HAVING narrated so much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said,--Raja! once on a time, Nund and Jusodha performed a great religious penance for a son; when Shree Narayun himself gave a promise, that he would be born in their house. When Shree Krishnù came at midnight on a Wednesday, the eighth of the dark part of the month Bhadon, Jusodha being awake at the time, and having beheld her son's face, sending for Nund, was highly delighted, and thought that she had gained every object of her life. Early in the morning, Nund Jee having got up sent for pundits and astrologers, who came with their books and almanacks, and Nund offered them seats with great respect, and honour. They, according to the precepts of the Shastrùs, having fixed upon the year, month, lunar-day, solar-day, division of the zodiack, the lucky moment, and exact, ray of light, and having considered the rising of a sign of the zodiack, and having settled a division of time equal to (48) forty-eight minutes, said,--"O great king! after consulting our Shastrùs we are of opinion, that the child about to be born will be a second deity, as Bruhmù; having destroyed all evil spirits, and relieved the burthens of Bruj, he shall be called the lord of cowherdesses, and the whole world shall sing his praises." On hearing this, Nund Jee The congratulations lasted in this manner for some days:--during this time, every one obtained whatever he asked from Nund Jee. Being free from the congratulations, Nund Jee sent for all the cowherds, and said to them, "Brothers! I have heard that Kuns is laying hold of all the little children "he can find; there is no knowing but some wicked person may say something against us; for which reason it is proper that we should in a body take presents, and offer annual tribute." They all agreed to this, and taking with them from their houses, milk, curds, butter and money, loading them on carts, they came from Gokool to Muttra, accompanied by Nund. Having had an interview with Kuns, they offered presents, and having paid their tribute, being permitted to depart, making their salutations, they returned homewards. When they reached the bank of the Jumna, Basoodeo Jee having received information of their coming, went there also: embracing Nund, and making enquiries regarding his affairs, he began to say, "I have not such a relative and friend
