The sons of Pāṇḍu, having fulfilled all their duties, prepared to depart from this world. Yudhiṣṭhira, their eldest, was clad in bark garments, fasting, with his matted hair bound and his head uncovered. In this austere state, he seemed dull, mad, or possessed, yet this was but a revelation of his true renunciation. Indifferent to all worldly affairs, he left, not responding even as if deaf, and set forth upon the northern path, as the great souls had done before him. His mind was absorbed in meditation on the Supreme Brahman, the ultimate reality, from which there is no return. His brothers, resolute and firm in their purpose, followed him, for the earth was afflicted by the age of Kali, the friend of unrighteousness. Having completed all their obligations with virtue and knowing the ultimate goal of the self, they fixed their minds upon the lotus feet of the Lord of Vaikuṇṭha. With unwavering devotion and purified intellect, their minds were absorbed solely in the supreme abode of Nārāyaṇa. Thus, they attained that exceedingly rare state, unreachable by those attached to sense objects and impurity, but 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 that same supreme state. This account of the departure of the beloved sons of Pāṇḍu, when heard faithfully, purifies and brings auspiciousness, granting devotion to Hari and perfection to the listener. After their departure, Sūta continued: Parīkṣit, the great devotee, ruled the earth according to the guidance of the foremost brāhmaṇas, just as wise guardians nurture a noble child from birth. He married Irāvatī, the daughter of Uttara, and from her begot four sons, beginning with Janamejaya. Parīkṣit performed three grand Aśvamedha sacrifices on the banks of the Gaṅgā, giving abundant gifts, with Śāradvata as his priest, where even the gods became visible. Once, during his conquest of the directions, the heroic king encountered Kali, who, disguised as a king but actually a śūdra, was striking a cow and a bull with his foot. Śaunaka, eager to know more, asked: “For what reason did the king capture Kali during his conquest? Who was this śūdra, bearing royal insignia, who struck the cow with his foot? Please tell us, if it relates to the stories of Kṛṣṇa. For those devoted to the nectar of the Lord’s lotus feet, what use are other fruitless talks, which only waste the span of life?” He continued, “For mortal men of short life who desire immortality, the Lord, as Death, has been invited here by the sage Śāmīka. No one dies as long as Death remains here; for this reason, the Lord was called by the great sages. Oh, let the nectar of Hari’s pastimes be drunk in the world of men! In this age, people are slow, of dull intelligence, and short-lived; their nights are wasted in sleep, and their days in vain activities.” 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 well-adorned 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 directions. He subdued Bhadrāśva, Ketumāla, Bhārata, the northern Kurus, and the regions of Kimpuruṣa and others, collecting tribute from them. He conquered cities and forests, rivers with pure waters, men resembling the gods, and women of pleasing appearance. Dhanañjaya beheld wondrous sights never seen before, splendid dwellings, and women resembling 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 was 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 with the people, his eyes wide with joy, the noble-hearted king gave them abundant wealth, garments, and necklaces. The king, devoted to the lotus feet of Viṣṇu, served the Pāṇḍavas with affection—acting as charioteer, companion, attendant, friend, envoy, sharing their valor, following them, praising and bowing to them, and thus brought the world to bow before Viṣṇu. While Parīkṣit was thus engaged, following the conduct of his forebears day by day, a marvelous event occurred not far away. Listen as I recount it. Dharma, moving on one foot, saw the Earth, her shadow diminished, weeping like a cow separated from her calf, and questioned her: “O gentle one, is all well with you? Why do you appear so pale and withered? I perceive some inner sorrow in you—are you grieving for a distant relative, O mother? Are you grieving for your missing limb, for yourself about to be consumed by the wicked, or for the gods whose shares of sacrifice have been stolen, or for the people, since Indra no longer sends rain? Are you mourning for women and children left unprotected on earth, suffering at the hands of cruel men? Or for the sacred speech of the goddess, corrupted in the brahmin class, or for the noble families degraded by unrighteous kings? Is it for the kṣatriya clans afflicted by Kali, or for the kingdoms they have ruined? Or for the people who wander here and there, seeking food, drink, shelter, and baths, their livelihoods disrupted? Or, O mother, do you remember the deeds performed by Hari, who incarnated to relieve your heavy burden, but has now departed, delaying your deliverance? Tell me, O Earth, what is the root of your distress, by which you have been afflicted. Has your good fortune, worshipped by the gods, been taken away by Time, the strongest of the strong?” The Earth replied: “You indeed know all that you ask me about, O Dharma, for you uphold the four legs that bring happiness to the world. Truth, purity, compassion, forgiveness, renunciation, contentment, straightforwardness, tranquility, self-control, austerity, equanimity, forbearance, withdrawal, and learning—knowledge, detachment, lordliness, heroism, brilliance, strength, memory, independence, skill, beauty, courage, and gentleness—boldness, humility, good conduct, endurance, vigor, strength, prosperity, depth, steadiness, faith, fame, honor, and absence of pride—all these and other great qualities, O blessed one, ever reside in you; those who desire greatness seek them, for they never diminish in you.