As Krishna and Balarama entered the city, their presence was like a festival for all, especially for the women whose hearts and minds were captivated by Krishna’s lotus eyes, playful glances, and gentle, enchanting smiles. He moved among them like a proud, intoxicated elephant, bringing delight to their eyes and joy to their hearts. The women, seeing Krishna again and again as they had so often heard about Him, felt their pride swell under the touch of His smiling glances. With their skin bristling in happiness, they embraced with their eyes the very embodiment of bliss, forgetting all their sorrows in that moment. Their faces blooming with joy, the women climbed to the rooftops of their mansions and showered flowers of good wishes upon the two radiant boys, Krishna and Balarama. All around, the delighted brāhmaṇas worshipped the brothers at various places, offering curds, unbroken rice, water vessels, garlands, fragrant substances, and many other auspicious items. The townspeople, marveling at the sight, spoke among themselves: “What great austerities must the cowherd women have performed, that they are able to see these two, who are a grand festival for the human world?” As Krishna and Balarama made their way through the city, Krishna, the elder brother of Gadā, noticed a washerman—a dyer—approaching. Krishna asked him for some fine, clean clothes, saying, “O good man, give us suitable garments, for we are worthy; by giving, you will gain the highest good—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 these harsh words, Krishna, the son of Devakī, became angry and, with His hand, struck the washerman’s head from his body. All the washerman’s attendants, terrified, abandoned their bundles of garments and fled in every direction. Krishna—Acyuta—took the fine clothes. He and Balarama dressed themselves in garments that pleased them and gave the remaining clothes to their cowherd friends, leaving some on the ground. Then a delighted tailor came forward and prepared attire for Krishna and Balarama, with garments of various colors and suitable designs. Dressed in these diverse clothes, Krishna and Balarama shone forth like young elephants at a festival—one fair, one dark. Pleased with the tailor’s devotion, Krishna granted him a form like His own, supreme fortune, strength, sovereignty, memory, and mastery of the senses. Next, Krishna and Balarama visited the house of Sudāmā, the garland-maker. Seeing them, Sudāmā rose and bowed his head to the ground. He brought seats for them, washed their feet, and honored them and their companions with garlands, betel, ointments, and other offerings. Filled with joy, 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 the finest, most fragrant flowers. Adorned with these garlands and pleased, Krishna and Balarama granted Sudāmā boons. He chose unwavering devotion to that all-pervading Self, friendship with His devotees, and supreme compassion for all beings. Thus, the Lord granted him the boon, as well as wealth to increase his lineage, strength, long life, fame, and splendor, and then 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 then continued: Next, Krishna showed favor to Kubjā, broke the bow, and made ready for the wrestling arena. As Mādhava proceeded along the royal road, He saw a young maiden with a lovely face, carrying a vessel of fragrant ointment—Kubjā. 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, Kubjā applied the rich ointment to both Krishna and Balarama. 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. Pleased, Krishna 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, Krishna drew her up and straightened her body. Instantly, by the touch of Mukunda, she was transformed—her body became straight and beautiful, with broad hips and full breasts—into an exquisite woman. Endowed now with beauty, virtues, and generosity, Kubjā, drawing Krishna’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.” Thus entreated, Krishna smiled and replied as Balarama and the followers looked on, “I will come to your house, O lovely-browed one, who captivates the hearts of men. When our purpose is fulfilled, you will be the refuge for us wanderers.” Leaving her with these sweet words, Krishna continued along the merchant’s road with Balarama, honored by people bearing gifts, betel, garlands, and perfumes. So overwhelmed were the women who saw and remembered Him, that they lost all awareness of themselves—their clothes, hair, and bangles slipped, as if they were painted figures come to life.