Akrūra, filled with reverence, approached Kṛṣṇa and Rāma. He bowed his head low, washed their feet with his own hands, and, his heart brimming with humility, began to speak to them. He said, “By great fortune, the wicked Kaṃsa and his followers have been destroyed, and our family, once beset by terrible distress, has been saved and restored by you both. Truly, you two are the Supreme Persons—the very cause and substance of the universe; nothing exists, high or low, apart from you. “This universe, which you yourselves have created, you also enter by your own divine powers, manifesting in countless wondrous forms, O Brahman—perceivable through scripture and direct experience. Just as in all beings, moving or unmoving, various forms appear in wombs such as mine, so too, O Lord, do you alone manifest in myriad ways within beings born from your own self, being utterly self-sufficient. “You create, destroy, and protect the universe through your powers of passion, darkness, and goodness. Yet, you are never bound by these qualities or actions, for you are the very Self of knowledge. How could there be any cause of bondage for you? Since your existence is not defined by body or any limiting adjuncts, you are untouched by difference; thus, for you, there is neither bondage nor liberation. May we never be confused about your true nature. “Whenever the ancient Vedic path is hindered by false doctrines and untruth, you manifest yourself, endowed with the quality of goodness, for the welfare of the world. Therefore, O Lord, today you have descended into the house of Vasudeva with your own divine portion, to remove the earth’s burden, destroy the armies of hostile kings, and spread the fame of this noble dynasty. “Today, O Lord, our dwellings are truly blessed, for you—who are the form of all gods, ancestors, beings, and men, whose foot-washing water purifies the three worlds, O teacher of the universe, Adhokṣaja—have entered them. What wise man would seek shelter elsewhere but you, who are dear to your devotees, whose words are true, who are the friend of all, grateful, and who grants all desires to those who worship you, indifferent to gain or loss for yourself? “O Janārdana, by great fortune you have appeared before us here, though even the lords of yoga and the gods find you hard to reach. Please, swiftly cut for us the bonds of delusion—attachment to children, wife, wealth, relatives, home, body, and so on—which are but your own māyā.” Having thus worshipped and praised by his devotee, the Blessed Lord Hari smiled at Akrūra, his words enchanting. The Lord said, “You are our teacher, our paternal uncle, ever-honored kinsman. We are to be protected, nourished, and shown compassion by you, for we are your dependents. Exalted souls like you, the best among the worthy, should always be served by those who seek their own good. Even the gods act for their own sake, but the virtuous do not. “Holy places are not truly sanctified by water, nor are gods merely images of clay and stone; it is the sight of the virtuous that purifies, even in a moment. You, being our well-wisher, are most capable of seeking our welfare. Therefore, for the sake of learning about the Pāṇḍavas, go now to Hastināpura. “We have heard that, after their father’s death, the children, with their mother, were brought to their own city by the king and now reside there, deeply distressed. Among them, the king, son of Ambikā, is not impartial toward his brother’s sons; surely, under the sway of his wicked son, his vision is clouded. Go and learn their present condition, whether good or bad; having understood, we will act so that the welfare of our friends may be secured.” Thus instructing Akrūra, Lord Hari, the Supreme Controller, departed to his own residence with Sankarṣaṇa and Uddhava. Thus ends the forty-eighth chapter of the first half of the Tenth Book of the Śrīmad Bhāgavata Mahāpurāṇa, the scripture for the paramahaṃsas. Śuka continued: Akrūra journeyed to Hastināpura, famed among the kings of the Paurava line. There he saw the son of Ambikā, along with Bhīṣma, Vidura, and Pṛthā. He also met Bāhlīka and his son, Bhāradvāja with Gautama, Karṇa, Suyodhana, Aśvatthāmā, the Pāṇḍavas, and other friends. The son of Gāndinī approached each relative as was fitting, was asked by them about the well-being of friends, and in turn inquired about their welfare. He remained there for some months, wishing to observe the conduct of the king, who was ill-advised, lacking substance, and following the wishes of the wicked. Akrūra saw that the king did not wish to see the brilliance, strength, valor, humility, and other virtues, nor the people’s affection for the sons of Pṛthā. All the wrongs done by the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra—including the poisoning and other misdeeds—were told to him in full by Pṛthā and also by Vidura. When Pṛthā saw her brother Akrūra had arrived, she approached him, her eyes filled with tears as she remembered her birthplace, and spoke: “O gentle one, do my parents, brothers, sisters, nephews, sisters-in-law, and friends still remember us? Does the illustrious Krishna, my cousin, refuge and beloved of His devotees, and Rama, the lotus-eyed, remember their maternal aunt’s children? In the midst of my co-wives, grieving like a doe among wolves, He will console me with words, and also comfort my children, who are bereft of their father. “Krishna, Krishna, great yogi, soul of the universe, creator of the world, protect me, O Govinda, who have taken refuge in You and am sinking together with my children. I see no other refuge for people than Your lotus feet, O Lord, who delivers from the fearful ocean of birth and death. Salutations to Krishna, the pure, the Supreme Spirit, the Supreme Soul, the Lord of yoga and embodiment of yoga; I have sought refuge in You.” Śuka said: Thus, remembering her relatives and Krishna, the Lord of the universe, your great-grandmother, O King, began to pray, afflicted with sorrow. The noble Vidura, impartial in happiness and distress, and the renowned Akrūra comforted Kunti with words of reason, speaking of the birth and destiny of her sons. When Akrūra was about to depart, he approached the ruler—who favored his own sons—and spoke among friends and relatives, prompted by goodwill: “O descendant of Vicitravīrya, you who increase the fame of the Kurus, now that your brother Pāṇḍu has departed, you have assumed the throne. By ruling the earth righteously, pleasing the people with virtue, and remaining impartial to your own, you will attain prosperity and fame.