Indifferent to all external matters, Yudhiṣṭhira, resolute and serene, departed from his royal life. Without heeding the calls or laments around him, as if he heard nothing at all, he set out on the northern path, just as the great souls before him had done. His heart absorbed in meditation on the Supreme Brahman, from which there is no return, he walked onward, leaving behind the world of men. Seeing his determination, all his brothers—Bhīma, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva—resolved firmly to follow him. The age of Kali, the friend of unrighteousness, had touched the earth, afflicting its people, and the time for the Pāṇḍavas to depart had come. Having fulfilled every duty with virtue and wisdom, and understanding the highest purpose of the self, they fixed their minds upon the lotus feet of the Lord of Vaikuṇṭha. With unwavering devotion and purified intellect, they meditated solely upon that supreme abode of Nārāyaṇa. Thus, they attained that most rare state, unreachable by those who remain attached to sense pleasures and impurity, but gained only by the pure in heart. Vidura, too, at Prabhāsa, renounced his body, his mind absorbed in thoughts of Kṛṣṇa. In that state, united in consciousness with his forefathers, he went to his own eternal abode. Draupadī, the noble queen, perceiving the detachment of her husbands, turned her mind exclusively to Lord Vāsudeva, the Blessed One. In this way, she too attained that supreme state. Whoever faithfully hears this account of the departure of the beloved sons of Pāṇḍu—so purifying and auspicious—surely gains devotion to Hari and attains perfection. Sūta continued: After their departure, Parīkṣit, the great devotee, ruled the earth, guided by the foremost brāhmaṇas, just as expert guardians guide a noble child from birth. He married Irāvatī, daughter of Uttara, and from her had four sons, the eldest being Janamejaya. Parīkṣit performed three great Aśvamedha sacrifices on the banks of the Gaṅgā, with the sage Śāradvata as his priest. He gave abundant gifts, and the gods themselves became visible at these sacred rites. Once, during his conquests in all directions, the heroic king came upon Kali, who, though disguised as a king, was in truth a śūdra. Kali was striking a cow and a bull with his foot. Parīkṣit seized him at once. At this, Śaunaka inquired, “For what reason did the king capture Kali during his conquest? Who was this śūdra, bearing royal insignia, who struck the cow? O blessed one, please tell us if this relates to the stories of Kṛṣṇa. For those devoted to the nectar of the Lord’s lotus feet, what use are other fruitless talks that only waste our short lives?” He continued, “O gentle one, for mortal men who desire immortality, the Lord, as Death, has been invited here by the sage Śāmīka. As long as Death remains here, no one dies; thus the Lord was called by the sages. Let the nectar of Hari’s pastimes be drunk in the world of men! In this age, people are slow, dull of intelligence, and short-lived; their nights wasted in sleep, their days in vain activities.” Sūta resumed: 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—chariots, horses, elephants, and infantry—set out to conquer all directions. He subdued the lands of Bhadrāśva, Ketumāla, Bhārata, the northern Kurus, Kimpuruṣa, and many others, collecting tribute from each. He conquered cities and forests, pure rivers, men as splendid as gods, and women of enchanting beauty. Everywhere he went, he beheld wondrous sights—splendid dwellings and women resembling celestial nymphs. In those places, and elsewhere, he heard the glories of his noble ancestors being sung—praises that revealed the greatness of Kṛṣṇa. He also heard of how he himself was saved from the fiery weapon of Ashvatthāman, of the deep affection between the Vṛṣṇis and the Pāṇḍavas, and of their devotion to Keśava. Greatly pleased, his eyes wide with joy, Parīkṣit bestowed abundant wealth, garments, and necklaces upon the people. The king, devoted to the lotus feet of Viṣṇu, served the Pāṇḍavas with love—acting as their charioteer, companion, attendant, friend, envoy, sharing their valor, following them, praising and bowing to them—thus bringing the world to bow before Viṣṇu. While thus engaged, following the noble conduct of his forebears day by day, a marvelous event occurred not far away. Hear now as I recount it. Dharma, personified and moving on only one foot, saw the Earth, her shadow diminished, weeping like a cow separated from her calf. Dharma approached and questioned her gently: “O gentle one, is all well with you? Why do you appear so pale and withered? I sense sorrow within you—are you grieving for a distant relative, O mother? “Are you troubled for your missing limb, for yourself about to be consumed by the wicked, or for the gods whose sacrificial shares have been stolen, or for the people, since Indra no longer sends rain? Are you mourning for the women and children left unprotected, suffering at the hands of cruel men? Or for the sacred speech of the goddess, corrupted among the brāhmaṇas, 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, “O Dharma, you know all that you ask me, 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 ever reside in you. Those who desire greatness seek them, for they never diminish in you. “Therefore, I grieve now for the world, bereft of the presence of Śrīnivāsa, the worthy vessel of all virtues, and afflicted by the sinful gaze of Kali.