As Krishna and Balarama entered the city, accompanied by their cowherd friends, they approached the royal washerman. Krishna, ever gracious, addressed him: “O good man, please give us suitable garments, for we are worthy. By giving to us, you shall attain the highest good—of this there is no doubt.” But the king’s servant, proud and arrogant, responded with contempt and anger. He sneered, “Such clothes are meant only for those who dwell in forests and mountains. Why do you, so bold, desire the king’s property?” He threatened them further: “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, Krishna, the son of Devaki, became angry. With a swift motion, he struck the washerman’s head from his body. Terrified, all the attendants abandoned their bundles of garments and fled in every direction. Krishna, known as Acyuta, took the clothes. He and Sankarshana dressed themselves in garments pleasing to their hearts, then distributed the remaining clothes among the cowherds, leaving some on the ground. Next, a tailor, delighted by their presence, prepared attire for Krishna and Balarama—garments of various colors and suitable designs. Krishna and Rama shone forth in their diverse attire, adorned like young elephants at a festival—one fair, one dark. Pleased with the tailor’s service, Krishna granted him likeness to Himself, supreme fortune in the world, strength, sovereignty, memory, and mastery of the senses. Continuing on, Krishna and Balarama went to the house of Sudama, the garland-maker. Upon seeing them, Sudama rose and bowed his head to the ground. He brought seats, water for their feet, and offerings, honoring them and their companions with garlands, betel, and fragrant ointments. With reverence, Sudama 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, Sudama joyfully offered garlands made from excellent, fragrant flowers. Krishna and Rama, adorned with those garlands and pleased, granted boons to Sudama, who had bowed and surrendered. Sudama 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, Krishna 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. Next, Śuka continued: Krishna bestowed favor upon Kubja, broke the bow, and prepared the wrestling arena. As Madhava proceeded along the royal road, he saw a woman carrying a vessel of ointment—Kubja, a young maiden with a lovely face. Smiling and delighted, 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.” Kubja, also known as Sairandhri, replied: “I am a maidservant, O handsome one, approved by Kamsa, 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, Kubja 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 further enhanced. Pleased, Krishna resolved to straighten the hunchbacked, lovely-faced Kubja, demonstrating 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, Kubja’s body became straight and beautiful, with broad hips and full breasts, transformed into an exquisite woman. Endowed with beauty, virtues, and generosity, Kubja, drawing Krishna’s upper garment and smiling with awakened desire, spoke to him: “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.” 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 along the merchant’s road. With Balarama, he was honored by people bringing various gifts—betel, garlands, and perfumes. So enraptured were the women by Krishna’s presence and remembering him, they lost awareness of themselves—their clothes, hair, and bangles slipping, as if they were painted figures. Then, Krishna, asking the townspeople about the place of the bow, entered there and saw the wondrous bow, like Indra’s own, guarded by many men, worshipped, and possessing 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 the eyes of all, and drew it back. Mighty Krishna broke it in the middle, as an elephant snaps a sugarcane stalk. The sound of the bow breaking filled the sky, earth, and all directions; hearing it, Kamsa was seized with fear. Angry guards and their followers rushed to seize and kill Krishna, shouting, “Catch him! Kill him!” Seeing their hostile intentions, Balarama and Krishna became angry; taking up fragments of the bow, they struck and killed them. Thus the divine brothers continued their journey, ever shining in glory, bestowing blessings and fulfilling their purpose in the world.