As the story unfolds, Krishna and Balarama, the souls of the world, are approached by Sudāmā, who recognizes their impartial vision. He acknowledges that their gaze is never partial, that they regard all beings equally, whether they are worshipped or worshippers. With deep reverence, Sudāmā requests their command, expressing that to be instructed by them is the highest favor one can receive. Moved by this devotion, Sudāmā joyfully offers garlands crafted from the most fragrant and excellent flowers. Krishna and Balarama, pleased and adorned with these garlands, grant boons to Sudāmā, who has bowed and surrendered himself before them. He asks for unwavering devotion to the all-pervading Self, friendship with the Lord’s devotees, and supreme compassion for all beings. The Lord, along with His elder brother, bestows upon him not only these spiritual blessings but also wealth to increase his lineage, strength, long life, fame, and splendor. Having granted these boons, Krishna and Balarama depart. With this, the forty-first chapter, entitled "Entry into the City," concludes in the great Purāṇa, the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. Śuka continues the narration. Next, Krishna shows favor to Kubjā, breaks the bow, and prepares the wrestling arena. As Mādhava proceeds along the royal road, He notices a woman carrying a vessel of ointment—a young maiden with a lovely face named Kubjā. Smiling and full of delight, Krishna gently questions her as she walks: "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, replies, "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 applies the rich ointment to both Krishna and Balarama. Adorned with the ointment, which shone with a color different from their own, the two brothers appear even more attractive, their forms enhanced. Pleased, the Lord resolves to straighten the hunchbacked, lovely-faced Kubjā, demonstrating the fruit of seeing Him. Placing His feet on hers and lifting her chin with His hand, Krishna draws her up and straightens her body. Instantly, by the touch of Mukunda, Kubjā’s body becomes straight and beautiful, with broad hips and full breasts, transformed into an exquisite woman. Endowed with beauty, virtues, and generosity, Kubjā, now awakened with desire, draws Krishna’s upper garment and smiles, speaking 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 and the followers look on, smiles and replies, "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 continues along the merchant’s road, and with Balarama, is honored by people bringing gifts—betel, garlands, perfumes. The women of Mathura, agitated by seeing and remembering Krishna, lose awareness of themselves, their clothes, hair, and bangles slipping, as if they were painted figures. Krishna then asks the townspeople about the location of the bow. Entering the place, He sees the wondrous bow, shining with splendor like Indra’s own, guarded by many men and worshipped. Despite the guards’ attempts to restrain Him, Krishna forcefully takes up the bow. With His left hand, He playfully lifts the bow, strings it in a moment before all eyes, and, drawing it back, breaks it in the middle as an elephant snaps a sugarcane stalk. The sound of the bow breaking fills the sky, earth, and all directions, and hearing it, Kaṃsa is seized with fear. The angry guards, with their followers, rush to seize and kill Krishna, shouting, "Catch him! Kill him!" Seeing their hostile intentions, Balarama and Krishna become angry; taking up fragments of the bow, they strike and kill the guards. Having slain Kaṃsa’s force, the brothers joyfully leave the hall and wander about, observing the city’s splendor. The residents, witnessing their wondrous valor, brilliance, confidence, and form, regard Krishna and Balarama as foremost among the gods. As the two wander freely, the sun sets. Krishna and Balarama, accompanied by the cowherds, return from the city to their wagon. The gopis, distressed by separation from Mukunda, offer sincere blessings in Mathura; gazing upon Krishna’s beauty, Lakshmi herself abandons others and desires only Him. With their feet washed and having eaten food mixed with milk, Krishna and Balarama spend 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 play of Govinda and Rama, is greatly disturbed. Sleepless and fearful, his mind troubled by evil omens, he describes many signs, both real and imagined, heralding the approach of death. He sees his own head missing in reflections, and even when it appears, it seems doubled; likewise, he sees duplicity in the stars. He perceives gaps in his shadow, cannot hear his own breath, sees gold in trees, and his footprints vanish. In dreams, he embraces the dead, rides a donkey, feels sorrow, wears garlands of nalada, is smeared with oil, and wanders naked. Seeing such omens, both in dreams and waking, terrified by the prospect of death, Kaṃsa cannot sleep, his mind filled with anxiety. When night passes and the sun rises, Kaṃsa arranges a grand festival of wrestling. Men decorate the arena, drums and trumpets sound, and platforms are adorned with garlands, flags, cloths, and arches, preparing for the events to come.