In the golden afternoon, Lord Kṛṣṇa, accompanied by His elder brother Saṅkarṣaṇa and surrounded by the joyful cowherd boys, entered the city of Mathurā. The cowherds, eager to see the wonders of the city, followed the two brothers along the royal road. As Kṛṣṇa gazed upon Mathurā, He beheld its magnificent crystal gates, grand doorways crowned with golden arches, walls plated with copper, and deep, formidable moats. Lush gardens and groves added to the city’s splendor. Mathurā was adorned with palaces whose golden spires and balconies gleamed in the sunlight. Rows of assembly halls and mansions stood tall, decorated with balustrades and altars inlaid with precious gems—beryl, diamonds, spotless sapphires, coral, pearls, and emeralds. The latticed windows, doorways, and floors echoed with the sounds of pigeons and peacocks. The streets, markets, and crossroads had been sprinkled with water and strewn with garlands, sandalwood powder, and rice grains in celebration. Every doorway and house was beautifully decorated: 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 welcomed the visitors. As the sons of Vasudeva entered the city, surrounded by their friends and following the royal road, the women of Mathurā, eager to see them, rushed forth. Excitement filled their hearts as they hurried to climb the tops of their mansions for a better view. In their haste, some women put on their clothes and ornaments incorrectly, others forgot to finish dressing, some wore only one earring or anklet, and others adorned only one eye with collyrium. Some left their meals unfinished and the festival aside, coming without bathing; others, roused from sleep at the commotion, left their children unweaned and hurried out—even the mothers. Kṛṣṇa, with lotus eyes, bold playful glances, and gentle smiles, captivated the minds of those women. Like a proud, intoxicated elephant, He brought joy to their eyes and delight to their hearts. Seeing Him again and again, their minds drawn to Him as they had heard in stories, the women, their pride awakened by His smiling glances, embraced with their eyes the embodiment of bliss. Their skin bristled with joy, and all their sorrows were forgotten. Their faces blooming with happiness, the women climbed to the tops of their mansions 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 austerity did the cowherd women perform, that they are able to see these two, the great 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. He said, “O good man, give us suitable garments, for we are worthy; you will gain the highest good by giving—of this there is no doubt.” But the king’s servant, full of arrogance, replied with contempt 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 this boastful speech, the son of Devakī became angry. With His hand, Kṛṣṇa struck the washerman’s head from his body. All his attendants, abandoning their bundles of garments, fled in every direction. Acyuta took the clothes. Having dressed in garments pleasing to themselves, both Kṛṣṇa and Saṅkarṣaṇa distributed the remaining clothes to the cowherds, leaving some on the ground. Then a tailor, delighted, prepared attire for the brothers, with 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 likeness to Himself, supreme fortune in the world, strength, sovereignty, memory, and mastery of the senses. Next, they visited the house of Sudāmā, the garland-maker. Seeing Kṛṣṇa and Rāma, 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 ointments. Sudāmā said, “O Lord, my birth has become meaningful and my lineage purified; my ancestors and 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.” With a joyful heart, Sudāmā offered garlands made from excellent, fragrant flowers. Adorned with those garlands and pleased, Kṛṣṇa and Rāma, along with their companions, granted boons to Sudāmā, who had bowed and surrendered. He chose unwavering devotion to the all-pervading Self, friendship with the Lord’s 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 concludes 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. Śuka continued: Next, showing favor to Kubjā, breaking the bow, and preparing the wrestling arena— As Mādhava proceeded along the royal road, He saw a woman carrying a vessel of ointment. This was Kubjā, a young maiden with a lovely face. Smiling and full of delight, Kṛṣṇa questioned her as she walked, “Who are you, beautiful one? What is this fragrant ointment? Whose maid are you? Please tell us clearly. Apply this excellent ointment to our limbs; by this, your good fortune will soon arise.” Sairandhri replied, “I am a maidservant, O handsome one, approved by Kaṃsa, and my name is Trivakra. My work is to prepare ointments, and what I make is especially dear to the Bhoja king. Besides you two, who else is worthy of it?” Captivated by their beauty, charm, sweet smiles, speech, and glances, Kubjā applied the rich ointment to both Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma. Adorned with the ointment, which shone with a color different from their own, and having received a share from another, the two brothers appeared even more attractive, their forms enhanced. The Lord, pleased, resolved to straighten the hunchbacked, lovely-faced Kubjā, showing by His action the fruit of seeing Him.