SHREE SHOOKDEO, the sage, said,--O great king! hear the progress of the history. When Shree Krishnù Chund, the root of joy, came to Dwarka, after having slain Kaljumun, released Moochkoond, deceived Joorasindhoo, accompanied by Buldeo Jee, life was revived in all the descendants of Judoo; and joy was diffused over the whole city: the inhabitants began to enjoy ease and happiness. Sometime after this, several of the descendants of Judoo went one day to the Raja Oogursen and said, "O great king! it is now necessary to make some arrangements for Bulram Jee's marriage, because he is of a marriageable age." On hearing these words, the Raja Oogursen sent for a brahmin, and entering into many explanations, and giving very particular instructions, said, "Go and betroth Bulram in some good family." Having thus spoken, and ordered the mixture rolee, rice, a rupee and a cocoanut to be brought, Oogursen marked the brahmin's forehead; and presenting him with the rupee and cocoanut allowed him to depart. He pursued his journey, and arrived at the abode of the Raja Rewut in the Anurta country. Having betrothed Bulram Jee to his daughter Rewutee, In the Bidurbh country there was a city, named Koondulpore, the Raja of which, Bheekmuk, was renowned, and known to fame in all parts of the world. Shree Seeta Jee descended upon the earth in his house. At the birth of his daughter, the Raja sent for astrologers, who came, and having determined upon a fortunate moment, named the child Rookmunee, and said, "O great king! we are of opinion, that this girl will possess an excellent disposition, be a receptacle of beauty, and equal Luchmee in excellent qualities, and be married to the first male, Vishnù." Having narrated thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said, O great king! she constantly played in this manner with her companions, and her beauty greatly increased every day. In the mean while Narud Jee came one day to Koondulpore; and, having seen Rookmunee, went to Shree Krishnù at Dwarka, and said, "O great king! a young virgin has been born in the house of the Raja Bheekmuk, who is a mine of beauty and virtue and excellent qualities, equal to Luchmee, and worthy of being wedded to you." From the time he heard this account from Narud Jee, Huri thought of her night and day. In this manner, O great king! Shree Krishnù Chund heard of the name and excellent qualities of Rookmunee; and I will now explain how she heard of the fame and celebrity of Krishnù. On one occasion several beggars from different countries went to Koondulpore, and sung the celebrated exploits of Krishnù, his birth at Muttra, his joining with the cowherds' children in childish games at Gokool and. Brindabun; and how he had made the descendants of Judoo happy by destroying evil spirits, and removing the burthens of the earth. All these circumstances they mentioned. On, hearing the
On hearing these words, they mentioned the families, virtues, personal appearance and power of the Rajas of many different countries; but Raja Bheekmuk did not approve of any of them. Then his eldest son, named Rookum, began to say, "Father! Sissoopal, the Raja of the city of Chunderee, is very powerful, and in every respect our equal, betroth Rookmunee to him, and gain reputation in the world." O great king! when the Raja would not acquiesce in his opinion, his younger son, whose name was Rookumkesh, said, "Father! give Rookmunee to Krishnù, and betroth her through Basoodeo." Bheekmuk was highly delighted at these words, and commended his son's speech: "You, although only a child, are more intelligent than the rest, I approve entirely of what you have said; there is a saying, enquire from persons of high and low degree, in order to give confidence to your own judgment; seize upon what is valuable in the discourse of each; this is the custom of the world." After this the Raja again said, "Rookumkesh has given good counsel; amongst the descendants of Judoo, the Raja Soorsen is very celebrated and of great renown, whose son Basoodeo Jee is; and in his house the immortal Vishnù, the god of gods, Shree Krishnù Chund Jee, has been born, and destroyed the mighty Kuns, and all evil spirits; and, having removed the burthens of the earth, has shed splendour on the family of Judoo, and conferred happiness on all the descendants of Judoo, and other subjects; we shall acquire fame and greatness in the world by bestowing Rookmunee on such
On hearing these words, the courtiers felt deep regret, and remained silent through fear; and the Raja Bheekmuk did not say any thing. Upon this Rookum sent for an astrologer; and having fixed upon a lucky day and fortunate moment, forwarded the nuptial gifts to the Raja Sissoopal by the hand of a brahmin, who went with them to the city of Chunderee, to the court of the Raja Sissoopal. On seeing him, the Raja made a salutation, and enquired from the brahmin, "Say, O god! whence have you come, and with what object?" The brahmin gave him his blessing and explained the reasons of his arrival. Raja Sissoopal was delighted at hearing them; and having sent for his family priest, received the nuptial gifts and dismissed the brahmin with many presents. He afterwards invited Joorasindhoo and other Rajas, who came with their armies; and he also went forth with his troops to the marriage. The brahmin, who had taken the marks for the forehead, said on his return to the Raja Bheekmuk, "O great king! I have given the marks to the Raja Sissoopal, and he is coming to the marriage in splendid procession: arrange your plans accordingly." Raja Bheekmuk was at first very sad, when he heard these words: afterwards, having reflected and thought upon the matter, he went into his palace and mentioned the subject to his wife, who immediately sent for musicians, and invited all her female relations; and gave a great festive entertainment, with a view of celebrating the marriage in due form, and with all the prescribed ceremonies. The Raja then came forth, and ordered his minister and counsellors "To collect together all things necessary for the marriage;" and they immediately carried the Raja's order into full effect by procuring every thing. People saw and heard what was being done: and a report got abroad in the city, that "Rookmunee was to have been married to Shree Having recited thus much of the history, Shree Shookdeo Jee said to the Raja Pureechit,--O lord of the earth! such was the talk in each house in the city: and in the palace, the women sang and played, and made the necessary preparations; brahmins read the Vedas, and caused all the usual customs of marriage to be duly observed: large kettle-drums resounded in many places; pillars formed of sprouting plaintain were fixed in the earth, and golden water pots, placed in front of each door; strings of flowers and garlands were fastened in every direction, and on one side, the inhabitants of the city apart, swept and spread with cloths the markets, roads and cross-roads. Whilst there was this bustle and preparation inside and outside the house, some female friends of Rookmunee came and said to her, Rookum has given thee to Sissoopal; and now Rookmunee; you have become a queen." Engaged in thought, and drooping her head she said, "My affections, words and vows are all centred in the lord of the world, (Krishnù.)" Having thus spoken, Rookmunee was much depressed in spirits, and sent for a brahmin, to whom she explained all her wishes, with joined hands and with many supplications; and treating him with great consideration, said, "O great king! take my message to Dwarka, and having mentioned it to Dwarkanath (Krishnù), bring him here with you, I shall be under the greatest obligation to you, and shall think that I am indebted to your kindness in obtaining Shree Krishnù, as my bridegroom." The brahmin replied, "Tell me what message I am to take, and I will mention it to Shree Krishnù Chund. He is the lord of compassion: and if he should compassionately consent to come, I will bring him with me." When the brahmin had thus spoken, Rookmunee Jee gave into his hands a letter, written in the most affectionate terms, and said, "Deliver it to Shree Krishnù Chund, the root of joy, and say to him for me, that his servant, with joined hands and the When Rookmunee Jee, O great king! dismissed the brahmin with these words, he meditated upon Krishnù, and repeating his name started for Dwarka; and through his love for Huri, arrived immediately. On arrival, he beheld the city in the midst of the sea, surrounded on all sides by extensive forests and hills, and beautiful groves; in which were heard the cries of animals, and notes of birds of all kinds. There were elegant tanks, filled with pure water; in which the lotus was in full bloom, and bees buzzed in swarms around: on the bank, geese and cranes and other birds were disporting; gardens of fruits and flowers of every kind extended for many toss, on the borders of which betel plantations flourished. Gardeners were standing at the wells, singing sweet melodies; and, plying the water-wheels and buckets, poured forth water in every direction; and the quays were thronged with female water-carriers. As the brahmin progressed, after having viewed this beautiful scene with delight, he saw very lofty castles on all sides of the city, having four gates, and doors studded with jewels, and inlaid with gold. Inside the city were five and seven-storied houses of gold and jewels, glittering with great splendour, and reaching to the sky: the spires of which were as resplendent as lightning. Flags and banners of various colours were waving: perfumed odours came forth from the doors, blinds, air-holes and trellis-work: at each door were pillars of plantain sprouts, and golden water-pots, filled with water: wreaths of flowers and garlands were fastened in every direction; and there were sounds of musical rejoicing in every house. In many places the Pooranùs were recited, and people discoursed of Huri. The eighteen different classes lived happily and at ease, the quoit Soodursun protecting the city. Having seated him on his throne, and washed his feet, he took the water with which his feet had been washed, and waited upon him with the same assiduity, that a person would observe in attending upon a deity. At length Krishnù, having rubbed him with perfumed paste, and having finished his ablutions, placed before him all kinds of delicacies; and afterwards presented him with pawn, and sprinkling him with saffron and sandal, placing a garland of flowers on his neck, took him to a chamber, ornamented with precious gems, and placed him on a bed with curtains, and studded with jewels. O great king! he was weary and fatigued with his journey, and soon fell into a most pleasant sleep. Shree Krishnù sat for a long time near him from an anxious desire to hear what he had to communicate to him; and kept constantly saying to himself, "That the brahmin would wake soon." When, at length, he found that he would not rise, he became uneasy; and sitting at the foot of his bed, began to rub his feet. The brahmin was awakened by this, and sat up. Then Huri made
