Bâna returned to the charge. Krishna began to cut off his hands with the Chakra. Śiva appeared at the time and asked Krishna to forgive Bâna as he had forgiven his father Bali. Krishna replied: — "O Lord, I cannot kill this son of Bali. I promised Prahlâda that I would not kill any of his line. His many hands caused grief to Earth and I have lopped them off. Now four hands shall only remain. With these hands, Bâna shall be thy constant companion, without fear of death or infirmity." Bâna bowed down his head. He made over his daughter and Aniruddha to Krishna. 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, but 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 Ikshvâku. My charities knew no bounds and they have become proverbial. One cow belonging to a Brâhmana got mixed with my herd and, without knowing that, I gave her to another Brâhmana. While he was taking away the cow, the owner found her out. The two Brâhmanas 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 Yâma came and carried me away. Yâma 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 Brâhmana’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 Brâhmana’s property, consciously or unconsciously. BALARÂMA AND THE DRAWING OF THE YAMUNÂ. *SKANDHA X. CHAP. 65.*