Kaṅsa had been slain, but the turmoil in Mathurā was not yet stilled. In the heat of their grief and rage, Kaṅsa’s eight brothers—Kaṅka, Nyagrodhaka, and the rest—rushed forward, their hearts burning with the desire to avenge their fallen brother. But Rohiṇī’s mighty son, Balarāma, moved with the swiftness of a lion among lesser beasts. Brandishing his heavy club, he struck down each of Kaṅsa’s brothers, their fury no match for his strength. As the dust of battle settled, the heavens resounded with the deep roll of celestial drums. The gods, led by Brahmā and Śiva, looked on with delight. Flowers rained from the sky, and the gods offered their praises, while the women of the city danced in joy at the end of Kaṅsa’s tyranny. Yet, amidst this celebration, sorrow took root. The wives of Kaṅsa’s brothers, their hearts crushed by grief, approached the fallen heroes. Beating their heads and weeping, their eyes brimming with tears, they embraced their lifeless husbands where they lay. In voices sweet yet trembling with pain, they lamented again and again, pouring out their sorrow: “Alas, my lord, beloved, knower of righteousness, compassionate protector of the helpless! With you slain, we, our children, and our homes are destroyed. Deprived of you, this city, O best of men, is bereft of all beauty, just as we are—its festivals and auspiciousness ended.” Their grief turned to anguish as they cried, “You have committed a grievous wrong against innocent beings; O slayer of creatures, who, having brought us to this state, can find peace?” In their sorrow, they recognized the deep truth that for all beings, the cycle of creation and dissolution is the very foundation of existence, and that one who disregards the duty of protection can never find happiness. Seeing their pain, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Lord and creator of the worlds, comforted the royal women. He performed the proper funeral rites for the slain, honoring their worldly customs. Then, with his elder brother Balarāma, he released his mother Devakī and father Vasudeva from their long captivity. With great reverence, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma bowed low, touching their parents’ feet with their heads. Devakī and Vasudeva, now free and seeing their sons before them, recognized in them the very Lords of the universe. Receiving their sons’ reverence, they embraced them without fear, their hearts overflowing with joy. Śuka continued, “The Supreme Person, knowing his parents’ deepest wishes had been fulfilled, spread his own divine illusion, saying, ‘Do not grieve,’ and gently bewildered the minds of all present. Approaching their parents with humility, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma bowed and affectionately addressed them as ‘Mother’ and ‘Father,’ seeking to please them. Kṛṣṇa spoke with gentle love: ‘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 kept us apart, we could not dwell near you, nor did we know the happiness that children, cherished in their father’s house, usually enjoy. Even if a mortal lives a hundred years, he cannot repay his parents, from whom his very body—the source of all attainments—has been born and nourished. If a son, able in body and wealth, does not provide for his parents, after death he is made to eat his own flesh. One who, though able, neglects his aged parents, 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, forgive us, who were dependent and much afflicted by a cruel-hearted man, for not serving you as we should have.’ Hearing these words from the Lord of the universe, Devakī and Vasudeva were overcome. Their eyes filled with tears, they lifted Kṛṣṇa onto their laps, embracing him tightly. Bound by the deepest affection, their throats choked with emotion, and they could say nothing, their minds awhirl with love and wonder. Having thus comforted his parents, Kṛṣṇa, the son of Devakī, 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 the Yadus, Vrishnis, Andhakas, Madhus, Dasharhas, Kukuras, and others—relatives and kin who had been scattered and distressed in every direction by fear of Kaṃsa—were now honored by Kṛṣṇa. He comforted those wearied by exile in foreign lands, settled them in their own homes, and generously provided them with wealth. Protected by the strong arms of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, their hearts’ desires fulfilled, the people lived happily, freed from all distress. Day after day, they gazed with delight upon the lotus face of Mukunda, always radiant, beautiful, and beaming with a compassionate smile. Even the elders, in his presence, seemed youthful and full of vigor, their eyes drinking again and again the nectar of his lotus-like face. Then, O King, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma approached Nanda Mahārāja, their foster father from Vraja. They warmly embraced him, and Kṛṣṇa spoke with deep affection: ‘By you, our affectionate father, we were cherished and deeply cared for. Indeed, parents have even greater love for their children than for themselves. Those who nurture children abandoned by others and unable to care for themselves, do so as if they were their own sons. Please, father, return to Vraja; we will come to see you and our dear relatives, who are pained by affection, after ensuring the happiness of our friends here.’ Thus consoling Nanda and the people of Vraja, Achyuta honored them with gifts of fine clothing, ornaments, vessels, and more. Overwhelmed with affection, Nanda embraced both Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, his eyes brimming with tears, and departed for Vraja with the cowherds. Thereafter, Vasudeva arranged for the sacred thread ceremony for his two sons, performed by priests and brāhmaṇas according to tradition. He gave them generous gifts: cows adorned with gold necklaces, beautifully decorated, with calves and draped in fine cloth, and honored the priests with similar gifts. Those cows, which Vasudeva had mentally dedicated at the birth of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, he now gave, recalling how Kaṃsa had unlawfully taken them. Thus, peace and joy returned to Mathurā, as the hearts of the people were gladdened by the presence of the Lord and his brother, and the bonds of love were restored among all those who had suffered under Kaṃsa’s cruel reign.