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----- bhagap331.html
NRIGA.
SKANDHA X. CHAP, 64.
The sons of Krishna went out to play in the forest. They
saw a huge lizard in a certain well. They tried all means, bat could
not raise it up. They then informed Krishna. He raised it, without
effort, with his left hand. The lizard assumed the form of a Deva.
On inquiry from Krishna, he thus related his own story. " I am
king Nriga of the line of Ikshvaku. My charities knew no bounds and
they have become proverbial. One cow belonging to a Brahmana
got mixed with my herd and, without knowing that, I gave her to
another Brahmana. While he was taking away the cow, the owner
found her out. The two Brahmanas quarrelled and they came to me.
They said: "You are a giver as well as taker." I became surprised
and, when the facts were known, I offered one lakh of cows for the
return of the mistaken cow. One of them however said, " I am.
not going to take a gift from the king." The other said: "I do not
wish for other cows even if they be ten lakhs." They both went
away. At this time the messengers of Yama came and carried me
away. Yama said: "I see no end of your merits and the places
acquired by them. Do you prefer to suffer for your demerit first or
to enjoy those heavenly things?" I took the first choice and down I fell
as a lizard into this well. Look how I have suffered for taking a
Brahmana's property." The king then thanked Krishna for his favor
and ascended to the heavens. Krishna gave a discourse to those around
him as to how iniquitous it was to take a Brahmana's property, con-
sciously or unconsciously.
BALARAMA AND THE DRAWING OF THE YAMUNA.
SKANDHA X. CHAP. 65.
Balarama went to Vrindavana to see his old friends. The
Gopas and Gopis gave him a warm reception and they complained of
the hard-heartedness of Krishna. Balarama remained there for the two-
months, Chaitra and Vaisakha. The Gopa girls used to join him at
night. One day he went in their company to the side of the Yamuna.
Fermented juice (Varuni) fell from the trees, as directed by Varuna.
Balarama drank the juice with the Gopa girls and became intoxicated.
He called the Yamuna to his side for a pleasure bath, but she did not
came. Balaram thought he was drunk and therefore the river goddess
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