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and set out for Mathura Creeshna on hearing it, said to Ram, 

 that, as he was come for the purpose of lightening the burthens of 

 the earth and punishing the wicked, he would slay Jarasandha, but 

 not at that time, having other affairs to transact of more immediate 

 importance. In the mean time, there descended from heaven two 

 carriages, the shining of whose jewellery was like the splendor of 

 the stars, and in each carriage was a collection of various kinds of 

 arms. Creeshna looked towards Ram, and asked his advice, as 

 they two were the only protectors of the Yadavas, and as it was 

 necessary to lighten the overburthened earth of Jarasandha's army. 

 Creeshna then ascended one of the carriages, and made Dareke his 

 driver, while Ram mounted the other carriage. Taking with him a 

 few chosen troops, Creeshna sounded the dreadful shell Pancha- 

 janya, whose roar re-echoed from earth to heaven, and both went 

 to meet Jarasandha, whose army was affrighted and confounded 

 with the sound of that wonderful instrument. But Jarasandha 

 himself, advancing before his army to the sound of trumpets and 

 clarions, exclaimed, " O Creeshna ! it is improper for me to meet 

 you in battle, since I know you to be invincible by any hostile 

 weapon of mine. How, therefore, can I possibly, on any equal 

 ground, engage with you, since the very attempt to combat with 

 an Avatar must infallibly draw down upon me a severe and just 

 punishment. I will fight Balhadur. Now, therefore, O Balhadur ! 

 take care ; for, with a single arrow, I shall dispatch your mighty 

 spirit to Deva Loke." Creeshna desired Jarasandha not to praise 

 himself, as he and Ram knew not each others strength ; and where- 

 fore did he glory, since his relation Cansa had just obtained the 

 merited fruits of his baseness ? Jarasandha now became violently 

 enraged, and overwhelmed Creeshna and Ram with a shower of 

 arrows, like the sun in a cloud. The women of Mathura stood on 

 their balconies anxious spectators of the battle : when Creeshna was 

 Vol. in. C 



