Page:History of Bengali Language and Literature.djvu/582

 544. BENGALI LANGUAGE & LITERATURE. [ Chap, cribe ; it is the scene of Prabhasa. Krishna who was a shepherd boy has killed Kamsa and is now the king of Mathura; no more the crown of peacock ৭ feathers on his head, but a diadem sparkling with the richest jewels,—no more the rod Pachanbari in his hand to drive the cattle, but the sceptre to rule,— and no more playing the flute to madden poor Radha but playing with the fate of millions of his subjects. The Vrindavana scenes are forgotten. He has found his parents, Vasudeva and Daivaki; and cares not to hear that Nanda and Yacoda have grown blind with weeping for him. The shepherd boys no longer tend the cattle on the banks of the Jumna as in Krisna’s time—they cannot bear the sight of the Vrinda groves. Radha’s body is carried into the waters of the Jumng and her maids know. that in a few moments all will be over with her. At this time, the Dhanuryayna or sacrifice of the bow is held in Mathura in the field of Prabhasa by Krisna. All the world is invited to attend it, but he does not invite the people of the Vrinda groves. Nanda and Yacgoda hear of the sacrifice and so do the shepherds. Uninvited they go, for they cannot bear separation from him any longer. The gate-keepers prevent them from having an interview with the king. Yacgoda im- portunes them at every gate to be allowed to have a sight of her dear Krisna, but the gate-keepers take her to be a mad woman and will not allow her to pass into the Royal presence. Struck with grief Yacoda falls to the ground sighing in a manner which rends the heart to behold. Suddenly in the sreat hall Krishna with the Svruka—the golden sacri-. ficial cup—reciting mantras falters in his speech;