O great king! when Mittrabinda, listening to the advice of her brother, withdrew and stood apart at some distance from Krishnù, Urjoon leaning forward whispered in his ear, “O great king! what are you hesitating about? the business is a failure; carry into execution immediately, and without delay, any plan you may have formed.” When Urjoon had thus spoken, Shree Krishnù Jee instantly seized Mittrabinda’s hand in the midst of the assembled party; and, carrying her off, placed her on his chariot, and drove off in sight of them all. The Rajas seized their arms, and mounting their horses, and circling round to the front of Krishnù, stood in battle order. And the people in the city laughing, and clapping their hands together, played upon musical instruments; and pouring forth abuse, began to say, “Krishnù has come to marry his father’s sister’s daughter; a notable act no doubt, which will make him very famous.”
Shree Shookdeo Jee, having narrated thus much of the history, said,—O great king! when Shree Krishnù Chund saw that he was surrounded on all sides by the army of demons, and could not avoid fighting, he drew forth several arrows from his quiver; and bending his bow, discharged them in such a manner, that the whole army of demons was scattered and dispersed in every direction, and Krishnù arrived safely at Dwarka, and free from all alarm.
Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—O great king! in this manner Shree Krishnù Jee took Mittrabinda to Dwarka, and married her there. Listen with attention, and I will now mention, how he brought away Sutya. In the Kuosul country, there was a Raja, named Nugnujjit, who had a daughter, named Sutya. When she was of a marriageable age, the Raja procured seven huge, terrible bulls without strings in their noses: and let them loose in the country, making a vow, “That he would marry his daughter to any person who should fasten strings in the noses of the seven at once.”
O great king! those seven bulls ranged about the country, bellowing and pawing the ground with their heads down and tails raised, and killed whomsoever they met. Hearing of this circumstance, Shree Krishnù Chund went, accompanied by Urjoon, and stood in the presence of the Raja Nugnujjit. On seeing him, the Raja descended from his throne, and prostrating himself so as to touch the ground with the eight principal parts of his body, seated Krishnù upon his throne; and placing sandal, unbroken rice and flowers on his head, offering perfumes, lamps and consecrated food, said, in a most supplicating manner, with joined hands and bended head, “My good fortune to-day is very great, that Krishnù, the lord of Shivù and Bruhmù, has come to my house.” He went on to say, “O great king! I have made a certain compact, which is difficult of accomplishment; but I am now certain, that, through your favour, it will be speedily accomplished.” Krishnù said, “Tell me, what vow you have made so difficult of fulfilment?” The Raja replied, “O lord of compassion! I have let loose seven bulls without strings in their noses: and made this compact, that I will marry my daughter to any person who shall put strings in the noses of the seven at once.”
Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—O great king! Huri, having heard this, fastened his girdle; and, having assumed seven different forms, went and stood where the bulls were; no one saw what was done invisibly, and Krishnù put strings in the noses of the seven at once. The bulls stood as quietly as wooden bulls, whilst the strings were being fastened in their noses; and when this was done, Krishnù led them all, with one rope, to the court of the Raja. When the inhabitants of the city beheld this exploit, they were all, both male and female, astonished, and began to pour forth loud exclamations of praise. The Raja Nugnujjit then sent for the family priest, and gave his daughter in marriage according to the prescribed injunctions of the Vedas. Her dowry consisted of ten thousand cows, nine lakhs of elephants, ten lakhs of horses, seventy-three lakhs of chariots, and male and female servants without number. When Shree Krishnù Chund departed thence, taking the dowry with him, the Rajas of the country were greatly enraged; and came and surrounded him on his way back. Urjoon destroyed and put them to flight, with arrows; and Huri returned with them all to Dwarka, happy and rejoicing. The inhabitants of the city, coming out to meet him, and spreading silken cloths, brought Krishnù, in musical procession, to the royal palace, and were amazed at seeing the dowry. The people extolled Nugnujjit, and said, “This is a great alliance. The Raja of Kuosul has done well in marrying his daughter to Krishnù, and giving such a large dowry.”
O great king! the inhabitants of the city discoursed thus amongst themselves, when Shree Krishnù Chund and Bulram arrived there; and gave all Raja Nugnujjit’s dowry to Urjoon, and acquired a great reputation in the world by the act.
I will now mention the circumstances, attending the marriage of Shree Krishnù Jee with Bhudra: listen attentively, and at your ease. Bhudra, the daughter of the Raja of Kykye, chose a husband for herself, and wrote letters to all the neighbouring Rajas, who all came, and were assembled together. Shree Krishnù Chund went also, accompanied by Urjoon, and stood in the court amongst the rest of the party. When the Raja’s daughter, looking at and observing the different chiefs with a garland in her hand, came to the sea of beauty, the light of the world, Shree Krishnù Chund, she was fascinated, and threw the garland upon his neck. When her mother and father saw this, they were delighted, and married their daughter to Huri according to the Vedas; bestowing upon her an unbounded marriage portion.
Having recited thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—O great king! Shree Krishnù Chund having thus married Bhudra, I will now mention how he married Luchmuna. When Luchmuna, the daughter of the very powerful and renowned Raja of Bhudrades, was marriageable, she chose a husband for herself, and sent letters of invitation to the Rajas of all countries; who came with great pomp and splendour, with their armies arrayed and fully equipped; and sat down in the assembly in well arranged rows. Shree Krishnù Chund Jee went there also, accompanied by Urjoon; and as he stood amongst the rest of the party, Luchmuna, having observed all who were present, came and threw a garland on the neck of Krishnù. Her father married Luchmuna to him according to the Vedas. All the Rajas who had come there, were greatly abashed; and said to one another, “Let us see whether Krishnù will take away Luchmuna while we are here.”
Having thus spoken, they all arranged their forces, and blocking up the road, stood ready for battle. As Shree Krishnù Chund and Urjoon advanced in the chariot with Luchmuna, they came and stopped them, and began to fight. At length, after some time, Urjoon and Shree Krishnù destroyed, and put them all to flight with arrows; and reached the city of Dwarka, happy and rejoicing. On their arrival, there were songs of congratulation and rejoicing in every house throughout the city, according to the injunctions of the Vedas.
Having proceeded thus far in the narrative, Shree Shookdeo Jee said,—O great king! in this manner Shree Krishnù Chund contracted five marriages, and lived happily at Dwarka with his eight queens, who were in constant attendance upon him. The queens’ names were Rohnee, Jamwutee, Sutbhama, Kalindee, Mittrabinda, Sutya, Bhudra and Luchmuna.