Part 64 (1/2)

”O Lotus eyed! even so it is as thou sayest. I am quite unlike thee, the Great Bhagavat. Lord of even Brahma, Vishnu and Siva, Thou art plunged in Thy own greatness. What am I to Thee, the Gunas forming my essence?

It is only ignorant people who wors.h.i.+p me. (For fear of kings, thou hast taken refuge in the sea.) But the kings are the Gunas, (Sound, Touch, Form, Taste, and Smell which compose the object world.) For fear of them, as it were, thou hast taken refuge in the inner ocean of the heart, and there thou dost manifest Thyself, as pure Chaitanya. The object-seeking Indriyas are no doubt thy constant enemies. But when thou speakest of giving up kingly seats, why even thy votaries give them up, as darkness itself. The ways of even Munis who wors.h.i.+p Thy Lotus feet are unknown; what of thine own? When their ways are uncommon, what of thine? Thou art poor indeed, for there is nothing besides thee, (and so nothing can form Thy wealth.) But thou dost receive the offerings of others and they seek thee. It is not through ignorance, but knowing that thou art the atma of the Universe, that I have sought Thee. The flow of Time that arises from Thy eyebrow swallows up the desires of even Brahma and others. I did not even seek them for Thy sake. What speakest thou of others? As the lion carries away his share by force from other animals, so thou didst carry me away from amongst the kings. How can I believe that thou didst take shelter in the Sea from fear of such kings? Anga, Prithu, Bharata, Yayati, Gaya and other jewels of kings gave up their kingdoms and sought thee in the forests. Did woe befall them that thou talkest of woe to me? The Gunas have their resting place in thee. Thou art the home of Lakshmi. Moksha is at Thy feet. What foolish woman shall follow others, neglecting Thee? I have accepted thee, the Lord and soul of the Universe, the giver of all blessings here and hereafter. Let thy Moksha-giving feet be my shelter. Let those women have the kings for their husbands, those a.s.ses, bullocks, dogs, cats, and servants who have not heard of Thee.

”(What is man without atma?) Those that have not smelt the honey of Thy Lotus feet seek the dead body, though it seems to be alive, consisting of flesh, blood, bone, worms, excrement, phlegm, bile and gas, covered over with skin, hair and nails.” (Mula Prakriti in the Universe, or Budhi in man, is wedded to atma, represented by Sri Krishna. The kings represent here the followers of material elements in the Universe or in man.)

THE SONS OF KRISHNA.

*SKANDHA X. CHAP. 61.*

The wives of Krishna had each ten sons.

_The Sons of Rukmini were._ - Pradyumna, Charudeshna, Sudeshna, Charudeha, Sucharu, Charu Gupta, Bhadra Charu, Charu-Chandra, Vicharu and Charu.

_The ten sons of Satyabhama were._ - Bhanu, Subhanu, Svarbhanu, Prabhanu, Bhanumat, Chandra-bhanu, Vrihat-bhanu, Ati-bhanu, Sribhanu and Prati-bhanu.

_Jambavati had ten sons._ - Samva, Sumitra, Purujit, Satajit, Sahasrajit, Vijaya, Chitraketu, Vasumat, Dravida, and Kratu.

_Nagnajiti had ten sons._ - Vira, Chandra, Asva-sen, Chitragu, Vegavat, Vrisha, ama, Sanku, Vasu and Kunti.

_Kalindi had ten sons._ - Sruta, Kavi, Vrisha, Vira, Suvahu, Bhadra, Santi, Darsa, Purna Masa and Somaka.

_Madri had ten sons._ - Praghosha, Gatravat, Sinha, Bala, Prabala, Urdhaga, Mahasakti, Saha, Ojas and Aparajita.

_Mitravinda had ten Sons._ - Vrika, Harsha, Anila, Gridhra, Vardhana, Annada, Mahansa, Pavana, Vahni and Kshudhi.

_Bhadra had ten Sons._ - Sangramajit, Brihat Sena, Sura, Praharana, Arijit, Jaya, Subhadra, Rama, ayu and Satya.

Rohini (ill.u.s.trative of the 16 thousand wives) had Tamra-tapta and other sons.

Pradyumna had, by Rukmavati, daughter of Rukmin, one son Aniruddha.

There were millions and millions in the line of Krishna. Though Rukmin vowed enmity to Krishna, he gave his daughter to Krishna's son, out of regard for his own sister Rukmini.

Balavat son of Kritavarman married Charumati, daughter of Rukmini.

Rukmin also gave his grand-daughter Rochana in marriage to Aniruddha.

THE DEATH OF RUKMIN.

*SKANDHA X. CHAP. 61.*

Rama, Krishna, Pradyumna, Rukmini and others went to Bhoja Kata, the seat of Rukmin, on the occasion of Aniruddha's marriage. When the marriage was over, the a.s.sembled kings advised Rukmin to challenge Rama to a game of dice. At first, the wager was laid by Rama at one hundred, one thousand and ten thousand gold coins respectively. Rukmin won all the games. The king of Kalinga derided Rama by shewing his teeth. Rama did not like this.

Rukmin then laid the wager at one lakh of gold coins. Balarama won the game. But Rukmin falsely declared that he had won it.

Rama then laid the wager at ten krores. Rama won the game this time also. But Rukmin falsely said: - ”I have got it let the bystanders decide this.” At this time, a voice from the heavens said that Balarama had got the victory by fair means and Rukmin was telling a lie, But Rukmin under evil advice did not mind this. He and the kings derided Balarama. ”Keeper of cows, what know you of games? They are the province of kings.” Balarama could bear it no longer. He took his club and killed Rukmin. He then broke the teeth of the king of Kalinga. The other kings fled in fear.