Devakī and Vasudeva, who knew well that their sons were none other than the Lords of the universe, received their reverence with joy. Free from fear, they embraced Krishna and Balarama, their hearts overflowing with love. Seeing that his parents’ deepest wishes had been fulfilled, the Supreme Person, Krishna, employed his own divine power of illusion. He gently reassured them, saying, “Do not grieve,” and in doing so, bewildered the minds of those around him. Alongside his elder brother, the noble Balarama, Krishna approached his parents. The two brothers, the best among the Sātvatas, bowed respectfully before Devakī and Vasudeva, addressing them affectionately as “Mother” and “Father” to please them. 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 kept us apart, so we could not dwell near you. The happiness that children, cherished in their father’s house, usually enjoy, we did not experience.” He continued, “Even if a mortal lives a hundred years, he cannot repay his parents, from whom his body—the source of all attainments—is born and nourished. If a son, capable 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 anyone who has sought refuge, is as good as dead though living.” Krishna lamented, “For us, whose minds were always anxious because of Kaṃsa, these days 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.” Śuka continued: Thus, by the words of Hari, the Soul of the universe, who had assumed a human form through his divine power, Devakī and Vasudeva became deluded. Lifting Krishna onto their laps and embracing him, they attained great joy. Their eyes streamed with tears, and bound by the ties of affection, they could say nothing. Their throats were choked with emotion and their minds bewildered. Having thus comforted his parents, Krishna, the son of Devakī and Lord of all, installed his maternal grandfather, Ugrasena, 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 their relatives and kin—the Yadus, Vrishnis, Andhakas, Madhus, Dasharhas, Kukuras, and others—who had been distressed in every direction by fear of Kaṃsa, Krishna honored and comforted. Those wearied by exile in foreign lands he settled in their own homes, generously providing them with wealth. Protected by the arms of Krishna and Sankarshana (Balarama), their cherished wishes fulfilled, they lived happily in their homes, freed from all distress by Krishna and Rama. Day after day, delighted, they gazed upon the lotus face of Mukunda, always radiant, beautiful, and beaming with a compassionate smile. In that place, even the elders appeared youthful and full of vigor, repeatedly drinking with their eyes the nectar of Mukunda’s lotus-like face. Then, O King, Krishna, the son of Devakī, together with Sankarshana, approached Nanda and warmly embraced him. Krishna spoke tenderly: “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 (Krishna) respectfully honored them with clothing, ornaments, vessels, and other gifts. Overwhelmed with affection, Nanda embraced Krishna and Balarama, his eyes brimming with tears, and departed for Vraja along with the cowherds. Then, Vasudeva, son of Sura, arranged for the proper 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 who were similarly adorned. Those cows which Vasudeva had mentally dedicated at the birth of Krishna and Rama, he now gave, recalling that Kaṃsa had unlawfully taken them. Having thus received their initiation and attained the status of twice-born, the two noble sons undertook the vow of study under Garga and other family preceptors. Though Krishna and Balarama 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 Sandipani of Kashi, who lived in Avanti. Having properly approached their teacher with self-control, they served him blamelessly, learning from him with devotion, as if he were a god. The foremost of the twice-born, Sandipani, being pleased by their pure and devoted conduct, instructed them in all the Vedas with their branches and Upanishads, as their teacher. He taught them the secret Dhanurveda, the principles of righteousness and the paths of justice, as well as the science of reasoning and the sixfold science of royal governance. Krishna and Balarama, initiators of all knowledge and best among men, comprehended everything at once, merely from a single utterance. In just sixty-four days and nights, they mastered all those arts. Then, as their teacher’s fee, they asked Sandipani what he desired. Observing their wondrous and superhuman intelligence, Sandipani, after consulting with his wife, requested as their fee the return of his son who had died at Prabhasa in the great ocean. Agreeing, Krishna and Balarama, of mighty valor, ascended their great chariot, reached Prabhasa, approached the shore, and sat for a moment. The ocean, recognizing them, brought offerings of respect. The Lord spoke: “O Ocean, quickly give the son who was swallowed here by you, seized by a great wave.