Having thus said, and gone some distance into the jungle, when he found out that Bruhmù had stolen and carried off the calves, Shree Krishnù made others exactly like them, and brought them with him. On his return, he perceived that Bruhmù had taken off the cowherds’ children also. He then also created other children, exactly like those that had been taken away; and as it was evening, brought them all with him to Brindabun. The cowherds’ children went to their homes, but none discovered the secret, that the children did not belong to them; on the contrary, affection for them increased daily.
Having narrated thus much, Shree Shookdeo said,—O great king! Bruhmù having taken off the cowherds’ children and calves, shutting them up in a mountain cave, and blocking up the entrance with a stone, fell into a state of forgetfulness regarding the circumstance; and Shree Krishnù constantly engaged in new sports. After the lapse of a year, Bruhmù recollected what he had done, and began to say to himself, “One of my moments has not passed, but a year of mortals has elapsed; I must therefore go and see what has been the state of Bruj without the cowherds’ children and the calves.”
Thinking thus, he rose and came to the cave, where he had shut them all up. Having raised the stone, he saw, that the children and the calves had fallen into a deep sleep. Departing thence, and coming to Brindabun, when he beheld the children and calves exactly as before, he was astonished, and began to say, “How have the cowherds and calves come here, or has Krishnù created these new ones?” Saying this he went again to look at the cave. Whilst he was looking at them, Krishnù created such a delusion, that all the cowherds’ children and calves became four-armed, and Bruhmù, Roodrù and Indrù with hands joined, stood before each. Bruhmù, on beholding, became like a picture: all intelligence and thoughts were forgotten (that is departed from him) just as a stone Dewee with four faces would be grieved without worshippers and worship.
And being frightened, and shutting his eyes, he began to tremble. When Shree Krishnù, acquainted with the secret thoughts of all, found that Bruhmù was very much alarmed, he took away the parts of which the rest were composed, and remained himself alone, just as separate clouds are formed into one.
CHAPTER XV.
Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—Raja! when Shree Krishnù removed his delusion, Bruhmù acquired a knowledge of his own body (that is, recovered his former intelligence.) Reflecting he went to Bhugwan, and implored him most earnestly: falling at his feet, soliciting and standing before him with joined hands, he began to say, “O lord! you have done me a great kindness in having removed my pride, by which I had been blinded; who has understanding sufficient to comprehend your actions, unless you take compassion upon him? Your illusory power has fascinated all; who is there with powers to fascinate you? You are the god of all; in every hair of your body there are many Bruhmùs like me: in what reckoning am I? O kind to the poor! be pleased now compassionately to forgive my offence, and take not thought of my fault.”
Having heard thus much, Shree Krishnù smiled: Bruhmù then brought all the cowherds’ children and the calves in a state of sleep: and being ashamed, and offering praises to Krishnù, went to his own abode. The assembly was formed exactly as it was before: although a year had passed, no one was aware of it. When the cowherds’ children awoke, Krishnù collected the calves. Upon this, some of the children said, “Brother! you have brought the calves quickly; we have not had time to eat our food.”
Hearing this, Krishnù said laughing, “I was anxious on your account—I found the calves, grazing near in one place; let us now go home, having come here very early in the morning.” Conversing thus, and taking the calves with them, they all came home, laughing and playing.
CHAPTER XVI.
Shree Shookdeo said,—O great king! when Shree Krishnù was eight years of age, he one day said to Jusodha, “Mother! I will go and take the cows to feed; do you prevail on my father to send me with the cowherds.” Hearing this, Jusodha spoke to Nund Jee on the subject. He having fixed upon a lucky division of time, equal to forty-eight minutes, sent for the cowherds’ children; and on the eighth of the light part of the month Kartik, having caused Krishnù to perform poojah to a cowshed, he said in a supplicating manner to the cowherds, “Brothers! from to-day, take Ram Krishnù with you, when you take the cows to pasture: but stay near him, and do not leave him alone in the jungle.” Having thus said, and given them food, and marked Krishnù and Bulram on the forehead with coagulated milk, he dismissed them in company with all the rest. They were delighted, and went to the jungle with the cowherds’ children and the cows. There, on beholding the beauty of the jungle, Shree Krishnù began to say to Buldeo, “Buldeo! this is a very pleasant, agreeable place; see, how the trees are bending under the weight of their branches, and beasts and birds of various kinds, sporting in every direction!”