When the renowned wrestlers fell in battle and the king of the Bhojas, Kaṃsa, was overcome with agitation, he abruptly silenced his musicians and issued furious commands. “Drive those two wicked sons of Vasudeva out of the city,” he ordered. “Seize the wealth of the cowherds and bind Nanda, that evil-minded man. Kill Vasudeva, that wicked one, at once, along with the finest horses—and slay Ugrasena, my father, who sides with the enemy, together with his followers.” As Kaṃsa boasted in his rage, the imperishable Lord, angered, leapt swiftly onto the high platform. Seeing the Lord approaching—his own death personified—Kaṃsa, resolute, sprang from his seat and snatched up his shield and sword. He moved about with his weapon, circling swiftly like a hawk in the sky. Yet the Lord, whose energy is irresistible and fierce, seized him with great force, just as Garuḍa might seize a serpent. Grabbing Kaṃsa by the hair so that his crown shook, the lotus-naveled Lord hurled him from the high platform down onto the arena. Then, the Lord himself, refuge of the universe and self-dependent, fell upon Kaṃsa from above. Hari dragged Kaṃsa’s lifeless body across the ground, as one would drag an elephant, while the whole world watched. A great cry of “Alas! Alas!” arose from the people, O King. Kaṃsa, whose mind had always been anxious—whether eating, speaking, moving, sleeping, or breathing—saw before him the Lord wielding the discus. Thus, he attained that very form of the Lord, so difficult to obtain. Kaṃsa’s eight brothers—Kaṅka, Nyagrodhaka, and the rest—rushed forward, enraged and seeking vengeance for their brother’s death. Then Rohiṇī’s son, Balarāma, struck them down with his club, as a lion would strike down beasts. The drums resounded in the sky, and the divine powers led by Brahmā and Śiva, delighted, showered flowers upon the Lord, praised him, and the women danced in joy. Meanwhile, the wives of Kaṃsa and his brothers, afflicted by grief for their beloveds, approached, beating their heads, their eyes brimming with tears. Embracing their husbands as they lay upon the heroes’ beds, the women lamented in sweet voices, again and again releasing their sorrow. They cried, “Alas, lord, beloved, knower of righteousness, compassionate protector of the helpless! With you slain, we and our children and households are destroyed. Deprived of you, our husband, this city, O best of men, is bereft of beauty, just as we are, with all festivals and auspiciousness ended. You have committed a grievous wrong against innocent beings; therefore, O slayer of creatures, who, having brought us to this state, can find peace? For all beings here, this indeed is the source of creation and dissolution; and as the protector, one who disregards this never attains happiness anywhere.” Śuka said: The Lord, creator of the worlds, comforted the royal women and performed for the slain the customary funeral rites. Then, having released his mother and father from their bonds, Kṛṣṇa and Rāma bowed to them, touching their feet with their heads. Devakī and Vasudeva, recognizing their sons as Lords of the universe, after receiving their reverence, embraced them without fear. Śuka continued: The Supreme Person, knowing that his parents’ desires had been fulfilled, spread his own deluding power, saying, “Do not grieve,” bewildering the minds of all present. Approaching his parents with his elder brother, the best of the Sātvatas, he bowed respectfully and, to please them, addressed them affectionately as “Mother” and “Father.” He said, “O Father, though you and Mother always longed for us, your sons, we were never able to spend our childhood, boyhood, or youth with you. Because fate prevented us, we could not dwell near you; the happiness that children, cherished in their father’s house, usually enjoy, we did not experience. Even if a mortal lives a hundred years, he cannot repay his parents from whom his body, the source of all attainments, is born and nourished. If a son, able in body and wealth, does not provide for the livelihood of his parents, after death he is made to eat his own flesh. One who, while able, neglects his aged mother and father, virtuous wife, young child, teacher, brāhmaṇa, or one who has sought refuge, is as good as dead though living. For us, whose minds were always anxious because of Kaṃsa, these days passed in vain, without worshipping your feet. Therefore, O Father and Mother, you should forgive us, who were dependent and much afflicted by a cruel-hearted man, for not serving you.” Śuka said: Thus, by the words of Hari, the Soul of the universe, who had assumed a human form through his māyā, Devakī and Vasudeva were deluded; lifting him onto their laps and embracing him, they attained joy. Flooded with streams of tears and bound by the ties of affection, they could say nothing, O King, their throats choked with emotion and their minds bewildered. Having thus comforted his parents, the son of Devakī, the Lord, installed Ugrasena, his maternal grandfather, as king over the Yadus. He said, “O great king, you should command us and the people; because of Yayāti’s curse, the Yadus must not sit on the royal throne. When I, your servant, am present, even the gods and others bow down and offer tribute—what then of other human kings?” All their own relatives and kin—the Yadus, Vrishnis, Andhakas, Madhus, Dasharhas, Kukuras, and others—who had been distressed in every direction by fear of Kaṃsa, he honored and comforted. He settled those wearied by exile in their own homes, generously providing them with wealth. Protected by the arms of Krishna and Sankarshana, their cherished wishes fulfilled, the people lived happily in their homes, freed from all distress by Krishna and Rama. Day after day, delighted, they gazed upon the lotus face of Mukunda, always radiant, beautiful, and beaming with a compassionate smile. There, even the elders appeared youthful and full of great vigor, repeatedly drinking with their eyes the nectar of Mukunda’s lotus-like face.