Once, in the ancient city of Mathura, a great upheaval took place. Bharata, acting on the command of Rama, destroyed the city and, with sharp arrows, slew three crores of the sons of the actor. This actor was a wicked Gandharva who dwelled on the banks of the Sindhu river; his sons, Taksha and Pushkara, were left behind in those lands. Bharata, accompanied by Shatrughna, went forth in honor of Raghava, who remained behind. Rama, having vanquished the wicked in battle, protected the remaining people with justice and righteousness. In time, Rama’s two illustrious sons, Kusha and Lava, were born in the hermitage of Valmiki. Though Sita was abandoned due to public reproach, the noble conduct of her sons became renowned. After installing Kusha and Lava in the kingdom, Rama devoted himself to deep meditation on Brahman, reflecting, “I am He,” and spent ten thousand and ten hundred years in this contemplation. Agni then spoke, recounting the lineage of Hari, the Lord born from the lotus-navel of Vishnu. From Brahma came Atri, then Soma, and from Soma was born Pururavas. Pururavas begot Ayu, then Nahusha, and then Yayati. From Yayati came Yadu and Turvasu, and from them was born Devayani. Druhyu, Anu, and Puru were also born, along with Sharmishtha, daughter of Vrishaparvan. Among the descendants of Yadu were the Yadavas, with Vasudeva as the foremost. To relieve the earth of its burden, Vasudeva and Devaki bore six sons, who were the children of Hiranyakashipu, brought by Yogamaya. By Vishnu’s power, these souls were long ago led into Devaki’s womb. The seventh embryo from Devaki’s womb was transferred into Rohini and became known as Balarama, or Rauhineya. Then, on the eighth day of the dark fortnight, at midnight, the four-armed one, Krishna, was born. Devaki and Vasudeva praised their two-armed child. Out of fear of Kamsa, Vasudeva carried Krishna to Yashoda’s bed. He then took Yashoda’s daughter and placed her on Devaki’s bed. When Kamsa heard the cry of the child, he dashed her upon a stone. Yet, she, the eighth embryo of Devaki, was destined to be his death in the form of a child. Hearing Agni’s bodiless voice, Kamsa killed the embryos that had been given to Devaki at the time of her marriage. But the girl, when hurled, spoke to Kamsa from the sky: “Why do you cast me down, Kamsa? The one who is born to slay you has already come; he is the very essence of the gods, come to relieve the burden of the earth.” Having spoken thus, she—praised by Indra after slaying Sumbha and others—is Arya, Durga, the womb of the Vedas, Ambika, and Bhadrakali. She is Bhadra, Kshomya, Kshema-kari, of many arms; whoever recites her name at the three junctions of the day attains all desires. Kamsa, desperate, sent Putana and others to kill the child. Yashoda and Nanda, entrusted by Vasudeva, cared for Krishna. Out of fear, and for their protection, Rama and Krishna dwelled in Gokula, moving among the cows and cowherd boys. These two, protectors of the world, became cowherds. Krishna was bound to a mortar by Yashoda with a rope as she attended her tasks. He crawled between the twin Arjuna trees, breaking them, and overturned the cart with his foot as he sought his mother’s breast. Putana, who came to kill him, was slain as she nursed him. Krishna, having gone to Vrindavana, subdued Kaliya in the Yamuna lake. After defeating and driving out Kaliya, he was praised for his strength and made Talavana safe by slaying Dhenuka, the ass-demon. He killed Arishta, the bull-demon, and Keshi, who took the form of a horse. Krishna abandoned the Indra festival and initiated the cowherds’ sacrifice. By lifting Govardhana mountain, he stopped the rain sent by Indra. Mahendra then worshipped Govinda and offered him to Arjuna. Krishna, pleased, caused the Indra festival to be performed again. Riding in a chariot, Krishna went to Mathura, praised by Akrura as instructed by Kamsa. The loving Gopis gazed upon him and played with him. Krishna defeated the washerman who refused him and took the garments. With Rama, he wore a garland and granted a boon to the garland-maker. He straightened the hunchbacked woman who had anointed him and killed the elephant at the gate. Entering the arena, Krishna confronted the intoxicated Kuvalayapida at the entrance. In the presence of Kamsa and others seated on the platform, he engaged in wrestling. Krishna fought with Chanura, while Balarama fought with Mushtika. Both Chanura and Mushtika, sons of Jarasandha, were slain, as were other wrestlers. Jarasandha, upon hearing of their deaths, besieged Mathura and fought with the Yadavas for Kamsa’s sake. Rama and Krishna, leaving Mathura, went to Gomanta. They defeated Jarasandha in battle and overcame Paundraka Vasudeva. Krishna established the city of Dvaraka and dwelt there, surrounded by the Yadavas. After slaying Bhauma, he brought the maidens from there. Janardana married these maidens, who were from the gods, Gandharvas, and Yakshas. There were sixteen thousand wives, beginning with Rukmini, and eight others. Joined by Satyabhama, the subduer of Naraka, Hari went to Mani mountain on Garuda. Having conquered Indra, he took the jewel from heaven and brought the Parijata tree, placing it in Satyabhama’s house. Krishna learned the science of weapons from Sandipani and returned his son to him. He defeated the demon Panchajana and was highly honored by Yama. Krishna slew Kalayavana and was honored by Mucukunda. He honored Vasudeva, Devaki, and the devoted Brahmanas. Balabhadra and Revati, after performing a sacrifice, prepared for departure. From Krishna, Samba was born from Jambavati, and other sons from other wives. Pradyumna was born from Rukmini, but on the sixth day after his birth, he was forcibly taken away. Thus, the divine lineage and wondrous deeds of Hari, born from the lotus-navel of Vishnu, were revealed, bringing forth a tapestry of valor, devotion, and the fulfillment of dharma.