O Brahman, you alone have created this vast universe, and with your own divine powers, you enter into it, manifesting yourself in countless forms, perceivable to us through hearing and direct experience. Just as every living being, moving or unmoving, appears in various forms from different wombs—like mine—so too, O Lord, you alone manifest in myriad ways within all beings born from yourself, entirely self-dependent. You create, protect, and destroy the universe by your own powers—passion, darkness, and goodness. Yet, you remain untouched by these qualities and their actions, for you are the very self of knowledge. How could there be any cause of bondage for you? Your existence is not defined by body or any limiting adjunct; you are beyond all differences. Thus, for you, there is neither bondage nor liberation. May we never be confused about your true nature. Whenever the ancient Vedic path is obstructed 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 portion, to lighten the burden of the earth, destroy the armies of hostile kings, and bring glory to this dynasty. Today, O Lord, our homes are truly blessed, for you, who are the form of all gods, ancestors, beings, and men, whose foot-washing water sanctifies the three worlds, O teacher of the universe, Adhokṣaja, have entered them. What wise man would seek shelter anywhere but you—you who are dear to your devotees, whose words are always true, who are a friend to all and grateful, who grants all desires to those who worship you, and for whom gain and loss are meaningless? By great fortune, O Janārdana, you have appeared before us, though even the lords of yoga and the gods find you difficult to reach. Please, swiftly cut the bonds of delusion for us—the attachments to children, wife, wealth, relatives, home, body, and so forth—which are your own māyā. Thus worshipped and praised by his devotee, the Blessed Lord Hari smiled, enchanting Akrura with his gentle words. The Lord said, “You are our teacher, paternal uncle, and ever-honored kinsman. We are to be protected, nourished, and shown compassion by you, for we are your dependents. Exalted souls like you, best among the worthy, should always be served by those who seek their own good. 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 and 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. Once you have understood, we will act to secure the welfare of our friends.” Thus instructing Akrura, Lord Hari, the Supreme Controller, departed to his own residence along with Sankarṣaṇa and Uddhava. So 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: Akrura journeyed to Hastināpura, renowned among the kings of the Paurava line. There he saw the son of Ambikā, along with Bhīṣma, Vidura, and Pṛthā. He also saw Bāhlīka with his son, Bhāradvāja with Gautama, Karṇa, Suyodhana, Aśvatthāmā, the Pāṇḍavas, and other friends. The son of Gāndinī approached each relative appropriately, was asked by them about the well-being of friends, and in turn inquired about their welfare. He stayed there for a few months, observing the conduct of the king, who was ill-advised, lacking in substance, and swayed by the wicked. Akrura noticed that the king did not wish to see the brilliance, strength, valor, humility, and other virtues of the Pāṇḍavas, 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 recounted to him in detail by Pṛthā and also by Vidura. When Pṛthā saw her brother Akrura arrive, her eyes filled with tears as she remembered her birthplace, and she spoke to him: “O gentle one, do my parents, brothers, sisters, nephews, sisters-in-law, and friends still remember us? Does the illustrious Krishna, my cousin, who is the 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 comfort my children who are bereft of their father. “O 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.” 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 Akrura, comforted Kunti with reasons related to the birth of her sons. As Akrura prepared to return, he approached the king, who was partial to 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. Otherwise, if you act differently, you will be condemned and fall into darkness. Therefore, remain impartial toward the Pāṇḍavas and your own sons. “In this world, O King, no one has perpetual association with anyone—not even with one’s own body, what to speak of wife, sons, and others. A being is born alone and dies alone; alone one enjoys the results of good deeds, and alone also the results of evil.” Thus, Akrura faithfully carried out the Lord’s message and fulfilled his duty, bringing comfort and wise counsel to the afflicted and reminding the king of righteousness and impartiality.