If a son, though strong in body and possessing wealth, fails to care for the livelihood of his parents, then after death he is condemned to a terrible fate—forced to eat his own flesh. And one who, despite being capable, neglects his aged mother and father, his virtuous wife, his young child, his teacher, a brāhmaṇa, or anyone who has sought his refuge, is as good as dead even while he lives. For us, said Krishna and Balarama, our minds were always troubled by the fear of Kaṃsa, and so the days slipped by in vain, without our being able to worship your feet as we should have. Therefore, O Father and Mother, please forgive us. We were helpless, suffering under the cruelty of a hard-hearted man, and thus could not serve you as is proper. Śuka continued the narration: Thus, by the words of Lord Hari—the Soul of the universe, who had taken human form through his divine power—Krishna’s parents were bewildered in mind. Yet, lifting Krishna onto their laps, embracing him tightly, they were filled with overwhelming joy. Tears streamed from their eyes, and bound by the deepest affection, they could not utter a word; their throats were choked with emotion, their hearts awash with wonder. After comforting his parents in this way, Krishna, the son of Devakī and the Lord of all, installed his maternal grandfather, Ugrasena, as king over the Yadus. He said, “O great king, you should rule over us and the people. Because of the curse of Yayāti, the Yadus may not sit upon the royal throne. When I, your servant, am present, even the gods and others bow down and pay tribute—what need to speak of other human kings?” All the kinsmen—the Yadus, Vrishnis, Andhakas, Madhus, Dasharhas, Kukuras, and others—who had suffered in every way from the fear of Kaṃsa, Krishna honored with kindness. He comforted those wearied by exile in foreign lands and restored them to their own homes, generously providing them with wealth. Protected by the strong arms of Krishna and Sankarshana, all their cherished wishes fulfilled, they lived happily in their homes, freed from every distress by Krishna and Rama. Day after day, filled with delight, they gazed upon the lotus-like face of Mukunda, always radiant and beautiful, beaming with a compassionate smile. In that place, even the elders appeared youthful and full of vigor, as they drank again and again with their eyes the nectar of Mukunda’s lotus face. Then, O King, Krishna, the son of Devakī, together with Sankarshana, approached Nanda and warmly embraced him, speaking with heartfelt affection: “By you, our loving father, we were cherished and cared for beyond measure. Truly, parents have even greater love for their children than for themselves. And those fathers and mothers who nurture children abandoned by others and unable to care for themselves, do so with the same love as if they were their very own.” He continued, “Please, father, return to Vraja. We will come to see you and our dear relatives, who are pained by longing, once we have assured the happiness of our friends here.” Thus did Achyuta console Nanda and the people of Vraja, honoring them respectfully with gifts of clothing, ornaments, vessels, and other treasures. Overwhelmed with affection, Nanda embraced Krishna and Balarama, his eyes brimming with tears, and departed for Vraja together with all the cowherds. Then, O King, Vasudeva, the son of Sura, arranged for the sacred thread ceremony of his two sons, performed by priests and brāhmaṇas according to tradition. He gave as gifts cows adorned with golden necklaces, beautifully decorated, with calves and draped in fine cloth, honoring the priests with similar offerings. The very cows that wise Vasudeva had mentally dedicated at the birth of Krishna and Rama, but which Kaṃsa had unlawfully seized, he now gave, remembering his vow. Having thus received their initiation and attained the status of the twice-born, Krishna and Balarama undertook the vow of study under Garga and other family preceptors. Though they are themselves 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 dwelled 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 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, the paths of justice, the science of reasoning, and the sixfold science of royal governance. Krishna and Balarama, the 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. When it was time to offer their teacher’s fee, they asked their preceptor what he wished. Witnessing their wondrous and superhuman intelligence, the twice-born, after consulting with his wife, asked for the return of his son who had died at Prabhasa in the great ocean. Agreeing, Krishna and Balarama, mighty in valor, ascended their chariot and journeyed to Prabhasa. There, they approached the shore and sat for a moment, and the ocean, recognizing them, came forth with offerings of respect. The Lord spoke: “O Ocean, quickly return 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 these 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 emerged from its body, he returned to his chariot and then traveled to the city called Samyamani, the beloved abode of Yama, Lord of Death. Arriving there, Janardana, together with his weapons, sounded the conch. Hearing its mighty blast, Yama, the restrainer of beings, took notice. He came forth and offered them great worship, enhanced by devotion, bowing to Krishna, the abode of all beings’ hearts, and said, “O Vishnu, who acts in human form, what shall we do for you both?” The Blessed Lord replied, “The son of our teacher, brought here by the bonds of his own deeds, O great king, bring him forth, commanded by my order.