Śuka continued his narration, describing how, through the words of Hari—the Soul of the universe who had assumed a human form by his own divine power—the assembled elders and relatives were gently led into illusion. Delighted, they lifted Krishna onto their laps and embraced him, their hearts overflowing with joy. So intense was their affection that streams of tears poured from their eyes, binding them in love. Their voices failed them, King Parikshit; their throats were choked with emotion and their minds bewildered, unable to utter a word. After comforting his parents, Krishna, the son of Devaki and Lord of all, took a decisive step. He installed Ugrasena, his maternal grandfather, as king over the Yadus. Turning to Ugrasena, Krishna said, “O great king, you should command us and the people, for the Yadus are barred from the royal throne by Yayāti’s curse.” He added, “When I, your servant, am present, even the gods and others bow down and pay tribute—what then of mere human kings?” Krishna then honored all their relatives—the Yadus, Vrishnis, Andhakas, Madhus, Dasharhas, Kukuras, and others—who had been distressed in every direction by fear of Kamsa. He comforted those weary from exile in foreign lands, settled them in their own homes, and generously provided them with wealth. Protected by the strong arms of Krishna and Sankarshana, their cherished wishes fulfilled, the people lived happily in their homes, freed from all distress by Krishna and Rama. Day after day, they delighted in gazing upon the lotus-like face of Mukunda, always radiant, beautiful, and beaming with a compassionate smile. Even the elders seemed youthful and vigorous, repeatedly drinking with their eyes the nectar of Mukunda’s lotus face. Then, O King, Krishna, son of Devaki, along with Sankarshana, approached Nanda. They warmly embraced him and spoke: “By you, our affectionate father, we were cherished and deeply cared for. Truly, parents love their children even more than themselves.” They continued, “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. Overwhelmed with affection, Nanda embraced Krishna and Balarama, his eyes brimming with tears, and departed for Vraja with the cowherds. Next, Vasudeva, son of Sura, arranged for the proper sacred thread ceremony for his two sons. Priests and brahmins performed the rituals according to tradition. Vasudeva gave them gifts: cows adorned with gold necklaces, well-decorated and draped in fine cloth, with calves, honoring the priests who were similarly adorned. The cows which Vasudeva had mentally dedicated at the birth of Krishna and Rama, he now gave, recalling how Kamsa had unlawfully seized them. Having received their initiation and attained the status of twice-born, Krishna and Balarama 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. Properly approaching their teacher with self-control, they served him blamelessly, learning from him with devotion, as if he were a god. Their pure and devoted conduct pleased their teacher, the foremost of the twice-born, who instructed them in all the Vedas with their branches and Upanishads. He also taught them the secret Dhanurveda, the principles of righteousness and justice, the science of reasoning, and the sixfold science of royal governance. These two best among men, 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 consulted with his wife and 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, and approached the shore. 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 the demon, but did not find the boy within its belly. Taking the conch that had arisen from its body, he returned to his chariot and went to the city called Samyamani, beloved of Yama. Arriving there, Janardana, together with his weapons, sounded the conch. Hearing its loud blast, Yama, the restrainer of beings, took notice. Yama offered them great worship, enhanced by devotion, bowed 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.” Yama said, “So be it,” and brought forth the teacher’s son to Krishna and Balarama. After giving him to their teacher, they again asked Sandipani to choose a boon. The revered teacher replied, “My dear ones, you have fully repaid your teacher’s fee; what desire could remain for a teacher such as yours? Return home, O heroes. May your fame be pure; may the Vedas you have learned remain with you here and hereafter.” Thus permitted by their teacher, Krishna and Balarama returned to their city in their chariot, swift as the wind, with a sound like thunderclouds.