As Krishna and Balarama entered the city, accompanied by their companions, they made their way to the home of Sudāmā, the garland-maker. Upon seeing them, Sudāmā rose with reverence, bowing his head to the ground in deep respect. He brought seats for the guests, offered water for their feet, and honored them with garlands, betel, ointments, and other offerings. With heartfelt devotion, Sudāmā worshipped Krishna, Balarama, and their companions. He addressed them, saying, “O Lord, your arrival has made my birth meaningful and purified my lineage. My ancestors and the gods are pleased with me today.” Sudāmā recognized their divine nature, declaring, “You two are the supreme cause of the universe, descended in partial form for the welfare and prosperity of the world.” He praised their impartial vision, noting that Krishna and Balarama regard all beings equally, whether they worship or are worshipped. With humility, Sudāmā asked, “Now command your servant—what shall I do for you? To be instructed by you is the highest favor a person can receive.” Filled with joy, he offered garlands made from fragrant, excellent flowers. Krishna and Balarama, adorned with these garlands and pleased by Sudāmā’s devotion, granted him boons. Sudāmā chose unwavering devotion to the all-pervading Self, friendship with the Lord’s devotees, and supreme compassion for all beings. The Lord further granted him wealth to increase his lineage, strength, long life, fame, and splendor. With these blessings bestowed, Krishna and his elder brother departed, thus concluding the chapter entitled “Entry into the City,” in the first half of the tenth book of the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. Śuka continued the narration, describing the next events: Krishna showed favor to Kubjā, broke the mighty bow, and prepared the wrestling arena. As Mādhava proceeded along the royal road, he saw a young maiden carrying a vessel of ointment. This was Kubjā, also known as Trivakra, a maidservant approved by Kaṃsa, with a lovely face and a hunched back. Krishna, smiling and full of delight, 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.” Kubjā replied, “I am a maidservant, O handsome one, approved by Kaṃsa, and my name is Trivakra. I prepare ointments that are 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 Krishna and Balarama. Adorned with the ointment, which shone with a color different from their own, the two brothers appeared even more attractive, their forms enhanced. Pleased, Krishna resolved to straighten Kubjā’s body, demonstrating the fruit of seeing him. Placing his feet on hers and lifting her chin with his upward-turned fingers, Krishna drew her up and transformed her. Instantly, Kubjā’s body became straight and beautiful, with broad hips and full breasts, her form exquisitely changed by the touch of Mukunda. Now endowed with beauty, virtues, and generosity, Kubjā drew Krishna’s upper garment, smiling with awakened desire, and spoke, “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 and their followers watched, 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, receiving honors from people who brought gifts, betel, garlands, and perfumes. The women of Mathura, agitated by seeing and remembering Krishna, lost awareness of themselves, their clothes, hair, and bangles slipping as if they were painted figures. Krishna then asked the townspeople about the place of the bow and entered the hall where it was kept. He saw the wondrous bow, shining with great splendor like Indra’s own, guarded by many men and worshipped. Though restrained by the guards, Krishna forcefully took up the bow. With his left hand, he playfully lifted it, strung it in a moment before all eyes, and then broke it in the middle, as an elephant snaps a stalk of sugarcane. The sound of the breaking bow filled the sky, earth, and all directions. Hearing it, Kaṃsa was seized with fear. The 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 the assailants. Having slain the force sent by Kaṃsa, the brothers joyfully left the hall and wandered about, observing the city’s splendor. The residents of Mathura, witnessing their wondrous valor, brilliance, confidence, and form, regarded Krishna and Balarama as foremost among the gods. As the sun set, the two brothers, accompanied by the cowherds, returned from the city to their wagon. The gopis, distressed by separation from Mukunda, offered sincere blessings in Mathura. Gazing upon the beauty of Krishna, Lakshmi herself abandoned others and desired only him. That night, Krishna and Balarama had their feet washed, ate food mixed with milk, and spent the night happily, aware of Kaṃsa’s intentions. Meanwhile, Kaṃsa, hearing of the breaking of the bow, the destruction of his guards, and the extraordinary deeds of Govinda and Rama, was greatly disturbed. Sleepless and fearful, his mind troubled by evil omens, he described many signs, both real and imagined, heralding the approach of death. He saw his own head missing in reflections, and even when it appeared, it seemed doubled; he saw duplicity in the stars. He perceived gaps in his shadow, could not hear his own breath, saw gold in trees, and his footprints vanished.