________________
278
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[OCTOBER, 1896.
Such as have never been dreamt of, whose names are not even known: bring such with
you, shaking off sloth. Let them be beyond the conception of Brahma himself ... ...20" 450 Saying this, the Lord of Lakshmi proceeded on his way and arrived hither, bringing with
him numberless bundles. Seeing the distress of his worshipper Narsinh, the Ancient One started up and rushed
(to his help). The Lord of the strong bow was dressed as a merchant and Lakshmi as a merchant's wife. The son of Nand had his eagle with him, who carried the bundles on his head. Sri Gopal was seated in a chariot, and the air resounded with the tread of the bullocks
and the jingling of their bells. 455 The people did not recognise the Lord of the Universe' as he went on with some ten or
twenty servants. Every one wondered who he was, as the god entered the maydap. When the mace-bearers cried," Make way," the Nagar community came forth to see (And said): "This is some rich merchant that has come, bringing a great many bundles."
But nobody knew the Lord of the Three Worlds, since he was dressed as a vanil.31 460 Alighting from his chariot, Hari walked amongst the assembled guests. The god whom all the six orders of devotees cannot even discover, and whom the hus.
band of Umiya (himself) adores; Whom no amount of knowledge or meditation or devotion could reveal: such a god went
barefooted (through the assemblage). The great King of the Fourteen Worlds is turned into a draper for the Mehta's sake. His coat is sprinkled over with saffron water, and his turban wrapped with oblique folds
(like a Vâņia's). 465 He wears ear-ornaments studded with diamonds, and the lines at his eyes reach his very
ears.32 He has thrust a pen at the back of his ear, and has taken the name of Dâmðdar the
draper. His robe is of fine and yet rich cloth, and Hart walks slowly along. On his shonlders the god has a plaid, the two ends of which he holds in his hands.
All the ten fingers are full of rings, and his feet are entirely covered with socks. 470 He has a number of servants with him, some of whom carry pouches. Many servants are round him to do his bidding, Odhav33 carrying his goj-measures for
him. Kamali Rant walks behind the god, and all eyes are fixed on the béthúm.36 The pride of the Nagar women is humbled, for the lady's appearance is like that of the
moon and the sun, The bright head-ornament greatly becoming the beautiful forehead,
And a diamond bracelet glistening on her wrist. 475 Her large eyes beam with intelligence, sparkling like a number of khanjan birds canght in
a net. The crescent of her (upper) lip is coral-red, and the braided hair on her head abundant. She has on armlets and necklets, and strings (of pearls) and a most glistening nose-ring. Her waist is jingling with small bells, worn over her many coloured säri.
The anklets on her fair feet look resplendent, while the bells on her toes jingle as she goes. 480 The arms are covered with bangles : Mercy herself has come in the guise of a merchant's
wife.
» Half line seems to be missing here.
* A different epithet of the god is used in each line. 31 Tira, a member of the trading class.
» The black lines of beauty drawn with kijal. - Odhaya was a friend and constant companion of Krishna 4 The gaj-measure is about t of a yard.
* Fem. of seth, a rich man.
