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Prem Sagar: Chapter XXIV

SHRED SHOOKDEO JEE said, when Shree Krishnù, having arrived near the Jumna, was standing under a tree, leaning on a club, all the cowherds' children and their companions came, and joining their hands said,--"O great king! we are very hungry; we have eaten all the food we brought with us, still our hunger has not gone off." Krishnù replied, "Observe that smoke, which appears some distance off. The inhabitants of Muttra are offering sacrifice secretly from fear of Kuns: go to them, and having mentioned my name, and made an obeisance, stand before them with hands joined; and from a distance ask for food with the same humility, as meek beggars ask for it."

The cowherds, after hearing this speech, went to the spot where the inhabitants of Muttra were sacrificing, (were seated preparing the sacrifice.) Having gone, and paid their respects, they said with the greatest humility, joining their hands,--"O great kings! Shree Krishnù Chund Jee has, with deferential respect, sent this message to you through us, he is very hungry, and would be much obliged if you would kindly send him something to eat." When the inhabitants of Muttra had heard this message from the cowherds, they replied angrily, "You must be very hungry to make such a request at this time; we will not give any one any thing until the

said to them, "Shree Krishnù has become hungry, while pasturing cows in the jungle, and has sent us to you--if you have any thing to eat, give it us." They were delighted on hearing these words from the cowherds, and ran off and brought gold dishes, filled with food of all sorts and flavours--and would not admit any one hindering or preventing them.

A woman of Muttra, whose husband would not allow her to go, having meditated and quitted her body, arrived before them all, and joined Krishnù's party, in the same way that water mixes (or unites) with water. And after her the rest of the. women came to the place where Krishnù was standing with the cowherds' children under the shade of a tree, with his hand on a companion's shoulder, his figure bent, and a lotus in his hand. On approaching him they placed the dishes before him, and having made an obeisance, they said to each other, on beholding the countenance of Huri, "Friend! this is Nund's son; let us completely gratify our eyes by looking at the moonlike face of him, on whom we meditated upon hearing his

"The foolish, avaricious proud priests, whose minds have been stained by the spirit, avarice and fascination of wealth, regarded God as man. How shall men, blinded by delusion, recognize the difference? Why should they not give food to him, to whom they offer up prayers, penance, sacrifice and love?

"O great king! that wealth, those mortals, and that modesty are advantageous, which may be useful to you; and likewise the penance, prayers and knowledge, by which your name is celebrated." After hearing this, Shree Krishnù Chund, having made enquiries about their welfare and condition, said, "Do not make obeisance to me, I am merely the child of the chief Nund. Do they who cause themselves to be worshipped by Brahmins' wives, obtain greatness in the world? knowing me to be hungry, you took compassion, and thought of me in the jungle. How shall I now entertain you? Brindabun, my home, is far off; how shall I be able to treat you with proper dignity and respect? If I were there, I would bring flowers and fruits, and place them before you. You have suffered inconvenience on my account by coming into the jungle; and I regret, that I have not been able to serve you in any way." He said again in the same complaisant manner, "It is a long time since you came here: be pleased now to go home, as the Brahmins, your husbands, will be expecting you; because the sacrifice is not propitious without the presence of the wife." Having heard this speech of Krishnù's, they said, joining their hands, "O great king! we fixing our affections on your lotus-like