With deep reverence, Akrūra bowed his head and offered salutations to the Lord—He who is revered by the Bhṛgus, the mighty destroyer of the arrogant Kṣatriyas in the forest. He honored the best of the Raghus, the one who vanquished Rāvaṇa, and with heartfelt devotion, Akrūra saluted Vāsudeva, Saṅkarṣaṇa, Pradyumna, and Aniruddha, the Lord of the Sātvatas. Akrūra’s praise continued, as he offered homage to Buddha, the pure one who beguiles the Daityas and Dānavas, and to the form of Kalki, destroyer of the impure and unrighteous rulers. “O Lord,” he prayed, “the world is bewildered by Your divine māyā. All living beings, deluded by the notions of ‘I’ and ‘mine,’ wander endlessly along the tangled paths of karma.” He confessed his own confusion: “I too, O Lord, am lost among the illusions of body, children, home, wealth, and kin—mistaking these fleeting dreams for reality. My mind, clouded by dualities and darkness, cannot discern what is truly dear to my deepest self, clinging instead to impermanent and painful things. Like a thirsty man forsaking hidden water to chase a mirage, so do I, turning away from You, pursue empty illusions.” Akrūra lamented his helplessness: “My pitiable mind, battered by desires and deeds, is swept away by unruly senses, impossible to restrain. Thus, I have come to Your feet—rarely attained by the unworthy. Even this I know is by Your grace, O Lord. True liberation from birth and death comes only when the mind is steadfastly devoted to You, the Lotus-naveled One.” He concluded his prayer with further salutations: “Homage to You, pure consciousness, source of all certainty; Lord of Puruṣa and Pradhāna, Brahman of infinite power. Salutations to Vāsudeva, destroyer of all beings. O Hṛṣīkeśa, I surrender—protect me, O Lord!” Thus ended Akrūra’s heartfelt praise, closing the fortieth chapter, known as “Akrūra’s Praise,” in the first half of the tenth book of the glorious Bhāgavata Mahāpurāṇa, the scripture of supreme renunciates. At this moment, Śuka continued, as Akrūra offered his prayers, the Lord revealed His wondrous form in the water. Yet, as an actor concludes his performance, Kṛṣṇa withdrew the vision as swiftly as He had bestowed it. Akrūra, astonished by this divine revelation, quickly emerged from the water, completed his necessary ablutions, and returned to the chariot, his heart brimming with amazement. Perceiving Akrūra’s wonder, Hṛṣīkeśa inquired, “What marvelous sight did you behold—on earth, in the sky, or in the water—that has left you so amazed?” Akrūra replied, “O Soul of the Universe, whatever marvels exist in earth, sky, or water are all contained within You. What could I have seen that is not already known to me? Where all wonders reside—in earth, sky, or water—upon seeing You, O Brahman, what further marvel could there be?” Having spoken thus, Akrūra, the son of Gāndinī, urged the chariot onward, and as day drew to a close, brought Rāma and Kṛṣṇa to the outskirts of Mathurā. Along the way, villagers gathered in joyful crowds, their hearts delighted at the sight of Vasudeva’s sons, unable to turn their eyes away. Meanwhile, the residents of Vraja, led by Nanda and the cowherds, arrived at the city’s gardens, waiting there in eager anticipation. Upon meeting them, the Lord of the universe warmly greeted Akrūra, taking his extended hand in His own and smiling with affection. Kṛṣṇa then said, “You should enter the city and your house ahead of us, taking your chariot. We will remain here for now and later come to see the city.” But Akrūra pleaded, “O Lord, I cannot enter Mathurā without You both. Do not abandon me, O Master, for I am Your devotee and You cherish Your devotees. Please, let us go together to our homes and make them blessed, O Acyuta, along with Your elder brother, the cowherds, and Your dearest friends. Sanctify our homes with the dust of Your feet—for that dust alone purifies even the ancestors, the sacrificial fires, and the gods. When Bali washed Your feet, he attained praise, incomparable prosperity, and the highest path of devotion. 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 indeed come to your house with the noble ones. After slaying the wicked Yadu king, I will bring joy to my friends.” Thus addressed by the Lord, Akrūra, though still troubled in mind, entered the city, reported his task to Kaṁsa, and went to his own home. In the afternoon, Lord Kṛṣṇa, accompanied by Saṅkarṣaṇa and surrounded by the eager cowherds, entered Mathurā. He beheld the city’s splendor—its lofty crystal gates and grand doorways adorned with golden arches, walls plated with copper, deep and formidable moats, and gardens and groves enhancing its beauty. The city dazzled with palaces crowned by golden spires and balconies, rows of assembly halls and mansions, and balustrades and altars inlaid with beryl, diamonds, flawless sapphires, coral, pearls, and emeralds. The lattice windows, doorways, and floors resonated with the calls of pigeons and peacocks. The streets, markets, and crossroads were sprinkled with water and strewn with garlands, sandalwood powder, and rice grains. Doorways and homes were beautifully adorned with full pots anointed with yogurt and sandal paste, rows of flowers and lamps with tender leaves, clusters of plantain trees, and festoons of cloth banners. As the two sons of Vasudeva entered, surrounded by friends and following the royal road, the women of Mathurā, eager to behold them, rushed out and climbed to the rooftops, their hearts racing with excitement. In their haste, some women donned their clothes and ornaments incorrectly, some forgot to finish dressing, some wore only one earring or anklet, others adorned only one eye with collyrium. Some, abandoning their meals and the festival, came without bathing; others, roused from sleep by the commotion, left their children unweaned and hurried out—even mothers themselves. With his lotus eyes, playful glances, and gentle smiles, Kṛṣṇa captivated their hearts, like a proud, intoxicated elephant delighting the eyes and gladdening the hearts of all. Seeing Him again and again, their minds drawn as foretold, the women, their pride awakened by His smiling glances, embraced with their eyes the very embodiment of bliss. Their skin bristled with joy, and all their sorrows faded into oblivion.