As Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma entered the city, the streets and homes sparkled with festive decorations. Doorways were adorned with full pots, anointed with yogurt and sandal paste, while garlands of flowers and lamps, tender leaves, clusters of plantain trees, and colorful cloth banners filled the air with joy. The city was alive with anticipation. Following the royal road, the two sons of Vasudeva walked, surrounded by their friends. The women of the city, eager to catch a glimpse of them, rushed out of their homes and hurriedly climbed to the rooftops of their mansions, their hearts fluttering with excitement. In their haste, many dressed hurriedly—some put on their clothes and ornaments incorrectly, some forgot to finish dressing, others wore only one earring or anklet, and some adorned only one eye with collyrium. Some left their meals unfinished and set aside the festival, coming out without bathing; others, awakened by the commotion, left their children unweaned and hurried out, even the mothers themselves. Kṛṣṇa, with his lotus eyes, playful glances, and gentle smiles, captivated the minds of the women, much like a proud, intoxicated elephant delights the onlookers. Their eyes drank in his beauty, their hearts overflowed with joy, and seeing him again and again, their minds were drawn to him just as they had heard in stories. Their pride awakened by his smiling glances, they embraced the embodiment of bliss with their eyes, their skin bristling with delight, forgetting all their sorrows. Faces blooming with happiness, the women climbed to the tops of the mansions and showered flowers of good wishes upon Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma. The brāhmaṇas, delighted, worshipped them at various places with curds, unbroken rice, water vessels, garlands, fragrant substances, and other offerings. The townspeople marveled, saying, “What great austerities the cowherd women must have performed to be able to see these two, the greatest festival of the human world!” As they walked, Kṛṣṇa, the elder brother of Gadā, noticed a washerman approaching—a dyer carrying fine, clean clothes. Kṛṣṇa asked him, “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, the son of Devakī became angry and struck the washerman, severing his head with his hand. The attendants, terrified, abandoned their bundles of garments and fled in all directions. Acyuta took the clothes, and he and Saṅkarṣaṇa dressed themselves in garments pleasing to their hearts, giving the remaining clothes to their cowherd friends and leaving some on the ground. Then a tailor, delighted, prepared attire for Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma—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, the Lord granted him likeness to Himself, supreme fortune, 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. Bringing seats, water for their feet, offerings, and other honors, he worshipped Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma 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 these 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 His devotees, and supreme compassion for all beings. Thus granting him the boon and wealth to increase his lineage, along with strength, long life, fame, and splendor, the Lord departed with His elder brother. Thus 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 preparing the wrestling arena. As Mādhava proceeded along the royal road, he saw a young woman carrying a vessel of ointment—Kubjā, a maiden with a lovely face. Smiling and full of delight, he 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.” The maiden 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, they appeared even more attractive, their forms enhanced. The Lord, pleased, resolved to straighten the hunchbacked, lovely-faced Kubjā, demonstrating 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, she became straight and beautiful, with broad hips and full breasts, transformed into an exquisite woman. Endowed now with beauty, virtues, and generosity, Kubjā, drawing Kṛṣṇa’s upper garment and smiling with awakened desire, spoke to Keśava: “Come, hero, let us go to my house; I cannot bear to let you go. My heart is stirred by you—please, best of men, be gracious to me.