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by outward circumstances, and, mistaking evil for good, becomes 

 forgetful of thee ; but he who knows and remembers thee is free from 

 all error. We, too, ignorant and short-sighted mortals knew not 

 thy truth, but thought Jarasandha the chief and head of the king- 

 doms of the earth ; but now we are better acquainted with thy 

 mighty and miraculous acts, and that thou wert born in the world 

 to protect the good and punish the wicked. We, therefore, are 

 also under thy protection, and our loss of honour falls on thee. 

 Our faults and crimes doubtless are many, but look not on them 

 while we are under misfortune ; consider thy own name, which is 

 THE PARDONER !" After the messenger had uttered this, and much 

 more to the same purpose, Creeshna comforted and dismissed him. 

 In the mean time Nared came into his presence, with his Veena in 

 his hand, calling on the name of Narayen. Creeshna immediately 

 rose from his throne, saluted him with great respect, and placed 

 him in the seat of honour. Nared then played so delightfully on 

 his instrument as to ravish all the hearers. When he had finished, 

 Creeshna demanded of him news of the Pandoos, and how they 

 fared under the tyranny and oppression of Doorjoodhen ? Nared 

 answered, " O my lord ! with what astonishment am I seized to 

 hear thee ask news of the Pandoos ! What being is there in the 

 circle of existence of whom Shree-Creeshna has not the most com- 

 plete knowledge ? But as thou hast had the condescension to ask 

 for information, I am bound to impart it. O Creeshna ! at present 

 the Pandoos, relying on thy benevolence, entertain a design to ce- 

 lebrate the Raisoo-Yug ;* but, for myself, I am amazed to think 

 where they will be able to make the arrangements for so grand a 

 festival. Yet there are very many rajahs assembled in Hastanapoor, 

 whose expectations are all turned towards Dwaraka. Now, since 



* The Raisoo-Yug, or feast of rajah's, could only be performed by a monarch who had con- 

 quered all the other sovereigns of the world. 



