Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—O great king! one day Shree Krishnù Chund, the brother of the world, the root of joy, determined to go and see whether the Pandoos had escaped alive from the conflagration. Huri started from Dwarka with several of the descendants of Judoo, and went to Hustinapoor. On hearing the news of his arrival, Joodisthur, Urjoon, Bheem, Nukool and Suhdeo, five brothers, rose up with the greatest delight; and, having gone outside the city, and met Krishnù with a most cordial reception, escorted him to their house. As they were entering the house, Koontee and Dropudee summoned seven married women: and having filled up a square with pearls, placed a chair of gold upon it, upon which they seated Shree Krishnù. Having caused all kinds of festive rejoicings to be made, they performed the ceremony of “Arta” with their own hands; and washing his feet, they conducted him to the banquetting room, and feasted him with all sorts of delicacies.
O great king! when Shree Krishnù Chund had finished his repast, and began to eat betel, Koontee sat next him, and entering into conversation enquired after her father and brother: “Are Soorsen and Basoodeo, my brother, and my nephew, Buldeo, well? in whom my soul is bound up; who, except you, can drive away affliction and grief? You afforded me protection, when great calamity befel me. O Krishnù! you are the dispeller of the sorrows of others: your five brothers fly to you for refuge; as the doe dreads a herd of wolves, so do Doorjodhun’s subjects dread him.”
O great king! when Koontee had thus spoken, Joodisthur joined his hands and said, “You, O Krishnù! are chief and lord of the Judoos. Devotees meditate constantly upon you, and not upon Shivù and Bruhmù. What meritorious act have I performed, that you have visited me in my own house. Gratify me by remaining four months, and return home after the rainy season.”
Having recited thus much, Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—O great king! on hearing these words, Shree Beharee, the friend of his worshippers, having inspired them all with hope and confidence, remained there; and added daily to their joy and delight. One day, Shree Krishnù Chund taking a bow and arrows in his hand, went in a chariot to hunt in the forest, accompanied by the five brothers; and on arrival there, dismounting from his chariot, and fastening his belt, prepared to shoot his arrows; and, beating the jungle, began to kill lions, tigers, rhinoceroses, wild buffaloes, and deer and antelopes of different kinds; and brought all his game to the Raja Joodisthur, who distributed some of it, and sent some for the supply of his own table. Whilst Shree Krishnù Chund and Urjoon were engaged in sport, they advanced some distance beyond the rest of the party, and stood under a tree. They then both went to the banks of a river, and drank some water. At this time Shree Krishnù Jee saw on the river-bank a very beautiful young virgin, with a face like the moon, of the colour of the flower chumpa, with eyes like those of a deer, a voice like the kokila, the gait of an elephant and a waist like a lion’s; ornamented from head to foot, having imbibed the spirit of Kamù (Cupid,) of a most brilliant appearance, wandering about alone. Huri was amazed and struck with astonishment at beholding her, and said, “Who is that beautiful creature, with such a charming figure, wandering about without a companion?”
O great king! when Krishnù had thus spoken, Urjoon, who saw her also, ran hurriedly to the spot, where the lovely girl was wandering about, exulting on the river-bank, and began to address her, “Say, beauteous damsel, who art thou, and whence hast thou come, and why art thou wandering here alone? Explain this strange mystery to me.” On hearing these words, the beautiful girl explained her history, “I am a virgin daughter of the sun, my name is Kalindee; my father appointed me an abode in water. He came and having built for me a house in the river, thus instructed me, ‘Continue wandering, O daughter! near the river, where you will meet with a husband. Krishnù will descend upon the earth in the family of Judoo, and will come after you to the place of your wandering, the first male, the immortal Huri, for whom you have been born.’ From the time my father, the sun, thus spoke to me, I have longed for the approach of Huri.”
Urjoon, O great king! was very much pleased to hear these words, and said, “O beauteous creature! the immortal lord, the inhabitant of Dwarka, Shree Krishnù Chund, the root of joy, for whose sake thou art wandering here, has arrived.” When Urjoon, O great king! had thus spoken, Shree Beharee, the friend of his worshippers, came up in his chariot. When, on beholding Krishnù, Urjoon explained her history to him, Shree Krishnù Chund Jee smiled, and quickly placing her upon his chariot, returned towards the city. And Bishookurma, consulting privately the taste and wishes of Shree Krishnù Chund, built a most beautiful palace, whilst Krishnù was coming from the forest to the city: and brought Kalindee there, and abode there himself. Sometime after this, on one occasion Shree Krishnù Chund and Urjoon were sitting together at night, when the element fire having come, said to Huri, joining his hands and bowing his head, “O great king! I have wandered about the whole world for a long time in a state of hunger, and have not obtained any thing to eat. My only hope is in you: with your permission, I will go and devour the forests and jungles.” Krishnù granted him permission. Fire then said, “O lord of compassion! I cannot go into the jungle alone: if I do, Indrù will come and extinguish me.” On hearing this, Shree Krishnù Jee said to Urjoon, “Brother! go and allow Fire to eat some food: he is dying from excessive hunger.”
O great king! when Shree Krishnù Chund Jee had thus spoken, Urjoon accompanied Fire with his bow and arrows; who having reached the jungle blazed forth, and began to burn up mango, tamarind and every kind of tree, and the grass and bamboos crackled with a loud noise; and the animals in the forest wandered about, losing their road. On all sides fire raged and spread in the forest; and smoke ascended in wreaths to the sky. On perceiving the smoke, Indrù summoned the lord of the clouds and said, “Go and shower down rain most copiously, and put out the fire, and save the lives of the beasts and birds, and animals of the forest.” Having received this order, the lord of the clouds, taking masses of clouds with him, came there, and began to thunder: and as he was on the point of pouring down rain, Urjoon discharged such arrows of wind, that the clouds were dispersed, and blown in every direction; like flocks of cotton, driven about by gusts of air. No one saw them come, or depart, they vanished as they came; and fire, burning up the forest and jungle, came to the abode of a demon, named Mye. Beholding Fire approach, full of rage, Mye was terrified: and coming out of his house, with naked feet, and a cloth thrown about his neck, came and stood in Fire’s presence with joined hands; and prostrating himself so as to touch the ground with the eight principal parts of his body, said, most beseechingly, “O lord! O lord! save me quickly from this fire, and protect me, O deity of fire! you have obtained a satiety of food, do not now meditate any crime, listen to my supplications, and save me from Fire.”
O great king! when the demon Mye had thus spoken, the deity of fire laid hold of his fiery arrows; and even Urjoon started with amazement. At length, they both took Mye with them to Shree Krishnù Chund, the root of joy, and said, “O great king! this demon Mye will be of use, and will build a place of abode for you. Take thought now of Mye; and, having extinguished the fire, banish all his fears.” Having thus spoken, Urjoon placed his bow, Gandeeb, and arrows upon the ground; and Krishnù, looking towards the deity of fire, made a sign by winking his eye, and the fire was put out immediately; and the whole forest became cool. Shree Krishnù Chund then went on with Urjoon and Mye. There Mye erected, in a second, a most beautiful, elegant and fascinating house of gold, studded with gems; a description of the beauty of which is impossible; whoever came to see it, stood gazing like a picture with astonishment. Shree Krishnù Jee remained there four months, and came thence to the royal court of Joodisthur; and, on arrival, he solicited the Raja’s permission to go to Dwarka; when they heard this request, Raja Joodisthur and his whole court were very sad, and there was great anxiety amongst the women in the female apartments. At length Krishnù having entered into suitable explanations with them all, and inspired them with confidence, took leave of Joodisthur, accompanied by Urjoon. Having left Hustinapoor, he arrived in a few days, after a very pleasant trip, at Dwarka. Joy was spread through the city on the news of his arrival; and the pangs of separation, which they had all endured, were felt no longer. His mother and father, on seeing their son’s face were delighted; and forgot all their sorrows. Shree Krishnù Jee went, on a subsequent day, to the Raja Oogursen, and explained the history of Kalindee, “O great king! I have brought Kalindee, the daughter of the sun, marry her to me in the manner prescribed by the Vedas.” On hearing this, Oogursen gave an order to one of his ministers “To go immediately and prepare all things necessary for the marriage.” On receipt of the order, the minister immediately procured all that was required. Oogursen and Basoodeo then sent for an astrologer, and having fixed upon a lucky day, united Shree Krishnù Jee in marriage to Kalindee, according to the forms and ceremonies prescribed by the Vedas.
Having recited thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—Raja! in this manner Kalindee was married; I will now mention, how Huri brought away and married Mittrabinda; listen with attention. Mittrabinda was the daughter of Rajdhewee, the aunt of Krishnù and Soorsen’s daughter. When she was marriageable, she selected a husband for herself. Rajas from all countries were collected together on the occasion, possessed of many eminent mental qualities, very handsome, intelligent, powerful, courageous, brave and resolute, and dressed and decked out, so as each to rival the other. Having received intelligence of this event, Shree Krishnù Chund Jee went, accompanied by Urjoon, and stood amongst the rest of the party, assembled on the occasion. The girl was delighted at seeing Krishnù; throwing a garland on his neck, she remained gazing on his countenance.
O great king! all the Rajas were ashamed, and displeased on observing this proceeding; and Doorjodhun went to her brother, Mittrasen, and said “Brother! Huri is your uncle’s son, with whom your sister has fallen in love. This is contrary to the custom of the world, and the world will laugh at such behaviour; go and advise your sister not to marry Krishnù, otherwise the whole crowd of Rajas will laugh.” Upon this Mittrasen went and advised his sister against the marriage.