O great king! he was weary and fatigued with his journey, and soon fell into a most pleasant sleep. Shree Krishnù sat for a long time near him from an anxious desire to hear what he had to communicate to him; and kept constantly saying to himself, “That the brahmin would wake soon.” When, at length, he found that he would not rise, he became uneasy; and sitting at the foot of his bed, began to rub his feet. The brahmin was awakened by this, and sat up. Then Huri made kind enquiries, and said, “Your government, country and person are auspicious, explain to me your circumstances, for what purpose have you come here, and conferred happiness on me by your arrival?” The brahmin replied, “O abode of mercy! be pleased to listen with attention, and I will explain the reasons of my coming: Since, O great king! the daughter of Bheekmuk, Raja of Koondulpore, heard of your great name, and your many excellent qualities, she has her thoughts fixed on you constantly, night and day, and desires to attend upon your lotus-like feet. A chance offered of her doing so, but it was rendered unsuccessful.” Krishnù enquired, “What the chance was?” The brahmin said, “O kind to the poor! one day the Raja Bheekmuk having assembled all his courtiers and relations, said to them, ‘Brothers! my daughter is of an age to be married; we must now fix upon a husband for her.’ When the Raja had thus spoken, they mentioned the families, virtues, renown and power of a great many Rajas, of whom, however, he did not approve. Upon this, Rookumkesh mentioned your name, at which the Raja was delighted, and acquiesced in what he proposed, and said to them all, ‘Brothers! his words are engraved in my mind, as though they had been engraved on stone, what is your opinion?’ They replied, ‘If, O great king! you were to search the aggregate of the three worlds, you would not meet with such a bridegroom, and such a family as his: for which reason, you should, without any delay, quickly give Rookmunee in marriage to Shree Krishnù Jee.’ O great king! this had been resolved upon, when Rookum prevented its being carried into effect, and betrothed Rookmunee to Sissoopal; and he has gone forth to the marriage, taking all his army of evil spirits with him.”
Having recited thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—O lord of the earth! the brahmin, having thus informed Huri, delivered Rookmunee Jee’s letter to him, who received it with the utmost affection, and placed it in his breast; and after reading it said with delight to the brahmin, “O divinity! suffer not any anxiety; I will accompany you, and, having slain the evil spirits, will fulfil Rookmunee’s wishes.”
The brahmin was restored to confidence by these words; but Huri was occupied with anxious thoughts of Rookmunee.
CHAPTER LIV.
Shookdeo Jee said,—Raja! Shree Krishnù Chund, having thus inspired the brahmin with confidence, said, “As a burning flame comes forth from wood by rubbing it, so will I bring away the beauteous Rookmunee, having destroyed the army of wicked demons.”
Having thus spoken, and arrayed himself in an elegant and handsome dress, covered with jewels, Krishnù went to the Raja Oogursen, and said with joined hands, “O great king! Bheekmuk, the Raja of Koondulpore, has written me a letter, offering his daughter, which he has sent by the hand of his family priest, and has invited me to come alone; with your permission I will go, and, having married his daughter, bring her here.” Oogursen said in reply, “Why have you fixed your affections in so distant a country? You are going there alone, Moorari; avoid entering into quarrels, or wrangling with any one; who will send us intelligence here of you?” Oogursen afterwards added, “Well, if you must go there, take all your army with you, and go accompanied by your brother, and return quickly after the marriage; do not fight or quarrel with any one there; because you will live long and will be able to obtain many very beautiful women.” On receiving his permission, Shree Krishnù Chund said to Oogursen, “O great king! you have spoken truly, but I will proceed in advance; and please send Bulram Jee after me with the army.” With these words, Huri took leave of Oogursen and Basoodeo; and, having gone to the brahmin, sent for his ruth, and Daruk, his charioteer. On receiving Krishnù’s order, he immediately harnessed a chariot with four horses, on which Shree Krishnù ascended; and, having seated the brahmin by his side, proceeded from Dwarka to Koondulpore. On emerging from the city, he saw herds of deer running on his right hand; and lions and lionesses, rushing roaring from opposite him, with their food.
Upon observing this good omen, the brahmin reflected and said, “O great king! from beholding this omen, I am of opinion, that you will obtain a full accomplishment of your wishes, just as these animals have obtained the object of their desires.” Shree Krishnu Chund replied, “By your favour it will happen so.” Having then spoken, Huri advanced thence; and beholding new countries, cities and villages arrived at Koondulpore; and observed, on his arrival, that the beauty of the city had been very much increased by the marriage preparations, which were being everywhere made. The lanes were swept clean, and the cross-roads spread over with cloths, and sprinkled with perfumes and sandal wood. There were clusters of betelnut and vegetables, in the midst of which, cocoanuts of gold were distributed. There were innumerable garlands in each house, composed of green leaves, fruits and flowers; flags, banners and wreaths were waving in the air, and elegant golden spires were attached to the tops of domes, and there was rejoicing in each house. O great king! such was the beauty of the scene in the city; but it is impossible to give a description of the festivities inside the palace, which required to be seen to be properly appreciated. Shree Krishnù Chund having, in the course of his progress, seen all the city, encamped in an enclosed ground, belonging to the Raja Bheekmuk, and seated in the refreshing shade, having cooled himself after his journey, said to the brahmin, “O divinity! go first of all, and inform Rookmunee Jee of my arrival, that she may acquire confidence, and banish her sorrows. Afterwards acquaint me with all that has transpired there, that I may arrange my plans accordingly.” The brahmin said, “O lord of mercy! to-day is the first day of the marriage; and there is great confusion and bustle of preparation in the palace, I will go and take an opportunity of mentioning your arrival to Rookmunee Jee, when I find her alone.” With these words the brahmin went thence. O great king! Huri thus arrived quietly and alone; whilst on the other hand, Raja Sissoopal, accompanied by Joorasindhoo and armies of demons, arrived with boundless show and splendour, and brought such a crowd with him, that the king of the serpent race, the snake Sheshù, on one of the heads of which the world rests, began to totter from the weight, and the earth to be upset. Having received information of their arrival, Raja Bheekmuk advanced with his ministers and relations to receive them: and having met the bridegroom with great honour and dignity, robing all the party in robes of honour, and presenting them with arms studded with jewels, and ornaments, elephants, and horses, brought them into the city; and having fixed upon a place in the bride’s house for the reception of the bridegroom and his train, entertained them with deferential respect.
Having proceeded thus far in the narrative, Shree Shookdeo, the sage, said,—O lord of the earth! I will now narrate an intermediate story, to which be pleased to listen with attention. When Shree Krishnù Chund left Dwarka, all the descendants of Judoo went to Raja Oogursen, and said, “O great king! we have heard, that Raja Sissoopal has gone to Koondulpore with Joorasindhoo and all his army of evil spirits to the marriage; and Huri has gone alone. From this we are certain, that there will be fighting between them and Shree Krishnù Jee. With this opinion, firmly fixed in our mind, how can we remain here, pretending ignorance, and abandon Huri? Our own wishes are averse to this, and we are ready to act according to your instructions.”
On hearing these words, the Raja Oogursen was greatly alarmed and frightened; and having sent for Bulram Jee, explained to him and said, “Go quickly with all my army to Koondulpore, so as to reach the city before Shree Krishnù’s arrival, and bring him back with you.” On receiving the Raja’s order, Buldeo Jee took with him to Koondulpore fifty-six crores of the descendants of Judoo. The elephants of the army of all colours, black, white and purple, appeared like clouds, and their white tusks appeared like rows of cranes. The large kettle-drums sounded like thunder, and their arms shone like lightning. Troops of horsemen, dressed in red and yellow, were seen scattered here and there: whole ranges of chariots advanced, glittering with splendour; on beholding the beauty of which, the gods were delighted, and with the greatest joy rained down flowers from the sky, seated in their cars and expressed wishes for Krishnù’s success and victory. In the mean while, and about the time of Huri’s arrival, Bulram Jee arrived also at Koondulpore. After this, Shree Shookdeo Jee added, O great king! Shree Krishnù Chund, the sea of beauty and light of the world, arrived thus at Koondulpore; but Rookmunee, not having been informed of his coming, was displeased, and gazed in every direction, like the moon, which is dimmed on the approach of morning. Her elegant mind was greatly overwhelmed by excess of anxious thought; and she stood gazing and looking in every direction from a lofty balcony. She peeped through the windows and doors, tears streaming from her eyes. Dissatisfied, and greatly depressed in mind, she sighed deeply, weeping from agitation, and oppressed with sad thoughts she said, “Why has Huri not come yet, whose name is ‘the acquainted with the secrets of the heart?’ What fault have I committed, that he has not yet thought of me? Has the brahmin not gone to him, or does he think me ugly, and not wish to return my affection, or has he been prevented by the arrival of Joorasindhoo? To-morrow is the marriage-day, and the demon has come. If he should take my hand to-morrow, how can this sinful soul survive without Huri? Prayers, penance, vows and acts of charity have been no protection to me. What shall I do? Whither shall I go? Sissoopal has come with his marriage procession; why has the merciful Krishnù delayed coming so long?”
When Rookmunee had thus spoken, one of her companions said, “How can Huri come to such a distant country, without permission from his father and brother?” Another said, “He, whose titles are ‘acquainted with the secrets of the heart and merciful to the poor,’ will certainly not fail in coming. Be of good cheer, Rookmunee; be not agitated, I have a firm belief, that some one will come presently, and announce Huri’s arrival.”