Akrūra, filled with devotion and reverence, addressed Lord Kṛṣṇa: “Come, O Acyuta, let us go to our homes and make them blessed. Bring Your elder brother, the cowherds, and Your dearest friends. Sanctify the houses of us householders with the dust of Your feet, for even our ancestors, the sacrificial fires, and the gods are never fully satisfied without it. When the great Bali washed Your feet, he became worthy of praise and attained incomparable prosperity and the highest path of devotion. The waters from washing Your feet purified all three worlds; Śiva placed them upon his head, and the sons of Sagara were lifted to heaven. O God of gods, Lord of the universe, whose very hearing and praise are holy, foremost among the Yadus, praised by the best of hymns, O Nārāyaṇa, I bow before You.” Hearing these words, the Blessed Lord replied, “I will indeed come to your house, accompanied by the noble ones. After I have slain the wicked Yadu king, I will gladden the hearts of My friends.” Śuka then narrates: Having received the Lord’s assurance, Akrūra, though still troubled in heart, entered the city, reported his mission to Kaṃsa, and returned to his home. That afternoon, Lord Kṛṣṇa, accompanied by His elder brother Saṅkarṣaṇa and surrounded by the eager cowherds, entered the city of Mathurā, all of them excited to see its wonders. Kṛṣṇa beheld the city’s lofty crystal gates, grand doorways adorned with golden arches, and walls plated with copper. Deep moats, difficult to cross, encircled the city, while gardens and groves enhanced its beauty. The city sparkled with palaces crowned by golden spires and balconies, rows of assembly halls, and mansions. Balustrades and altars gleamed with beryl, diamonds, spotless sapphires, coral, pearls, and emeralds. Latticed windows, doorways, and floors echoed with the cooing of pigeons and the calls of peacocks. The streets, markets, and crossroads were freshly sprinkled with water, strewn with garlands, sandalwood powder, and grains of rice. Each doorway and house was 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 with colorful cloth banners. As the two sons of Vasudeva entered along the royal road, surrounded by their friends, the women of Mathurā, eager to catch a glimpse of them, hurried out and climbed to the rooftops of their mansions, filled with excitement. In their haste, some put on their clothes and ornaments incorrectly, some forgot to finish dressing, some wore only one earring or anklet, while others adorned only one eye with collyrium. Some left their meals unfinished and set aside the festival; others, roused from sleep by the commotion, left even their unweaned children and rushed out, so eager were they to see the Lord. With His lotus eyes, playful glances, and gentle smiles, Kṛṣṇa captivated the minds of those women, just as a proud, intoxicated elephant enchants the herd. He brought joy to their eyes and delight to their hearts. Again and again, as they gazed upon Him, their minds drawn by the stories they had heard, the women, their pride awakened by His smiling glances, embraced with their eyes the very embodiment of bliss. Their skin bristling with joy, they forgot all their sorrows. Their faces blooming with happiness, the women climbed to the highest balconies and showered flowers of good wishes upon Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma. The delighted brāhmaṇas, at various places, worshipped the brothers with curds, unbroken rice, water vessels, garlands, fragrant substances, and other offerings. The townspeople marveled, saying, “Oh, what great austerities must the cowherd women have performed, 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 of cloth, and asked him, “O good man, give us some fine, clean garments, for we are worthy. If you give, you will attain the highest good—of this there is no doubt.” But the washerman, a servant of the king, responded 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 his boastful words, Kṛṣṇa, son of Devakī, became angry and, with His hand, struck the washerman’s head from his body. All his attendants, abandoning their bundles of garments, fled in every direction. Acyuta then took the fine clothes. Kṛṣṇa and Saṅkarṣaṇa dressed themselves in garments that pleased them, and distributed the remaining clothes to their cowherd friends, leaving some on the ground. Then a delighted tailor approached and prepared attire for the two, using garments of various colors and suitable designs. Kṛṣṇa and Rāma shone forth in their diverse attire, adorned like young elephants, one fair and one dark, at a festival. Pleased with the tailor’s service, the Lord granted him a form like His own, supreme fortune in the world, strength, sovereignty, memory, and mastery of the senses. Afterward, they went to the house of Sudāmā, the garland-maker. Seeing them, Sudāmā rose and bowed his head to the ground. He brought seats for them, offered water for their feet, and honored them and their companions with garlands, betel, and fragrant ointments. Sudāmā said, “O Lord, my birth has become meaningful and my lineage purified; my ancestors and the gods are pleased with me by your arrival. You two are indeed the supreme cause of the universe, descended in partial form for the welfare and prosperity of the world. Your vision is never partial, O friends and souls of the world; you are equal to all beings, even to those who worship or are worshipped by you. Now command your servant—what shall I do for you? To be instructed by you is the highest favor a person can receive.” Thinking thus, Sudāmā, with a joyful heart, offered garlands made from the most excellent and fragrant flowers. Adorned with those garlands and pleased, Kṛṣṇa and Rāma, along with their companions, granted boons to the one who had bowed and surrendered. Sudāmā chose unwavering devotion to the all-pervading Self, friendship with His devotees, and supreme compassion for all beings. Thus, granting him this boon and wealth that would increase his lineage, along with strength, long life, fame, and splendor, the Lord departed with His elder brother, continuing His divine journey.