When the wondrous vision before him disappeared, Akrūra quickly emerged from the water. He completed his sacred duties, still astonished by what he had witnessed, and returned to the chariot where Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma awaited him. Sensing Akrūra’s amazement, Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of the senses, gently inquired, “Akrūra, what extraordinary sight have you seen—on earth, in the sky, or in the water—that you appear so amazed?” With deep reverence, Akrūra replied, “O Hṛṣīkeśa, whatever marvels exist in this world—in the heavens, on earth, or in the water—are all contained within You, the soul of the universe. What could I possibly have seen that is not already known to me through You? O Brahman, wherever wonders are found, seeing You, what marvel could there be here?” After speaking thus, Akrūra, the son of Gāndinī, urged the chariot onward. As the day drew to a close, he brought Rāma and Kṛṣṇa to the city of Mathurā. Along the way, villagers gathered in groups, their eyes drawn irresistibly to the sons of Vasudeva. Their hearts filled with joy, they could not look away. Meanwhile, the residents of Vraja, led by Nanda and the cowherds, had already arrived in the gardens outside Mathurā and waited there, eager for news. When they met, the Lord of the universe greeted Akrūra warmly, taking his outstretched hand with a smile. He said, “Akrūra, you should enter the city and your house ahead of us with your chariot. We will remain here for now, and then 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 are ever affectionate to Your devotees. Come, let us go to our homes together, O Acyuta, with Your elder brother, the cowherds, and Your dear friends. Sanctify our homes with the dust of Your feet; by its purity, even the ancestors, sacrificial fires, and gods are never fully satisfied. After washing Your feet, the great Bali was made worthy of praise, attained incomparable prosperity, and the ultimate path of devotion. The water from washing Your feet purified the three worlds; Śiva placed it 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 Lord replied, “I will come to your house, accompanied by the noble ones. After I have slain the wicked Yadu king, I will bring joy to My friends.” Thus addressed, Akrūra, though troubled in heart, entered the city, reported his mission to Kaṃsa, and went to his home. Later that afternoon, Lord Kṛṣṇa, accompanied by Saṅkarṣaṇa and surrounded by the cowherds, all eager to see the city, entered Mathurā. The city stood before them, magnificent with its towering crystal gates, grand doorways adorned with golden arches, copper-plated walls, and deep moats that were hard to cross. Lush gardens and groves added to its beauty. The city was resplendent with palaces crowned by golden spires and balconies, with rows of assembly halls and mansions, and balustrades and altars inlaid with beryl, diamonds, spotless sapphires, coral, pearls, and emeralds. Latticed windows, ornate doorways, and shining floors echoed with the cooing of pigeons and the calls of peacocks. The streets, markets, and crossroads were sprinkled with water and strewn with garlands, sandalwood powder, and grains of rice. 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 colorful cloth banners. As the two sons of Vasudeva entered, surrounded by their friends and following the royal road, the women of Mathurā, eager to behold them, rushed out and climbed to the tops of their mansions, their hearts brimming with excitement. Some, in their haste, put on their clothes and ornaments incorrectly; some forgot to finish dressing, wearing only one earring or one anklet, and some adorned only one eye with collyrium. Others, leaving their meals unfinished or forsaking the festival, came without bathing; some, awakened from sleep by the commotion, left even their unweaned children and hurried out, so eager were they to see the brothers. With lotus-like eyes, playful glances, and gentle smiles, Kṛṣṇa captivated their hearts, as a proud, intoxicated elephant delights those who see him. The women, their minds drawn to him as they had heard in stories, gazed again and again, their pride awakened by his smiling glances. They embraced the embodiment of bliss with their eyes, their skin bristling with joy, forgetting all sorrows. Their faces blooming with happiness, the women showered flowers of good wishes upon Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma from the rooftops. The delighted brāhmaṇas, at various places, worshipped them with curds, unbroken rice, water vessels, garlands, fragrant substances, and other auspicious offerings. The townspeople marveled, saying, “Oh, what great austerity did the cowherd women perform, that they are able to see these two, the very festival of the human world?” As they proceeded, Kṛṣṇa, the elder brother of Gadā, saw a washerman approaching—a dyer, carrying fine garments. He asked, “O good man, give us some suitable garments, for we are worthy. You will gain the highest good by giving—of this there is no doubt.” But the washerman, a servant of the king, replied with arrogance and anger, “Such clothes are only for those who dwell in the forest and mountains; why do you, so bold, desire the king’s property? Go quickly, children; do not ask for such things if you wish to live. The royal households, proud as they are, bind, kill, and plunder.” Hearing these harsh words, Kṛṣṇa, the son of Devakī, became angry. With a single blow, he struck off the washerman’s head. All the attendants, terrified, abandoned their bundles of garments and fled in all directions. Acyuta took the clothes. Kṛṣṇa and Saṅkarṣaṇa dressed themselves in garments that pleased them, and gave the remaining clothes to the cowherds, leaving some on the ground. Then, a delighted tailor came forward and prepared attire for the two, using garments of various colors and suitable designs. Thus adorned in their splendid attire, Kṛṣṇa and Rāma shone forth like young elephants at a festival—one fair, one dark. Pleased with the tailor’s devotion, the Lord granted him a form like His own, supreme good fortune in the world, strength, sovereignty, memory, and mastery of the senses.