Arjuna, the mighty hero, found himself plunged into darkness and confusion after the departure of Lord Krishna. Yet, in that moment, he remembered the sacred wisdom sung by the Blessed Lord upon the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Recalling those divine teachings, Arjuna overcame the shadows of time, fate, and delusion that had clouded his heart. Freed from sorrow, he attained the serene state of Brahman—his doubts and sense of duality were cut away. Merged in a nature beyond the modes of material existence, Arjuna relinquished all identification with the body, transcending the cycle of birth. Meanwhile, King Yudhiṣṭhira, his mind composed and steady, heard of the Lord’s departure from this world and the destruction of the Yadu dynasty. Recognizing the signs of the end of an age, he resolved to follow the path that leads to the higher realms. Kuntī, their revered mother Pṛthā, also heard from Arjuna about these sorrowful events. With unwavering devotion, she fixed her mind solely upon the transcendent Lord and, withdrawing from the cycle of birth and death, attained liberation. The Lord, who had lightened the burden of the earth, the unborn and eternal One, abandoned His earthly form just as a thorn is removed by another and both are cast aside. Like an actor who assumes and then discards many roles—such as that of a fish or others—He who had delivered the world relinquished His manifest body. When Mukunda, the Blessed Lord, departed from this earth, taking with Him His auspicious form, the age of Kali—source of unrighteousness—entered at once, exerting its influence over those whose minds were not awakened. Yudhiṣṭhira, wise and discerning, observed the advance of Kali everywhere: in his city, his kingdom, his household, and even within himself, manifesting as greed, falsehood, and violence. Realizing the time had come, he prepared to depart from this world. He saw in his grandson, Parīkṣit, one equal in virtue and discipline, and so installed him as lord of the earth at Hastināpura, on the sacred banks of the Ganges. In Mathurā, he installed Vajra as chief of the Śūrasenas, and then, performing the proper rites, he drank the sacrificial fire, the ancient act of renunciation. Having relinquished all attachments—relatives, followers, and possessions—Yudhiṣṭhira became utterly free from possessiveness and ego, severing every bond. He offered his speech into his mind, his mind into his breath, and the other senses into darkness; his outgoing breath he offered into death, thus entering the state of dissolution. The five elements he merged one into another, then into unity, and finally offered everything into the Self, and the Self into the imperishable Brahman. Clad in bark, fasting, with matted hair bound and head uncovered, he appeared as if dull, mad, or possessed, revealing his true renounced form. Indifferent to all around him, he departed silently, hearing nothing like one deaf, and entered the northern path, as the great souls had done before him—meditating on the Supreme Brahman in his heart, from which there is no return. All his brothers, firm in their resolve, followed him, for the world had been afflicted by Kali, the friend of unrighteousness. Having fulfilled all their duties virtuously and knowing the ultimate goal of the self, they fixed their minds on the lotus feet of the Lord of Vaikuṇṭha. With unwavering devotion and purified intellect, their hearts remained solely fixed on that supreme abode of Nārāyaṇa. Thus, they attained that exceedingly rare state, which cannot be reached by those attached to sense objects and impurity, but is gained only by the pure soul. Vidura too, at Prabhāsa, renounced his body, absorbed his mind in Kṛṣṇa, and, united in consciousness with his forefathers, went to his own abode. Draupadī, perceiving the detachment of her husbands, fixed her mind exclusively on Lord Vāsudeva, the Blessed One, and attained the same exalted state. Whoever faithfully hears this sacred account of the departure of Pāṇḍu’s beloved sons—most purifying and auspicious—attains devotion to Hari and perfection. After their passing, Sūta continued: Parīkṣit, the great devotee, ruled the earth according to the instructions of the foremost brāhmaṇas, just as expert guides direct a noble child at birth. He married Irāvatī, the daughter of Uttara, and from her begot four sons, the eldest being Janamejaya. He performed three great Aśvamedha sacrifices on the banks of the Ganges, giving abundant gifts, with Śāradvata as his priest—sacrifices so splendid that even the gods became visible. Once, during his conquest of the directions, the heroic king seized Kali, who, though disguised as a king, was truly a śūdra, and was striking a cow and a bull with his foot. At this, the sage Śaunaka inquired: For what reason did Parīkṣit capture Kali during his conquest? Who was this śūdra in royal guise, who struck the cow with his foot? Please tell us, if it relates to the stories of Kṛṣṇa, for what use are other fruitless talks to those devoted to the Lord’s lotus feet? Mortal men, whose lives are short and wasted in sleep and vain activities, should drink only the nectar of Hari’s pastimes, which brings immortality. Sūta replied: When Parīkṣit, residing in the land of the Kurus, heard the unwelcome news that Kali had entered his kingdom, the valiant archer took up his bow. He mounted his splendid chariot, yoked with dark horses and bearing the lion banner, and, surrounded by his army of chariots, horses, elephants, and infantry, set out to conquer the four directions. He subdued Bhadrāśva, Ketumāla, Bhārata, the northern Kurus, Kimpuruṣa, and other regions, collecting tribute from them. He conquered cities and forests, pure rivers, men resembling the gods, and women of pleasing appearance. Dhanañjaya beheld wondrous sights never seen before—splendid dwellings and women like celestial nymphs. Everywhere he went, he heard the glories of his noble ancestors being sung—praises that revealed the greatness of Krishna. He also heard of how he himself had been saved from the fiery weapon of Ashvatthāman, of the affection between the Vṛṣṇis and the sons of Pāṇḍu, and of their devotion to Keśava. Greatly pleased, his eyes wide with joy, the noble-hearted Parīkṣit bestowed abundant wealth, garments, and necklaces upon the people. This king, devoted to the lotus feet of Viṣṇu, served the Pāṇḍavas with affection—acting as their charioteer, companion, attendant, friend, envoy, and sharing their valor—following them, praising and bowing to them, and in so doing, brought the world to bow before Viṣṇu.