The city was alive with celebration. Through latticed windows and doorways, the sounds of pigeons and peacocks echoed, while the streets, markets, and crossroads were freshly sprinkled with water and adorned with garlands, sandalwood powder, and rice grains. Every doorway and house gleamed with decoration: full pots anointed with yogurt and sandal paste stood at the entrances, rows of fresh flowers and lamps with tender leaves lined the thresholds, clusters of plantain trees flanked the homes, and colorful festoons and cloth banners fluttered above. Into this festive scene entered the two sons of Vasudeva, Krishna and Balarama, surrounded by their friends as they followed the royal road. The women of the city, eager to see them, hurried forth, climbing to the upper stories of their mansions, excitement lighting their faces. In their haste, many dressed haphazardly—some wore their clothes and ornaments incorrectly, others forgot to finish dressing altogether. Some wore only one earring or anklet, or adorned just one eye with collyrium. Some, leaving their meals unfinished and the festival aside, came without bathing; others, awakened by the commotion, left their children unweaned and rushed out, even the mothers themselves. Krishna, with his lotus eyes, lively glances, and gentle smiles, captivated the minds of those women. Like a proud, intoxicated elephant, he delighted their eyes and filled their hearts with joy. Again and again they gazed upon him, their minds drawn as they had heard, and their pride awakened by his smiles. With their eyes they embraced the embodiment of bliss, their skin bristling with joy, forgetting all their sorrows. Faces blooming with happiness, the women climbed to the tops of their mansions and showered flowers of good wishes upon Krishna and Balarama. The brāhmaṇas, delighted, worshipped them at various places with offerings of curds, unbroken rice, water vessels, garlands, fragrant substances, and more. 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, Krishna, the elder brother of Gadā, saw a washerman approaching—a dyer—and asked him for some fine, clean clothes. Krishna 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 such boasting, Krishna, son of Devakī, became angry and struck the washerman, severing his head with his hand. The washerman’s attendants, abandoning their bundles of garments, fled in every direction. Krishna, known as Acyuta, took the clothes. Both Krishna and Balarama dressed themselves in garments pleasing to them and distributed the remaining clothes to the cowherds, leaving some on the ground. Then a tailor, full of delight, prepared attire for the two, with garments of various colors and suitable designs. Krishna and Rama shone forth in their diverse attire, adorned like young elephants—one fair, one dark—at a festival. Pleased with the tailor’s devotion, Krishna granted him likeness to Himself, 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, water for their feet, offerings, and other honors, worshipping Krishna, Rama, 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.” Thinking thus, Sudāmā, with a joyful heart, offered garlands made from excellent, fragrant flowers. Adorned with those garlands, Krishna and Rama, along with their companions, granted boons to Sudāmā, who had bowed and surrendered. He 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. So concludes the forty-first chapter, “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 making the wrestling arena ready—Now, as Mādhava was proceeding along the royal road, he saw a woman carrying a vessel of ointment: Kubjā, a young maiden with a lovely face. Smiling and full of delight, Krishna 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, she applied the rich ointment to both of them. Adorned with the ointment, which shone with a color different from their own, and having received a share from another, the two 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. Placing His feet on hers, and lifting her chin with the upward-turned fingers of His hand, Acyuta drew her up and straightened her body. Instantly, by the touch of Mukunda, Kubjā’s body became straight and beautiful, with broad hips and full breasts, transformed into an exquisite woman. Endowed with beauty, virtues, and generosity, Kubjā, drawing Krishna’s upper garment and smiling with awakened desire, spoke to Keśava.