Nund Jee, on hearing these words, went forward. And Akroor Jee undressed; and having washed his hands and feet, sipping a little water from the palm of his hand, he went upon the bank and into the water. After this, he dipped his head under water, performed pooja, poured out a libation of water to the manes of deceased ancestors, engaged in prayers and meditations; and after having dived his head under the water, opened his eyes, and beheld Shree Krishnù and his ruth in the water.
He then raised his head, and saw the lord of the Judoos in the same place, as he first occupied. He was astonished on reflecting upon this strange appearance, when he saw Krishnù far off on the ruth. They were both under the shade of a fig tree: and he saw them both in the water. He said to himself, “I cannot understand the mystery of their being both out of the water, and in it. Which shall I call the real figures?”
O great king! Akroor Jee, on seeing the same forms in and out of the water, was thinking of the phœnomenon; when in the mean while, Shree Krishnù Chund Jee appeared first of all in a form with four arms; and bearing a shell, quoit, club and lotus; and the gods, sages, celestial musicians and dancers together with all the worshippers of Huri, appeared in the water: and afterwards, Krishnù appeared as the sleeper on the serpent Sheshù. On beholding this Akroor Jee was still more perplexed.
CHAPTER XLI.
Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—O great king! whilst Akroor was standing in the water, and meditating for some time on Krishnù, he obtained knowledge; and joining his hands, and making obeisance, began to say to Krishnù, “You are the divinity, both creator and destroyer; and having come into the world for the sake of your worshippers, you assume endless forms and shapes; and gods, men and sages are particles of you. Being manifested from you, they are contained in you, as water is contained in the sea, having issued from the sea! Your greatness is incomparable! Who can describe it? You remain constantly in the form of the embodied spirit? The heaven is your head, the earth your feet, the sea your belly, the atmosphere, your navel, clouds your hair, trees the hair of your body, fire your mouth, the ten quarters of the world your ears, the sun and moon your eyes; Indrù your arm, Bruhmù your intellect, Roodrù your pride, thunder your speech, air your life, water your seed; day and night depend on the opening and shutting of your eye-lids. This is the form, in which you constantly dwell? Who can recognize you?” Akroor, having thus offered up praises to Krishnú, and meditated upon his feet said, “O lord of compassion! take me under your protection.”
CHAPTER XLII.
Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—O great king! when Shree Krishnù, with a delusive power, like that of jugglers, had shown himself in many shapes to Akroor, and had stolen away his senses, Akroor came out of the water, and standing on the bank, made an obeisance to Huri. Nund Lal then enquired from Akroor, “Uncle! why do you stay so long in the water, when it is so cold? I was very anxious about you, supposing that you had forgotten to proceed on your journey! Have you seen any thing strange? Explain to me, that the doubts of my mind may be removed?”
On hearing these words, Akroor said, joining his hands, “Lord of Bruj! you know every thing? You have shewn yourself admirably to me in the water. Nothing is too wonderful for Krishnù to perform. I have confidence in thee, let us proceed, lord! on the road to Muthoora? Let us not delay here, but go on quickly, and perform what we have to do.” At these words Huri went into the ruth, accompanied by Akroor, and stood up. Nund and all the cowherds had proceeded on their journey, and on arrival had pitched their tents outside the city of Muttra; and in anxious expectation of the arrival of Bulram and Krishnù, said to one another, “What has been the reason of the delay they have made in bathing, and why has Huri not yet arrived?” when Shree Krishnù Chund, the root of joy, arrived and met them.
Then Akroor Jee, with joined hands, and bowing his head, said in a supplicating manner, “O lord of Bruj! come and make my house pure, and gratify your worshippers with a sight of you?” Huri said in reply to Akroor, “First acquit yourself of your debt to Kuns, then show me your house. Present our humble compliments.” Akroor bowed his head at these words, and departed.
Having descended from his ruth, he arrived after some time at the place where Kuns was holding a court. On seeing him, Kuns descended from his throne, and gave him a most friendly reception; and taking hold of his hand with great respect, seated him on a throne near himself, and asked him to communicate all the news, and the occurrences of his late visit.