57. He said to Jagamitra, ‘Who indeed has been troubling you? Show him to me, and I shall certainly devour him.’

58. Hearing him say this, the bhakta. replied, ‘My intimate friend, the Muhammadan Hawaldar, has invited you to come at once to the marriage of his daughter.

59. So dear Keshava, be patient, and let us go together to fulfil his purpose. You are my most intimate friend. I have no one to trust aside from you.’

60. After listening, the Holder of the disk (Krishna) replied, ‘Take hold of me and let us go together to his house. Go into the village, and I shall show before your eyes something marvellous.’

61. Jagamitra then tied his upper garment around the neck of the tiger and taking hold of him there they went together into the town.

62. When they were seen by the cowherds they immediately rushed into the village. As they ran their courage gave out, and they were unable to say anything.

63. Rushing into the city, they gave the news to the people that Jagamitra, holding a tiger by the neck, was coming to the official’s home.

64. Hearing what they said, everyone was astonished and asked, ‘Where could he have brought a tiger from? You are telling us what is false.’

65. One said, ‘What is there to be wondered at? God is his Debtor. Remember that when his hut was set afire, he was saved.’

66. While they were thus talking to one another, another report reached them, ‘Jagamitra is bringing a large tiger into the town.’

67. All the men and women were frightened and closed the gate of the village as the people looked down from the walls of the town.

68. When men and women saw th tiger they were full of fear and every door of their dwellings they closed, they remaining inside through fear of the tiger.

69. Some of them on the roof looked at the tiger from afar, and remarked, ‘How is it that Jagamitra has no fear at all?’

70. Listening to this remark the wise one said to them, ‘How is it that you do not understand matters?

71. We see the tiger with our eyes, but he may be the Holder of the disk (Krishna) Himself. Perhaps when he heard of the distress of His bhakta He rushed to his help.’

72. Another one remarked, ‘Your suggestion cannot be true. It looks like a real tiger. He has come to devour the Hawaldar.’

73. Still another remarked, ‘That could not be so; he may eat us all; the Hawaldar in committing a wrong has brought death upon us all.’

74. Then calling to the wicked one, the people of the town said to him, ‘By persecuting Jagamitra, you have brought destruction to our town.

75. When Sahasrarjun [Sahasra-Arjuna] troubled Renuka, disaster came to all Kshatriyas. So by our association with you, death has come upon us all.

76. When Ravan [Ravana] kidnapped Sita all the giant monsters met with death. So by troubling this Vaishnava you have brought this disaster to the town.

77. When Duryodhan [Duryodhana] persecuted Draupadi, that noble woman, all the kings suffered destruction. The same is happening to us today because of our association with you.

78. Just as by association with a bee-hive a tree is set on fire, so, O evil one, through you we are all suffering disaster.’

79. Hearing what all the people said, this evil one became frightened and with all his children he hid himself in a hut;

80. just as a scorpion after stinging hides underneath a clod of earth; so that mine of sin became frightened in his mind.

81. Very soon Jagamitra arrived with the tiger. Seeing the gates of the town closed, he was greatly troubled.

82. He said to the tiger. ‘How are we to go into the city?’ Hearing him say this, the Advocate of His bhaktas performed a miracle.

83. He gave one great roar and the gates of the city fell down. They entered the city and the men and women looked at them from a distance.

84. One began to cry out aloud and another began to beat his mouth. All exclaimed. ‘The Lord of Kailas (Heaven) is angry because we have been associated with this evil man.’

85. Hearing this outcry, Jagamitra gave the people an assurance: ‘Let your minds be at rest, and watch the marvel that is now to take place.

86. A man reaps according to his deeds, why then should any of you be concerned? Let your minds be without fear, and worship the Husband of Rukmini.’

87. Hearing him say this all the people were pleased and remarked, ‘He has brought the tiger in order to take the life of the Hawaldar.’