As the aftermath of Kamsa’s death settled over Mathura, a sorrowful wail rose from the royal women. They lamented, “Alas, lord, beloved, knower of righteousness, compassionate protector of the helpless! With you slain, we and our children and households are destroyed.” Their grief filled the palace, for they knew that, bereft of their husband—their protector and the best among men—the city itself had lost all its beauty, just as they had. All festivals and auspiciousness seemed to have come to an end. In their anguish, they cried out, “You have committed a grievous wrong against innocent beings! O slayer of creatures, who, having brought us to this state, can find peace?” They recognized that for all beings, the husband is the source of creation and dissolution, the very protector of the family. One who disregards this sacred duty never attains happiness anywhere. Witnessing their distress, the Lord—creator of the worlds—offered comfort to the royal women. He performed the customary funeral rites for the slain, honoring worldly tradition and easing their pain. Then, Krishna and Balarama, having freed their mother Devaki and father Vasudeva from their long captivity, approached them with deep reverence. They bowed low, touching their parents’ feet with their heads. Devaki and Vasudeva, now free, beheld their sons not just as children, but as the very Lords of the universe. No longer afraid, they embraced Krishna and Balarama with great affection, their hearts overflowing. Śuka continued: The Supreme Person, perceiving that his parents’ deepest desires were fulfilled, spread his own divine illusion, saying, “Do not grieve,” gently bewildering the minds of all, so that worldly bonds might be sweetened and softened. With Balarama at his side, Krishna approached his parents, bowed respectfully, and addressed them with loving words: “Mother, Father, though you always longed for us, we were never able to spend our childhood, boyhood, or youth with you. Fate kept us apart, and so we could not enjoy the happiness that children, cherished in their father’s house, usually know. Even if a mortal lives a hundred years, he cannot repay the debt to 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 Kamsa, these days have 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 as we ought.” Hearing these words from Hari, the Soul of the universe—who had assumed a human form through his divine power—Devaki and Vasudeva were enveloped in loving delusion. Lifting Krishna onto their laps and embracing him, they were filled with boundless joy. Tears streamed from their eyes, their throats choked with emotion, and their minds were so overwhelmed with affection that they could not speak. Having comforted his parents, Krishna, the son of Devaki, then installed his maternal grandfather, Ugrasena, as king over the Yadus. He said, “O great king, you should command us and the people, for 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?” Krishna honored all his relatives—the Yadus, Vrishnis, Andhakas, Madhus, Dasharhas, Kukuras, and others—who had been scattered and distressed by fear of Kamsa. He comforted those who had suffered exile, settled them in their own homes, and gave them generous gifts of wealth. Protected by the strong arms of Krishna and Balarama, their cherished wishes fulfilled, the Yadus lived happily, free from all distress. Day after day, they gazed with delight upon the radiant, lotus-like face of Mukunda, always beaming with a compassionate smile. So enchanting was his presence that even the elders seemed youthful and vigorous, their eyes drinking deeply the nectar of his beauty. Then, Krishna and Balarama approached Nanda, their foster father from Vraja. They warmly embraced him, and Krishna spoke with heartfelt gratitude: “By you, our affectionate father, we were cherished and deeply cared for. Indeed, parents have even greater love for their children than for themselves. That father and mother who nurture children abandoned by relatives, 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, Krishna consoled Nanda and the people of Vraja, respectfully honoring them with gifts of clothing, ornaments, vessels, and more. Overwhelmed with love, Nanda embraced Krishna and Balarama, his eyes brimming with tears, and then departed for Vraja with the cowherds. Afterwards, Vasudeva arranged for the sacred thread ceremony of his two sons, performed by priests and brāhmaṇas according to tradition. He gave them gifts: cows adorned with gold necklaces, draped in fine cloth, with calves, and honored the priests as well. Vasudeva also gave those cows which he had mentally dedicated at the birth of Krishna and Balarama, recalling that Kamsa had unlawfully taken them. Having thus received their initiation and attained the status of twice-born, Krishna and Balarama undertook the vow of study under Garga and other family preceptors. Though they are the source of all knowledge, all-knowing and Lords of the universe, they concealed their flawless wisdom and behaved as ordinary humans. Desiring to reside in a teacher’s house, they approached Sandipani of Kashi, who lived in Avanti. With self-control, they served their teacher blamelessly, learning from him with devotion, as if he were a god. Pleased by their pure and devoted conduct, Sandipani, foremost among the twice-born, instructed them in all the Vedas, their branches, and the Upanishads, as their true teacher. Thus, Krishna and Balarama fulfilled their duties as sons and disciples, honoring their elders and uplifting their people, all while embodying the highest ideals of dharma and love.