O great king! after this speech, Rookmunee Jee once again thus said, “You have shown great affection towards my relation, in having laid hold of and bound him, and in being prepared with a sword in your hand to kill him.” Afterwards, she was very much agitated, and trembling, with downcast eyes and sobbing, she fell at his feet, and throwing open her breast, began to say, “O Krishnù! give my brother to me as an act of charity; and acquire renown for yourself in the world by this deed.” Shree Krishnù Chund Jee’s anger was entirely cooled by hearing these words, and looking towards Rookmunee, he did not deprive Rookum of life; but made a sign to his charioteer, who immediately pulled off his turban, and tying his hands behind his back shaved his moustachios, beard and head, leaving seven locks of hair, by which he fastened him to the chariot.
Having recited thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said, O great king! Shree Krishnù Jee thus treated Rookum; and Buldeo, having slain and put to flight all the armies of the demons, hastened to meet his brother with the same celerity as a white elephant runs about a place, abounding with water lilies, destroying devouring, and scattering about the flowers in great fury. At length he reached the presence of Krishnù; and perceiving that Rookum was bound, addressed Shree Krishnù Jee with great warmth and anger, “What is this you have done in binding your brother-in-law? You cannot leave off your bad habits; you have shown little sense in binding him; and by this act, Krishnù, you have severed the relationship, and brought a stain upon the family of Judoo; who will now connect himself with us? When he came before you to fight, why did you not expostulate with him, and send him back?”
O great king! having thus spoken, Bulram Jee released Rookum; and, having entered into explanations with him, dismissed him with the greatest politeness; and then joining his hands, Bulram, the abode of delight, said to Rookmunee Jee with great humility of manner, “O beauteous Rookmunee! it has not been our fault, that your brother has been subjected to this treatment; it is the recompense of his deeds in a former birth; and it is honourable for Chutrees, and their usual practice to arrange armies, and fight for land, wealth and women with each other; be not displeased at what has happened, but believe what I say, defeat and victory happen to him according to his fate, and this world is a sea of troubles; who from his entrance into it tastes of happiness? but men, being under the influence of delusion, estimate according to their different judgments, and form opinions of good and evil, pain and pleasure, victory and defeat, good and bad fortune. The soul, however, has no sensation of delight or misery, from these things do not vex yourself with the thought of your brother having been disfigured. The wise consider the soul as immortal, and the body as mortal. For this reason, the soul is not affected by any disgrace that happens to the body.”
Having narrated thus much, Shree Shookdeo Jee said to the Raja Pureechit,—O incarnation of justice! when Bulram Jee had thus advised Rookmunee, she having heard and reflected upon what he had said, was ashamed in presence of her husband’s elder brother. In the midst of the army, she said to her husband, “O lord of Bruj! drive on the chariot;” she covered herself with a veil, and spoke sweetly to Huri, “Buldeo is standing before us; O husband! drive on the chariot quickly.”
When Shree Rookmunee Jee had thus spoken, Shree Krishnù Chund Jee directed the chariot towards Dwarka; and Rookum having returned to his own people, and suffering great anxiety, said to them, “I started from Koondulpore with this vow, that I would go and destroy Krishnù and Bulram and all the descendants of Judoo, and bring Rookmunee here, my vow has not been accomplished; and I have instead of performing it, lost my honour; I will not survive this disgrace, but abandoning my country and home, and family and all worldly affairs, will become a religious ascetic, and seek death somewhere.” When Rookum had thus spoken, one of his household said, “O great king! you are a great hero, and very renowned, it was their good fortune to have escaped alive from your hands, they are indebted to the strength of their fate for this escape, otherwise, what enemy could encounter you, and escape alive? You are possessed of great understanding; why, therefore, do you think of pursuing such a course as you have mentioned? Sometimes defeat occurs, and sometimes victory, but it is the attribute of the brave and resolute not to lose confidence. Suppose your enemy has escaped to-day, we will destroy him some other time.” When he had thus advised him, Rookum replied, “I have been defeated by them, and my good name is gone, and I am most heartily ashamed; may I die, if I return to Koondulpore, but I will establish some other village.”
Having thus spoken, he peopled a city with inhabitants, to which he conveyed his children, wife and wealth. He named it Bhojkutoo; in this manner Rookum established a village.
O great king! Rookum dwelt there, being at enmity with the Raja Bheekmuk; and Shree Krishnù Chund and Buldeo Jee proceeded on their journey and arrived near Dwarka. The inhabitants of the city received intimation of their approach by the dust, caused by their chariots, which reached the sky. When they knew that Huri was coming, they completely arranged and prepared the city for his reception. Its beauty equalled that of the three worlds, who can attempt to describe it; at that time there were rejoicings in every house. Pillars of plantain were fixed at each entrance, golden water-pots filled with water and sprouts, were placed in every direction; flags and banners waved; garlands and wreaths of flowers were fastened in different places, and crowds of women were standing in every market, road and cross-road, holding lamps with four wicks; and the Raja Oogursen, accompanied by all the descendants of Judoo, advancing in musical procession to meet them according to the prescribed forms and ceremonies, escorted Bulram, the abode of pleasure, and Shree Krishnù Chund, the root of joy, to the city. The beauty of the scene baffles description; all the inhabitants, both men and women, were delighted. They came into the presence of Krishnù and presented their offerings. And the women sang songs of rejoicing at the gates and doors of their houses, and from sheds and house-tops, and performing the ceremony “Arta,” showered down flowers. Shree Krishnù Chund and Buldeo Jee displayed towards all great fascination of manner, and delighted them greatly; and progressing in this manner, they arrived at the palace and took up their abode there. Some days afterwards, Shree Krishnù Jee went one day to the royal court, where Rajas Oogursen, Soorsen, Basoodeo and all the grandees of the family of Judoo were sitting; and, having made a salutation, said, in their presence, “O great kings! it is called a devil’s marriage, if a man carry off a woman, after having gained a victory in battle.”
On hearing these words, Soorsen Jee sent for a family priest; and explaining to him said, “Fix a day for Shree Krishnù’s marriage.” He immediately drew forth an almanac, and having decided upon a favourable month, day, time, constellation and an auspicious period with respect to the sun and moon, fixed upon a day for the marriage. Raja Oogursen then gave the order to his ministers to collect all necessary materials, and make preparations for the marriage; and sitting down wrote letters of invitation to the members of the family of Koroo and Judoo, and all Rajas, far and near; and despatched them by the hands of brahmins. O great king! all the Rajas were highly gratified at receiving the letters of invitation; and started off, accompanied by brahmins, pundits, bards and beggars.
When Raja Bheekmuk received intelligence of these events, he delivered over to a brahmin many dresses, arms, ornaments, studded with gems, chariots, elephants, horses and male and female servants, sedan chairs; and, having made a vow in his mind respecting the giving his daughter in marriage, with very great humility, sent off all the different presents to Dwarka. The Rajas of the different countries came, and the brahmin also arrived, whom the Raja Bheekmuk had despatched with presents. The beautiful appearance of Dwarka at that time cannot be described. When at length the marriage-day came, after having gone through all the prescribed forms and ceremonies, they conducted the bride to a building, erected for the occasion, and adorned with flowers, and placed her upon a seat; and all the great chiefs and members of the family of Judoo came, and sat there also, at that time, pundits recited the Vedas; Huri circled round with Rookmunee. Drums and other musical instruments resounded; the delighted gods rained down flowers. Demi-gods, saints, bards and celestial musicians were all spectators from the sky. The wives of the gods, ascending their chariots; and collecting together, and stooping down, all sang songs of rejoicing. Taking hold of Rookmunee by the hand, Krishnù circled her round, and seated her on his left. They untied the knot, and re-turned the board used for sitting on at meals, and then performed pooja to the family Devee. Huri, unloosing Rookmunee’s bracelet, joined with her in the sport of eating milk, boiled rice and sugar together. The lord of the universe was highly delighted; all the spectators were filled with joy, and pronounced benedictions: “May the marriage of Huri and Rookmunee last long, whose natures have imbibed the spirit of nectar.” They gave presents to all the brahmins, who came; and robes of honour to the bards and panegyrists; and, having allowed them to take leave, had all the Rajas of the different countries escorted back.
Having recited thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—O great king! whoever shall read or hear of the actions of Huri and Rookmunee; and, having heard and read, shall remember them, will obtain religion, absolution from sin and celebrity. Moreover, whatever benefits are to be gained by the sacrifice of a horse and other sacrifices; by the gift of a cow and other gifts; by bathing in the Ganges and other holy bathing places; by going on a pilgrimage to Prag and other holy spots; will be bestowed on hearing and reciting this history.