Page:Wanderings of a Pilgrim Vol 2.djvu/431

 "In some period of Hindū history he was accidentally killed by a hunter, who left the body to rot under the tree where it fell. Some pious person, however, collected the bones of Krishn[)u], and placed them in a box, where they remained: a king, who was performing religious austerities, to obtain some favour of Vishn[)u], was directed by the latter to form the image of J[)u]g[)u]nnath[)u], and put into its belly these bones of Krishn[)u], by which means he should obtain the fruit of his religious austerities. The king inquired who should make this image; and was commanded to pray to Vishn[)u]-k[)u]rm[)u] the architect of the gods. He did so, and obtained his request; but the architect at the same time declared, that if any one disturbed him while preparing the image, he would leave it in an unfinished state. He then began, and in one night built a temple upon the blue mountain in Orissa, and proceeded to prepare the image in the temple; but the impatient king, after waiting fifteen days, went to the spot; on which the architect of the gods desisted from his work, and left the god without feet or hands. The king was very much disconcerted; but on praying to Br[)u]mha, he promised to make the image famous in its present shape. The king now invited all the gods to be present at the setting up of this image: Br[)u]mha himself acted as high priest, and gave eyes and a soul to the god, which completely established the fame of J[)u]g[)u]nnath[)u]. This image is said to lie in a pool near the present temple of J[)u]g[)u]nnath[)u] in Orissa." After many ceremonies have been performed within the temple, the god is drawn forth in his car; at the expiration of eight days he is conveyed back to the place from which he came. The festival is intended to celebrate the diversions of Krishn[)u] and the Gopīs, with whom he used to ride out in his chariot. The image of B[)u]l[)u]-Ram[)u] the brother of J[)u]g[)u]nnat'h[)u] almost always accompanies him. Some place the image of Rév[)u]tee by the side of her husband, B[)u]l[)u]-Ram[)u]; she was a singular personage, that maiden lady, for at the time of her marriage she was 3,888,000 years old! B[)u]l[)u]-Ram[)u] saw her for the first time when ploughing; notwithstanding her immense stature (which reached as high as a sound ascends in clapping the hands