Adorned with garlands and filled with joy, Krishna and Balarama, surrounded by their companions, looked upon the one who had humbly bowed and surrendered to them. Pleased, the two divine brothers offered him a boon. With a heart full of devotion, he asked for unwavering love for the all-pervading Self, deep friendship with the Lord’s devotees, and supreme compassion for all living beings. Hearing this noble request, Krishna and Balarama granted him not only the boon he desired, but also wealth that would increase his family’s prosperity, along with strength, long life, fame, and splendor. Having thus blessed him, the Lord departed with His elder brother, bringing to a close the chapter known as “Entry into the City” in the great Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, the scripture revered by the supreme renunciates. Śuka continued his narration: Soon after, Krishna showed favor to Kubjā, broke the mighty bow, and prepared the wrestling arena. As Mādhava walked along the royal road, he noticed a young woman carrying a vessel of fragrant ointment. This was Kubjā, a maiden with a lovely face, whose gait was marked by a hunch. Seeing her, Krishna, smiling with delight, approached and spoke to her with gentle curiosity. “O beautiful one, who are you? What is this fragrant ointment you bear? Whose maidservant are you? Please tell us. Would you kindly apply this excellent ointment to our limbs? By doing so, your good fortune will soon blossom.” The woman, known as Sairandhri, replied, “O handsome one, I am a maidservant approved by Kaṃsa, and my name is Trivakra. My task is to prepare ointments, which are especially dear to the Bhoja king. Besides you two, who else is truly worthy of them?” Captivated by the brothers’ beauty, charm, sweet smiles, gentle words, and graceful glances, Kubjā applied the rich ointment to both Krishna and Balarama. The ointment, shining with a hue different from their own, made the two appear even more radiant and attractive. Pleased by her devotion, Krishna resolved to reward Kubjā and display the fruit of beholding Him. Placing His feet upon hers and gently lifting her chin with His hand, Acyuta drew her up, straightening her hunchbacked form. At His touch, Kubjā was instantly transformed—her body became straight and beautiful, her hips broad, and her form exquisite. Now endowed with beauty, virtue, and generosity, Kubjā, her desire awakened, smiled and tugged at Krishna’s upper garment. “Come, hero,” she said, “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 their companions looked on, replied, “O lovely-browed one, who captivates the hearts of men, I will come to your house. When our purpose here is fulfilled, you will be the refuge for us wanderers.” With these sweet words, Krishna continued on his way down the merchant’s road, accompanied by Balarama. The people of Mathura honored them, bringing gifts of betel, garlands, and perfumes. The women of the city, overwhelmed by the sight and memory of Krishna, lost all self-awareness—their clothes, hair, and bangles slipping as if they were painted figures come to life. Krishna, known as Acyuta, then inquired about the location of the great bow and entered the place where it was kept. There, he beheld the wondrous bow, radiant like Indra’s own, guarded by many men and worshipped for its splendor. Though the guards tried to restrain him, Krishna forcefully took up the bow. With his left hand, he effortlessly lifted and strung it before the eyes of all. Drawing it back, the mighty Krishna snapped the bow in two, just as an elephant breaks a stalk of sugarcane. The thunderous sound of the bow breaking filled the sky, earth, and all directions. Hearing it, Kaṃsa was seized with dread. In a fury, the guards and their followers rushed at Krishna, shouting, “Catch him! Kill him!” Realizing their hostile intent, Balarama and Krishna grew angry, seized fragments of the broken bow, and struck down their assailants. Having vanquished Kaṃsa’s force, the two brothers joyfully left the hall and wandered about, admiring the splendor of the city. The citizens, witnessing their extraordinary valor, brilliance, confidence, and divine form, began to regard Krishna and Balarama as foremost among the gods. As the sun set, Krishna and Balarama, along with the cowherds, left the city and returned to their wagon. Meanwhile, the gopis, distressed by separation from Mukunda, offered heartfelt blessings from Mathura. Gazing upon Krishna’s beauty, even Lakshmi herself abandoned all others, desiring only him. That evening, after their feet were washed and they had eaten food mixed with milk, Krishna and Balarama rested happily, fully aware of Kaṃsa’s intentions. Kaṃsa, however, was deeply disturbed upon hearing of the bow’s destruction, the death of his guards, and the extraordinary deeds of Govinda and Rama. Sleepless and fearful, he was haunted by evil omens, both real and imagined, which seemed to herald his impending death. He saw his own head missing in reflections, and when it did appear, it seemed doubled. The stars appeared deceptive, his shadow showed gaps, he could not hear his own breath, and he saw gold shining in trees. His footprints vanished without trace. In dreams, he embraced the dead, rode a donkey, felt sorrow, wore garlands of nalada, was smeared with oil, and wandered naked. Terrified by these omens, both in dreams and waking, Kaṃsa could not sleep, his mind consumed with anxiety. When night had passed and the sun rose, he resolved to hold a grand wrestling festival. The arena was lavishly decorated—drums and trumpets sounded, and platforms were adorned with garlands, flags, colorful cloths, and arches. People from the city and countryside, along with the leaders of Brahmins and Kshatriyas, entered and took their places according to their status. The kings sat in their designated seats. Kaṃsa, surrounded by his ministers and regional rulers, took his seat on the royal platform, his heart agitated. As the trumpets and drums resounded, the wrestlers, splendidly adorned and brimming with pride, entered the arena with their teachers, prepared for the events that were about to unfold.