After the downfall of Kaṁsa, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma at once released their parents, Devakī and Vasudeva, from their bonds. With deep reverence, the two brothers bowed low before them, touching their parents’ feet with their heads. Recognizing that their sons were none other than the Lords of the universe, Devakī and Vasudeva received this worship and, now free of fear, embraced Kṛṣṇa and Rāma with all their hearts. Śukadeva continued: The Supreme Person, seeing that his parents’ dearest wishes had been fulfilled, spread his own enchanting power. With gentle words—“Do not grieve”—he bewildered the minds of all, concealing his true nature as he approached his parents with his elder brother, the best among the Sātvatas. Bowing respectfully, he sought to please them, addressing them with affection: “Mother. Father.” “O Father,” Kṛṣṇa said, “though you and Mother always longed for us, your sons, fate kept us apart. We could not spend our childhood, boyhood, or youth with you as other children do. The happiness that sons, 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 very source of all attainments—is born and nourished. If a son, able in body and wealth, does not support his parents, after death he is made to eat his own flesh. One who, though able, neglects his aged mother and father, a 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 Kaṁsa, these days passed in vain, without worshipping your feet. Therefore, O Father and Mother, please forgive us, who were dependent and much afflicted by a cruel-hearted man, for not serving you as we should.” Thus, by the words of Hari—the Soul of the universe who had assumed a human form through his own māyā—Devakī and Vasudeva were charmed and deluded. Lifting Kṛṣṇa onto their laps and embracing him, they were filled with immeasurable joy. Tears streamed from their eyes, and bound by the ties of affection, they could say nothing—their throats choked with emotion and their minds overcome. Having thus comforted his parents, Kṛṣṇa, the son of Devakī and the 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 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?” He then gathered all their relatives and kin—the Yadus, Vṛṣṇis, Andhakas, Madhus, Daśārhas, Kukuras, and others—who had been scattered and distressed in every direction by fear of Kaṁsa. Kṛṣṇa honored them all, comforting those wearied by exile, and settled them in their own homes, generously providing them with wealth. Protected by the strong arms of Kṛṣṇa and Saṅkarṣaṇa, their cherished wishes fulfilled, these families lived happily in their homes, freed from all distress by the presence of Kṛṣṇa and Rāma. Day after day, delighted, they gazed upon the radiant lotus face of Mukunda, always beautiful and beaming with a compassionate smile. In that blessed city, even the elders appeared youthful and full of vigor, their eyes drinking again and again the nectar of Mukunda’s lotus-like face. Then, O King, Kṛṣṇa, the son of Devakī, together with Saṅkarṣaṇa, approached Nanda Mahārāja, their foster father. They warmly embraced him, and Kṛṣṇa spoke: “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 gifts of clothing, ornaments, vessels, and other treasures. Overwhelmed with affection, Nanda embraced Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, his eyes brimming with tears, and then departed for Vraja along with the cowherds. Afterward, Vasudeva, the son of Sura, arranged for the sacred thread ceremony for his two sons. Priests and brāhmaṇas performed the rites according to tradition. Vasudeva gave them gifts: cows adorned with gold necklaces and fine cloth, each with a calf, and he similarly honored the priests. The very cows Vasudeva had mentally dedicated at the birth of Kṛṣṇa and Rāma—though taken by Kaṁsa—he now gave, recalling his vow. Having thus received their initiation and attained the status of twice-born, the noble sons 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, behaving as ordinary humans. Desiring to reside in a teacher’s house, they approached Sāndīpani of Kāśī, who lived in Avanti. With self-control, they properly approached their teacher and served him blamelessly, learning from him with devotion as if he were a god. Pleased by their pure and devoted conduct, the foremost of the twice-born instructed them in all the Vedas with their branches and Upaniṣads. He taught them the secret Dhanurveda, the principles of righteousness and justice, the science of reasoning, and the sixfold science of royal governance. Those two best among men, initiators of all knowledge, grasped everything at once—merely from a single utterance. In just sixty-four days and nights, they mastered all these arts. Then, as their teacher’s fee, they asked their preceptor what he desired. Observing their wondrous and superhuman intelligence, Sāndīpani, after consulting with his wife, asked for the return of his son, who had died at Prabhāsa in the great ocean. Agreeing, the two mighty brothers ascended their great chariot, journeyed to Prabhāsa, approached the shore, and sat for a moment. Recognizing them, the ocean himself appeared, bearing offerings of respect.