Seizing Kamsa by the hair, his crown shaking loose, Krishna hurled him down from the high royal platform onto the arena floor. Then, the Lord himself—the lotus-naveled refuge of the universe, self-dependent and supreme—leapt upon Kamsa from above. With the demon king slain, Hari dragged his lifeless body across the ground, just as one might drag a fallen elephant, while all the assembled people looked on in shock and awe. A great cry of “Alas! Alas!” rose up from the crowd, O King, as the world witnessed this momentous event. Kamsa, whose mind had always been restless—whether eating, speaking, moving, sleeping, or even breathing—had ever before his eyes the vision of the Lord bearing the discus weapon. Thus, at the moment of his death, he attained that very form of the Lord, a state exceedingly difficult to reach. But Kamsa’s eight brothers—Kaṅka, Nyagrodhaka, and the others—overcome with rage, rushed forward to avenge their brother’s death. At that moment, Rohiṇī’s son, Balarama, with the speed of a lion, struck them down with his mighty club, felling them as a lion would strike down wild beasts. Celestial drums resounded in the sky, and the divine beings led by Brahmā and Śiva, filled with joy, showered flowers upon Krishna, praised him, and the women of the heavens danced in celebration. Meanwhile, the wives of Kamsa and his brothers, stricken with grief at the loss of their beloved husbands, approached, beating their heads in sorrow, their eyes brimming with tears. Embracing their fallen husbands as they lay upon their heroes’ beds, the women lamented in sweet, plaintive voices, again and again pouring out their grief: “Alas, lord, beloved, knower of righteousness, compassionate protector of the helpless! With you slain, we and our children and our households are destroyed. Deprived of you, our husband, this city, O best of men, is bereft of all beauty, just as we are—its festivals and auspiciousness have ended. You have committed a grievous wrong against innocent beings; O slayer of creatures, who, having brought us to this state, can find peace? For all beings, this is the very source of creation and dissolution; and as protector, one who disregards this never finds happiness anywhere.” Śuka continued: The Lord, creator of all worlds, comforted the royal women, and performed for the slain the customary rites of funeral and honor. Then, Krishna and Balarama released their mother and father from captivity, bowing to them and touching their feet with their heads in deep reverence. Devakī and Vasudeva, recognizing their sons as the very Lords of the universe, received their respectful homage and embraced them without fear, their hearts overflowing with love. Śuka said: The Supreme Person, seeing that his parents’ deepest desires had been fulfilled, spread his own divine deluding power, saying, “Do not grieve,” thus bewildering the minds of all people. Approaching their parents together, Krishna and his elder brother, the best of the Sātvatas, bowed with respect and, to please them, addressed them with affection as “Mother” and “Father.” Krishna spoke: “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. Fate prevented us from dwelling near you, and 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 fully repay his parents, from whom his body—the source of all attainments—was 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, though able, neglects his aged mother and father, virtuous wife, young child, teacher, brāhmaṇa, or one who has sought refuge, is as good as dead even while living. For us, whose minds were always anxious because of Kaṃsa, these days have passed in vain, without worshipping your feet. Therefore, O Father and Mother, please forgive us, who were helpless and much afflicted by a cruel-hearted man, for not serving you as we should have.” Śuka said: Thus, by the words of Hari, the Soul of the Universe, who had assumed a human form through his divine power, Devakī and Vasudeva were enchanted. Lifting Krishna onto their laps and embracing him, they were filled with boundless joy. Tears streamed from their eyes, and, overwhelmed by the strong bonds of affection, they could say nothing—their throats choked with emotion, their minds bewildered. Having thus comforted his parents, Krishna, son of Devakī and Lord of all, 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 upon 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 the Yadus, Vrishnis, Andhakas, Madhus, Dasharhas, Kukuras, and others—their own kin—who had suffered in every direction from fear of Kamsa, Krishna honored and comforted. He welcomed those who had been exiled or made destitute, settled them in their own homes, and generously provided them with wealth. Protected by the strong arms of Krishna and Sankarshana, their cherished wishes fulfilled, they lived happily, freed from all distress by the presence of Krishna and Rama. Day after day, filled with delight, they gazed upon the radiant, lotus-like face of Mukunda, always beaming with a compassionate smile. Even the elders, in that atmosphere, appeared youthful and vigorous, again and again drinking with their eyes the nectar of Mukunda’s beautiful face. Then, O King, Krishna, son of Devakī, together with Sankarshana, approached Nanda and warmly embraced him, speaking with deep affection: “By you, our loving father, we were cherished and cared for. Indeed, parents love their children even more than themselves. That father and mother who nurture children abandoned by others and unable to care for themselves, do so as if they were their very own. Please, father, return to Vraja; we will come to see you and our dear relatives, who are pained by longing, after we have ensured the happiness of our friends here.” Thus consoling Nanda and the people of Vraja, Achyuta honored them with clothing, ornaments, vessels, and many gifts. Overwhelmed with affection, Nanda embraced Krishna and Balarama, his eyes brimming with tears, and then departed for Vraja along with the cowherds, hearts full of love and longing.