d by Bana. An engagement ensues. Krishna, Baladeva,
and Pradyumna coming to the aid of the prince, the day is going ill with
Bana, when Kartikeya, Ganesha, and Siva and Chandi come to his succour.
Notwithstanding the presence of his allies, Bana has all his thousand
arms cut off by Krishna except four. Siva advances to the aid of his
votary, when a combat ensues between the gods which combat Brahma
descends to arrest. The gods embrace one another. Parvati and Brahma
support Bana to make his submission.

Vishnu declares he is less sensible of the wounds inflicted by Bana,
than of the regret he feels at his presumption in contending with Siva.
The latter consoles him by telling him he only did a warrior's duty, and
that military prowess is independent of all motives of love or hatred.

Parvati then brings Usha to the spot, and by her desire, and that of
Siva, Bana gives his daughter to Aniruddha. Siva then elevates him to
the rank of one of his attendants, under the name of Mahakala.

SRIDAMA CHARITA.

Poverty and Folly are sent by Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, to assail
Sridama, the early companion and fellow-student of Krishna, who has
become obnoxious to the goddess for his attachment to Saraswati; the
goddess of learning. They effect their purpose with Sridama, by
demanding the rites of hospitality, and being accordingly admitted into
his dwelling.

Sridama is persuaded by his wife, Vasumati, who has seen a propitious
dream, to repair to Krishna, to see if his opulent friend will restore
his broken fortunes. He takes with him a handful of rice, dried and
cleaned after boiling, as a present. He arrives at the palace of
Krishna, where he is received with great respect by the host and his two
principal wives, Rukmini and Satyabhama; the former washes his feet, the
latter wipes them, and Krishna sprinkles the remaining water upon his
own head. After recalling some of the occurrences of their juvenile
days, when they were fellow-students, Krishna leads his friend into the
garden, where they remain till towards sunset; when they are summoned to
join the queens and their attendants. Krishna indulges in frolics among
his women. The buffoonery of the Vidushaka amuses the party.

After some time spent in this manner, Sridama takes his leave, and
although dismissed with great reverence, departs as poor as he came. He
recollects this on his way back, and consoles himself with observing
that wealth intoxicates as w