And millions of tongues repeated His Name and sang His praises, and millions of souls were flooded with love, because they had looked on His face and said His Name, which was as potent as His Love. For His Name contained Himself, and those who uttered His Name had Him in their hearts, and lo, the world to them was complete!
Majestic and vast, He walked 'mid the worshipping people, who saw but a youth of transcendent beauty, but felt the Unfathomable mystery, the Unknowable Grandeur, worthy to receive their deepest obeisance.
Through the streets of Mathura He went, bringing light to all whereon His smile fell.
And Kangsa, the tyrant, grew cold and gray, for he knew his doom was drawing nigh. And his sleep was disturbed by evil dreams, for he knew already the populace was welcoming Him whom none could look upon but to love.
CHAPTER XXXI.
The next day Krishna and Rāma went forth to view the capital of Mathura in all its holiday splendor.
They found the gates of the palace made of pure gold and studded with jewels and crystal. The broad street of the city and the pretty parks all luxuriant were with rare flowers and wondrous foliage. The splendid houses all seemed clothed and beautified for the ceremonies of the Bow, the symbol of the warrior's might, that were to take place that day.
It chanced that a washerman passed their way, balancing upon his head the clothes and making way towards the palace with them. In a spirit of mischief, Krishna said: "Give us the clothes that you carry to Kangsa, good fellow, for in need of them are we. Give them, and more I will give unto thee."
But the washerman in insolence replied:
"Upstarts, who are ye to dare to aspire to wear the clothes that belong to Kangsa the Great? Never have ye seen such clothes, and unfit to even touch them are ye. Be off and back to the country from whence ye came, or I will call the guards, who by my word will throw you in chains."