In the aftermath of Kaṃsa’s fall, the royal women, overwhelmed with grief, confronted the slayer of their kin, lamenting, “You have committed a grievous wrong against innocent beings; O slayer of creatures, who, having brought us to this state, can find peace?” They reminded all that for every living being, the cycle of creation and dissolution springs from such acts, and that the protector who disregards this sacred duty never finds happiness anywhere. Śuka recounts that the Lord, creator of the worlds, gently comforted the grieving women and performed the customary funeral rites for the slain, honoring worldly tradition. Then, Krishna and Rama released their parents, Devakī and Vasudeva, from their bonds. With reverence, they bowed to them, touching their feet with their heads. Devakī and Vasudeva, recognizing their sons as the Lords of the universe, received their homage and embraced them, their hearts free from fear. Understanding that his parents’ deepest wishes had now been fulfilled, the Supreme Person, Krishna, spread his own divine power of illusion, gently saying, “Do not grieve,” thus bewildering the minds of those present. Approaching his parents with his elder brother, the best among the Sātvatas, Krishna bowed respectfully and addressed them affectionately as “Mother” and “Father,” seeking to please them. “O Father,” Krishna said, “though you and Mother always longed for us, your sons, we could never spend our childhood, boyhood, or youth with you. Fate kept us apart, denying us the happiness that children, cherished in their father’s home, usually enjoy. Even if a mortal lives for 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 his parents’ livelihood, 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, please forgive us, who were dependent and afflicted by a cruel-hearted man, for not serving you.” By the words of Hari, the Soul of the universe, who had assumed a human form through his divine power, Devakī and Vasudeva were deluded. They lifted Krishna onto their laps and embraced him, filled with joy. Streams of tears flowed, and bound by the ties of affection, they could say nothing—their throats choked with emotion and their minds bewildered. Having comforted his parents, Krishna, 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 bow down and offer tribute—what then of other human kings?” All their relatives—the Yadus, Vrishnis, Andhakas, Madhus, Dasharhas, Kukuras, and others—who had been distressed by fear of Kaṃsa, were honored by Krishna. He comforted those wearied by exile, settled them in their own homes, and generously provided them with wealth. Protected by the arms of Krishna and Sankarshana, their cherished wishes fulfilled, they lived happily, freed from all distress. Day after day, they delighted in gazing upon the lotus face of Mukunda, always radiant and beaming with a compassionate smile. Even the elders seemed youthful and vigorous, repeatedly drinking with their eyes the nectar of Mukunda’s lotus-like face. Then, Krishna, along with Sankarshana, approached Nanda and warmly embraced him, saying, “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 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 clothing, ornaments, vessels, and other gifts. Nanda, overwhelmed with affection, embraced them both, his eyes brimming with tears, and departed for Vraja with the cowherds. Afterward, Vasudeva arranged for the sacred thread ceremony for his two sons, performed by priests and brāhmaṇas according to tradition. He gave them gifts: cows adorned with gold necklaces, well-decorated, with calves and draped in fine cloth, honoring the priests similarly. He recalled the cows he had mentally dedicated at the birth of Krishna and Rama, which Kaṃsa had unlawfully taken, and now gave them as promised. Having thus received their initiation and attained the status of twice-born, Krishna and Rama undertook the vow of study under Garga and other family preceptors. Though they are the source of all knowledge and all-knowing Lords of the universe, they concealed their flawless wisdom, behaving 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, the foremost among the twice-born, instructed them in all the Vedas with their branches and Upanishads. He taught them the secret Dhanurveda, the principles of righteousness and justice, the science of reasoning, and the sixfold science of royal governance. Krishna and Rama, initiators of all knowledge, comprehended everything at once, merely from a single utterance, O King.