THE LIFE OF CREESHNA. 



PART THE SECOND. 



W HEN Creeshna found that the eyes of Vasudeva and Devaci 

 were opened to his real character, as Perebrahme, or Universal 

 Lord, while there still remained so much to be performed by him 

 on that earth, which, as an Avatar, he had condescended to visit, 

 he again plunged them into forgetfulness. In consequence, they 

 once more thought him their son, and beheld him and Ram stand- 

 ing before them in a posture of the utmost respect. Creeshna now 

 began to bewail aloud the many evils to which they had been 

 exposed on 'his account : he lamented that they had not even en- 

 joyed the common gratification of parents in the company of their 

 own children, the care of their education having fallen to the lot 

 of Nanda and Yasodha. " Formerly," says he, " when men were 

 infinitely more long-lived, their whole existence on earth was pas- 

 sed in the service of their parents ; and now life is so short, your 

 maternal comforts, O Devaci ! have been, to my shame and regret, 

 abridged of that little, but I hope to obtain forgiveness from parental 

 commiseration." Thus did Ram and Creeshna comfort Vasudeva 

 and Devaci, who most heartily rejoiced in the sight of their chil- 

 dren, insomuch that even the milk started from the breast of 

 Devaci, throbbing with transport. After this, the crown of the city 

 and kingdom of Mathura was placed on the head of Ogur Sein, to 



