The householders, longing for sanctity, humbly entreated the Lord: “Sanctify our homes with the dust of Your feet. Such is its purifying power that even our ancestors, the sacrificial fires, and the gods themselves are never fully satisfied with its presence.” They recalled how the great Bali, after washing the Lord’s feet, became worthy of praise, gained incomparable prosperity, and attained the highest path of devotion. The waters from washing His feet, they remembered, had purified the three worlds; Lord Śiva himself had placed them on his head, and by their touch, the sons of Sagara ascended to heaven. With reverence they addressed Him: “O God of gods, Lord of the universe, whose very hearing and praise is holy, foremost among the Yadus, praised by the noblest hymns—O Nārāyaṇa, we bow to You.” To this, the Blessed Lord replied, “I will indeed come to your house, accompanied by the noble ones. After slaying the wicked Yadu king, I shall bring joy to My friends.” Śukadeva then narrated how, thus addressed by the Lord, Akrūra—though his mind was troubled—entered the city, reported his mission to Kaṃsa, and then returned to his own home. Meanwhile, in the afternoon, Lord Kṛṣṇa, accompanied by Saṅkarṣaṇa and surrounded by the eager cowherd boys, entered Mathurā. The city rose before them, resplendent with lofty crystal gates, grand doorways adorned with golden arches, walls plated with copper, deep moats difficult to cross, and lush gardens and groves that enhanced its beauty. Palaces with golden spires and balconies lined the streets, with rows of assembly halls and mansions. Balustrades and altars were inlaid with beryl, diamonds, flawless sapphires, coral, pearls, and emeralds. The 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 and strewn with garlands, sandalwood powder, and rice grains. Doorways and houses were beautifully adorned with full pots anointed with yogurt and sandal paste, rows of flowers, lamps with tender leaves, clusters of plantain trees, and festoons of cloth banners. As Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, the sons of Vasudeva, entered the city surrounded by their friends, the women of Mathurā, eager to behold them, rushed out and climbed the mansions, their hearts filled with excitement. In their haste, some put on their clothes and ornaments incorrectly, some forgot to finish dressing, others wore only one earring or anklet, and a few adorned only one eye with collyrium. Some left their meals unfinished, others set aside the festival and came without bathing; some, roused from sleep by the commotion, hurried out, leaving even their unweaned children behind. With lotus eyes, bold and playful glances, and gentle smiles, Kṛṣṇa stole the minds of these women, much like a proud, intoxicated elephant, delighting their eyes and gladdening their hearts. Seeing Him again and again, their minds drawn as they had heard in stories, 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 were forgotten. Their faces blooming with happiness, the women climbed to the rooftops and showered flowers of good wishes upon Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma. The brāhmaṇas, delighted, worshipped the brothers at various places with curds, unbroken rice, water vessels, garlands, fragrant substances, and other auspicious offerings. The townspeople marveled: “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—and asked him for some fine, clean clothes. “O good man,” He said, “give us garments suitable for us. We are worthy, and by giving, you will gain the highest good—of this, there is no doubt.” But the washerman, a servant of the king, arrogant and contemptuous, replied with 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.” At this, the son of Devakī became angry. With His hand, He struck the washerman, severing his head from his body. All the attendants, terrified, abandoned their bundles of garments and fled in every direction. Acyuta took the clothes, and after dressing in garments pleasing to themselves, both Kṛṣṇa and Saṅkarṣaṇa distributed the remaining clothes to the cowherd boys, leaving some on the ground. Then a tailor, delighted, prepared attire for the two brothers—garments of various colors and suitable designs. Kṛṣṇa and Rāma shone forth in their new attire, adorned like young elephants, one fair and one dark, at a festival. The Lord, pleased with the tailor’s devotion, granted him a form like His own, supreme fortune in the world, strength, sovereignty, memory, and mastery of the senses. Next, 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, water for their feet, offerings, and other honors, worshipping them and their companions with garlands, betel, and fragrant ointments. Sudāmā spoke with joy: “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 excellent, fragrant flowers. Adorned with those garlands, Kṛṣṇa and Rāma, pleased, 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 the boon and wealth that would increase his lineage, along with strength, long life, fame, and splendor, the Lord departed with His elder brother. Thus ends the forty-first chapter, entitled “Entry into the City,” in the first half of the tenth book of the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, the great Purāṇa, the scripture of the supreme renunciates.