As Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma entered the city, accompanied by their companions, they encountered a washerman approaching with bundles of freshly dyed clothes. Kṛṣṇa, the elder brother of Gadā, addressed the washerman, requesting, “O good man, please give us some fine, clean garments suitable for us. By offering them, you will gain the highest good—there is no doubt.” But the washerman, a servant of the king, was arrogant and responded with contempt and anger. He scoffed, “Such clothes are meant only for those who dwell in the forests and mountains. Why do you, so bold, desire the king’s property?” He threatened them, saying, “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 words, the son of Devakī—Kṛṣṇa—became angry. With a single blow of his hand, he struck the washerman, severing his head from his body. Terrified, the washerman’s attendants abandoned their bundles of garments and fled in every direction. Acyuta, another name for Kṛṣṇa, took the clothes. Kṛṣṇa and Saṅkarṣaṇa (Balarāma) then dressed themselves in garments pleasing to their hearts, and generously distributed the remaining clothes among the cowherds, leaving some on the ground. Next, a delighted tailor approached and prepared attire for the two brothers, crafting garments of various colors and suitable designs. Kṛṣṇa and Rāma shone forth in their diverse attire, adorned like young elephants—one fair, one dark—at a festival. Pleased with the tailor’s service, the Lord granted him a boon: likeness to Himself, supreme fortune in the world, strength, sovereignty, memory, and mastery of the senses. Continuing on their way, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma visited the house of Sudāmā, the garland-maker. Seeing them, Sudāmā rose and bowed his head to the ground in reverence. He brought seats, 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.” Thinking thus, Sudāmā, with a joyful heart, offered garlands made from excellent, fragrant flowers. Kṛṣṇa and Rāma, adorned with these garlands and pleased, granted boons to Sudāmā, who had bowed and surrendered himself. 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. This 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—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.” The woman, Sairandhri, replied, “I am a maidservant, O handsome one, approved by Kaṃsa. 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 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. Pleased, the Lord 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, Kubjā’s body became straight and beautiful, with broad hips and full breasts, transformed by the touch of Mukunda into an exquisite woman. Endowed 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, as Balarama watched and the followers looked on, smiled and replied, “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 sweet words, Krishna continued on the merchant’s road with Balarama, honored by people bringing various gifts—betel, garlands, and perfumes. So stirred were the women of the city by seeing and remembering Him that they lost awareness of themselves—their clothes, hair, and bangles slipping, as if they were painted figures. Acyuta then asked the townspeople about the location of the bow and entered there, beholding the wondrous bow, like Indra’s own, guarded by many men and worshipped for its great splendor. Though restrained by the guards, Krishna forcefully took up the bow. With his left hand, he playfully lifted the bow, strung it in a moment before all eyes, and, drawing it back, broke it in the middle—as an elephant snaps a sugarcane stalk. The sound of the bow breaking filled the sky, the earth, and all directions. Hearing it, Kaṃsa was seized with fear. The angry guards, with their followers, rushed to seize and kill Krishna, shouting, “Catch him! Kill him!