With deep reverence, Akrūra offered salutations to the Lord in His many wondrous forms. He bowed to the primal Fish who moved through the waters at the time of dissolution, and to the Horse-headed One, the slayer of Madhu and Kaitabha. He honored the vast, shoreless support of all, the lifter of Mandara mountain, and the Boar who delights in raising up the earth. With awe, he greeted the wondrous Lion, remover of the virtuous' fear, and Vāmana, who traversed the three worlds. He saluted the Lord of the Bhṛgus, destroyer of arrogant Kṣatriyas in the forest, and the best of the Raghus, the one who vanquished Rāvaṇa. Akrūra then offered salutations to Vāsudeva, to Saṅkarṣaṇa, to Pradyumna and Aniruddha, and to the Lord of the Sātvatas. He honored Buddha, the pure one who deludes the Daityas and Dānavas, and the mighty Kalki, destroyer of the impure and unrighteous rulers. He reflected, “O Lord, this world of living beings is bewildered by Your māyā. Grasping false notions of ‘I’ and ‘mine,’ we wander along the paths of karma. I, deluded, roam among the body, children, home, wealth, and relatives, mistaking them for reality, lost in dreamlike illusions. My mind, confused by opposites and immersed in darkness, does not know what is truly dear to my own self. Attached to impermanent, painful things, I am like one who leaves water hidden by vegetation and pursues a mirage. Turning away from You, I chase after illusions. Pitiable, struck by desires and actions, I cannot restrain my mind, which is carried away by the difficult-to-control senses. Thus, I have come to Your feet, which are hard for the unworthy to attain. Even this, I consider Your grace, O Lord. Liberation from the cycle of birth and death comes when the mind is devoted to proper worship of You, O Lotus-naveled One. Salutations to You who are pure consciousness, the cause of all certitude; to the Lord of Puruṣa and Pradhāna, to Brahman of infinite power. Salutations to Vāsudeva, destroyer of all beings; O Hṛṣīkeśa, protect me, who has surrendered to You.” Thus concluded the fortieth chapter, “Akrura’s Praise,” in the first half of the tenth book of the glorious Bhagavata Mahapurana, the scripture of the supreme renunciates. Śuka then spoke: As Akrūra offered his praises, the Lord revealed His divine form in the water. And then, like an actor ending his performance, Kṛṣṇa withdrew the vision. Seeing that the wondrous sight had vanished, Akrūra quickly emerged from the water, completed his necessary duties, and returned to the chariot, astonished. Hṛṣīkeśa asked him, “What wondrous thing did you see—on earth, in the sky, or in the water—that you appear so amazed?” Akrūra replied, “Whatever marvels exist—on earth, in the sky, or in the water—are all found in You, the soul of the universe. What could I have seen that is not already known to me? Wherever all wonders are found, seeing You, O Brahman, what marvel could I have witnessed here?” Having spoken thus, the son of Gāndinī urged the chariot onward. By the end of the day, he brought Rāma and Kṛṣṇa to Mathurā. Along the way, villagers gathered here and there, and, seeing the sons of Vasudeva, were filled with delight, unable to turn their gaze away. Meanwhile, the residents of Vraja, led by Nanda and the cowherds, arrived at the city’s gardens and waited there in anticipation. Meeting them, the Lord, master of the universe, greeted Akrūra, taking his extended hand in His own and smiling warmly. Kṛṣṇa said, “You should enter the city and your house ahead of us, accompanied by your chariot. We will remain here for now, and then come to see the city.” Akrūra replied, “O Lord, I will not enter Mathurā without You both. Do not abandon me, O master, for I am Your devotee and You are fond of Your devotees. Come, let us go to our homes and make them blessed, O Acyuta, together with Your elder brother, the cowherds, and Your dearest friends. Sanctify the homes of us householders with the dust of Your feet; by its purity, even the ancestors, the sacrificial fires, and the gods are never fully satisfied. After washing Your pair of feet, the great Bali became worthy of praise, attained incomparable prosperity, and the ultimate devoted path. The waters from washing Your feet purified the three worlds; Śiva placed them on his head, and the sons of Sagara ascended to heaven. O God of gods, Lord of the universe, whose hearing and praise are holy, O foremost among the Yadus, praised by the best of hymns, O Nārāyaṇa, I bow to You.” The Blessed Lord replied, “I will come to your house, accompanied by the noble ones. After slaying the wicked Yadu king, I will bring joy to my friends.” Śuka continued: Thus addressed by the Lord, Akrūra, though troubled in mind, entered the city, reported his task to Kaṃsa, and went to his house. In the afternoon, Lord Kṛṣṇa, accompanied by Saṅkarṣaṇa and surrounded by cowherds eager to see the city, entered Mathurā. He beheld the city with its lofty crystal gates, grand doorways adorned with golden arches, copper-plated walls, deep moats difficult to cross, and gardens and groves enhancing its beauty. The city was adorned with palaces crowned with golden spires and balconies, rows of assembly halls and mansions, and decorated with balustrades and altars inlaid with beryl, diamonds, spotless sapphires, coral, pearls, and emeralds. The latticed windows, doorways, and floors were filled with the sounds of pigeons and peacocks. The streets, markets, and crossroads were sprinkled with water and strewn with garlands, sandalwood powder, and rice grains. Doorways and houses were beautifully decorated with full pots anointed with yogurt and sandal paste, rows of flowers and lamps with tender leaves, clusters of plantain trees, and festoons with cloth banners. As the two sons of Vasudeva entered, surrounded by their friends and following the royal road, the women of the city, eager to see them, hurried forth and climbed the mansions, filled with excitement. Some, in their haste, put on their clothes and ornaments incorrectly; some forgot to finish dressing; some wore only one earring or one anklet; and others adorned only one eye with collyrium. Thus, the Lord entered Mathurā, bringing joy, wonder, and auspiciousness to all who beheld Him.