With deep reverence and affection, Krishna spoke to his father, Vasudeva, expressing the sorrow that weighed on his heart. “O Father,” he said, “though you and Mother always longed for us, your sons, fate kept us apart. We were never able to spend our childhood, boyhood, or youth with you. Because destiny prevented us, 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 very 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, though 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 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, Hari, the Soul of the universe, who had assumed a human form through his divine power, deluded their hearts with his affection. Vasudeva and Devakī, overwhelmed, lifted Krishna onto their laps and embraced him, finding a joy beyond words. Flooded with streams of tears and bound by the ties of love, they could say nothing, their throats choked with emotion and their minds bewildered. Having thus comforted his parents, Krishna, the son of Devakī and Lord of all, installed Ugrasena, his maternal grandfather, as king over the Yadus. He addressed him with respect: “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 mighty arms of Krishna and Sankarshana, their cherished wishes fulfilled, the Yadus lived happily in their homes, freed from all distress. Day after day, delighted, they gazed upon the lotus face of Mukunda, always radiant, beautiful, and beaming with a compassionate smile. In that presence, even the elders appeared youthful and full of vigor, drinking again and again with their eyes the nectar of Mukunda’s lotus-like face. Then, O King, Krishna, the son of Devakī, along with Sankarshana, approached Nanda and warmly embraced him. 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 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 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. Afterwards, Vasudeva, the son of Sura, 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 who were similarly adorned. The very cows which Vasudeva had mentally dedicated at the birth of Krishna and Balarama, but which Kaṃsa had unlawfully taken, he now gave, recalling his vow. 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 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 Sandipani of Kashi, who lived in Avanti. With self-control, they approached their teacher properly 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 Upanishads. 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. Those two, best among men and initiators of all knowledge, 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 their preceptor 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 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.” The Ocean replied, “O Lord, I did not take him; the great demon Panchajana, who dwells in the waters in the form of a conch, seized him, O Krishna.” Hearing this, Krishna swiftly entered the water, slew that being, but did not find the boy within its belly. Taking the conch that had arisen from its body, he returned to his chariot and then went to the city called Samyamani, beloved of Yama.