When they proceeded thence, a tailor came, and making a salutation said, standing before them with joined hands, addressing Krishnù, “O great king! I am called the servant of Kuns, but in my mind I am constantly celebrating your many virtues; if you will be so kind as to give me the order, I will put on the clothes for them, and from doing so, shall be called your servant.”
When he had thus spoken, Shree Krishnù Chund, acquainted with the secrets of the heart, knowing him to be one of his worshippers, called him near, and said, “You have come at a lucky moment; (or it is lucky you have come,) fit the clothes well on them.”
Upon this he began at once to unseam and unravel, and cut and patch; and sewed the clothes up again so as to fit exactly; then having selected dresses for Krishnù and Bulram and all the rest, he assisted in dressing them. After this, Nund Lal, having granted him absolution from sin, took him with him and went on.
Soodama, gardener, came there and brought them to his house. He placed garlands upon all of them; there were songs of congratulation and rejoicing in the gardener’s house.
CHAPTER XLIII.
Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—O lord of the earth! having seen the gardener’s great attachment, Shree Krishnù Chund was rejoiced, and granted him a blessing for his faith; and as he proceeded onwards, he saw standing before him in a lane a hump-backed woman, who had cups and broad plates, filled with saffron and sandal in her hand. Huri enquired, “Who art thou, and where art thou taking these things?” She replied, “O kind to the poor! I am the servant of Kuns; my name is ‘Hump-back,’ and I constantly rub and anoint Kuns’ body with sandal; and in my own mind, sing of your many excellent qualities. Through the glorious favour of which I have obtained a sight of you to-day; and gained the greatest happiness in my present birth, and have seen the object my eyes most wished to see. The wish of this slave now is, with your permission, to rub you with sandal.”
Seeing her great faith, Huri said, “Rub me with it, if it will give you any pleasure.” On hearing these words the hump-backed woman, with very great affection and endearment, anointed Krishnù; who, perceiving her sincere attachment, took compassion on her, and placing his foot on hers, and putting his two fingers under her chin, caused her to jump up, and made her straight. On being touched by Huri’s hand, she became very beautiful, and said in a most supplicating manner to Krishnù, “O lord of favour! as through your beneficence you have made this slave’s body straight, be pleased to extend your compassion by coming to my house, and purifying it; and having taken repose confer happiness on your servant.” Huri taking hold of her hand, and smiling, replied, “Thou hast removed all my fatigue by rubbing me with cool sandal: thy beauty is great; and the good qualities of thy mind, and thy virtues are excellent. My friendship for thee shall be without end. After having destroyed Kuns, I will come to see thee.” Saying these words, Krishnù went on; and the hump-backed woman, who had been made straight, went home; and having filled a square place with coloured meal, perfumes and sweetmeats, and entertaining a firm hope of again meeting Krishnù, began to indulge in rejoicings.
The women of Muthoora came there, and on seeing her, were astonished, and said—“Great, very great is your good fortune, O hump-back! to whom Bruhmù has shown affection! What difficult act of penance have you performed, that the lord of cowherdesses has visited you and taken you in his arms? We, who are without bodily defects, have not seen Huri, he has had an interview with you, and shown you the greatest affection.” The women continued talking thus, whilst Krishnù went about, looking at Muthoora.
Whilst they were engaged in seeing the city, Krishnù arrived with his companions at the gate, where the bow was. On seeing them approach, besmeared with colours of different kinds, and in a state of intoxication, the sentinels called out angrily, “Where are you coming, you stupid villagers? go away some distance off, this is the royal gate.” Huri, pretending not to hear what the sentinels said, went straight to the spot where the bow of Muhadeo, which was very large and weighty, and as long as three palm trees, was placed. On arrival there, he immediately took it up, and, bending it with ease to its full extent, broke it in pieces, in the same way that an elephant breaks sugar-cane in pieces.
All the sentinels of Kuns, who were guarding the bow, rushed forward and attacked him, but Krishnù overthrew and killed them also. On beholding these exploits, the inhabitants of the city began to reflect, and say fearlessly to each other, “Behold! the Raja, sitting in his own house, has himself invited his own death; he will not escape alive from the hands of these two brothers.” And having heard the crash, caused by the breaking of the bow, Kuns enquired, with great terror from his people, “What had occasioned so great a noise?” In the mean while, many of his attendants, who were looking on at a distance, came with their heads uncovered, and called out, “By the oath of the great Raja! Bulram and Krishnù, by coming into the city, have caused great disturbance: they have broken in pieces the bow of Shivù, and killed all the guards.”