As Krishna and Balarama entered the city, they encountered a washerman carrying fine garments for the royal household. The washerman, proud of his association with the king, haughtily warned the two youths, “Go away, children! If you wish to live, do not ask for such things. The royal families are powerful—they bind, kill, and plunder at will.” His arrogance angered Krishna, the son of Devaki. Without hesitation, Krishna struck the washerman, severing his head with a single blow. At the sight of this, the washerman’s attendants panicked. Dropping their bundles of clothing, they scattered in all directions. Krishna, known as Acyuta, gathered up the abandoned garments. Choosing clothes that pleased them, both Krishna and his elder brother Sankarshana (Balarama) dressed themselves, then generously distributed the remaining garments to their cowherd friends, leaving some lying on the ground. Soon after, a delighted tailor approached the brothers. With great joy, he fashioned for them splendid attire, selecting garments of various colors and elegant designs. Krishna and Balarama, now adorned in their new clothes, shone with youthful radiance—one fair, one dark—like two young elephants at a festival. Pleased with the tailor’s service, Krishna rewarded him with blessings: a form like His own, supreme fortune, strength, sovereignty, keen memory, and mastery over the senses. Continuing their way, Krishna and Balarama visited the home of Sudama, the garland-maker. Seeing the divine brothers, Sudama rose at once and bowed low, his head touching the ground. He offered them seats, water for their feet, and various honors, worshipping Krishna, Balarama, and their companions with fragrant garlands, betel leaves, and scented ointments. With heartfelt devotion, Sudama spoke, “O Lord, your arrival has made my birth meaningful and purified my lineage; truly, my ancestors and the gods themselves are pleased with me today. You two are the supreme cause of the universe, descended in partial form for the world’s welfare. Your vision is never partial; you are equal to all beings, whether they worship you or are worshipped by you. Please, command your servant—what may I do for you? To receive your instruction is the greatest blessing.” Thinking thus, Sudama joyfully offered his finest garlands to the brothers. Adorned with these garlands and pleased by Sudama’s devotion, Krishna and Balarama granted him boons. Sudama requested unwavering devotion to the all-pervading Self, friendship with the Lord’s devotees, and the highest compassion for all beings. The Lord, pleased, granted him these blessings along with prosperity for his family, strength, longevity, fame, and splendor. Then, Krishna and Balarama departed, continuing on their way. Thus concludes the forty-first chapter, “Entry into the City,” from the first half of the tenth book of the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, the great Purāṇa, scripture of the supreme renunciates. Śuka continued: Next, Krishna showed favor to Kubja, broke the great bow, and prepared the wrestling arena. As Madhava (Krishna) walked along the royal road, he noticed a young woman with a lovely face carrying a vessel of fragrant ointment. Smiling with delight, he approached and asked her, “Who are you, beautiful one? What is this fragrant ointment? Whose maid are you? Please tell us. Apply some of this excellent ointment to us—by doing so, your good fortune will arise.” The woman replied, “I am a maidservant, O handsome one, appointed by Kamsa, and my name is Trivakra. My work is to prepare ointments, which are especially dear to the Bhoja king. Besides you two, who else is worthy of them?” Captivated by the brothers’ beauty, charm, sweet smiles, gentle speech, and glances, Kubja (Trivakra) joyfully applied the rich ointment to both Krishna and Balarama. The ointment, glowing with hues unlike their own, made their forms shine even more splendidly. Pleased, Krishna decided to reward Kubja. He wished to show the fruit of simply beholding him. Placing his feet upon hers and gently lifting her chin with his fingers, Krishna drew her up and straightened her bent form. Instantly, by his touch, Kubja’s body became straight and graceful, her figure transformed with broad hips and full breasts. She became exquisitely beautiful. Blessed with newfound beauty, virtue, and generosity, Kubja, her heart awakened with longing, smiled and tugged at Krishna’s upper garment. She said, “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, smiling as Balarama and the others looked on, replied, “I will come to your house, lovely-browed one, who captivates the hearts of men. When our purpose here is fulfilled, you shall be the refuge for us wanderers.” With these gentle words, Krishna continued on his way with Balarama, walking the merchant’s road. The people honored them, bringing gifts, betel, garlands, and perfumes. So enchanting was Krishna’s presence that the women of the city, overcome with emotion, forgot themselves entirely—their clothes, hair, and bangles slipping as if they were painted figures come to life. Then, Krishna inquired about the location of the great bow. He entered the hall where it was kept and beheld the wondrous weapon, resplendent like Indra’s own, guarded by many men and worshipped with great honor. Though the guards tried to restrain him, Krishna seized the bow with playful ease, lifting it with his left hand. Before all present, he strung the bow in an instant and, drawing it back, broke it in two like an elephant snapping a stalk of sugarcane. The sound of the bow breaking echoed through the sky and earth and in all directions. Hearing it, Kamsa was seized with terror. The furious guards, with their followers, rushed at Krishna, shouting, “Catch him! Kill him!” But Balarama and Krishna, angered by their hostility, seized fragments of the broken bow and struck down their attackers. Having slain the force sent by Kamsa, the brothers joyfully left the hall and wandered through the city, marveling at its grandeur. The citizens, witnessing their valor, brilliance, confidence, and divine form, regarded Krishna and Balarama as gods among men. As the sun set, the brothers, accompanied by their cowherd friends, left the city and returned to their wagon, their hearts and those of the people filled with wonder.