Because your true nature is not defined by the body or any limiting attributes, you stand beyond all differences, untouched by bondage or liberation. Let there never be any confusion about your reality for us. Whenever the ancient path of the Vedas is blocked by false doctrines and untruth, you manifest yourself, adorned with the quality of goodness, for the welfare of the world. Thus, O Lord, today you have descended into the house of Vasudeva with your own portion, to lighten the burden of the earth, destroying the armies of hostile kings, and spreading the glory of this noble dynasty. Our homes are truly sanctified today, for you, who are the embodiment of all gods, ancestors, beings, and men, whose foot-washing water purifies the three worlds, and who are the teacher of the universe, Adhokṣaja, have entered them. What wise man would seek shelter elsewhere but you? You are dear to your devotees, your words are always true, you are a friend to all, grateful, and you fulfill the desires of those who worship you, yet gain and loss mean nothing to you. By great fortune, O Janārdana, you have appeared before us, though even the greatest yogis and gods find you hard to reach. Please, swiftly cut the bonds of delusion for us—our attachments to children, spouse, wealth, relatives, home, body, and so forth—which are all your own māyā. Thus worshipped and praised by his devotee, the Blessed Lord Hari smiled and spoke to Akrura, enchanting him with his 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 seeking their own good. Even the gods act for their own sake, but the virtuous do not. Holy places are not sanctified by water alone, nor are gods mere clay or stone images—it is the sight of the righteous that purifies, even in a moment. You, 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 city by the king and now live 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 condition, whether good or bad. Once you understand, we will act to secure our friends’ welfare.” Having thus instructed Akrura, 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: Having gone to Hastināpura, famed among the Paurava kings, Akrura saw there the son of Ambikā, along with Bhīṣma, Vidura, and Pṛthā. He also met Bāhlīka with his son, Bhāradvāja with Gautama, Karṇa, Suyodhana, Aśvatthāmā, the Pāṇḍavas, and other friends. As was proper, the son of Gāndinī approached each relative, was asked by them about the well-being of friends, and in turn inquired about their welfare. Akrura stayed for a few months, keen to observe the conduct of the king, who was ill-advised, lacking substance, and swayed by the wicked. He saw that the king did not delight in the virtues—brilliance, strength, valor, humility, and the people’s affection—of the sons of Pṛthā. All the wrongs suffered by Pṛthā’s sons at the hands of Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons, including poisoning and other misdeeds, were fully recounted to him by Pṛthā and by Vidura. Seeing her brother Akrura arrive, Pṛthā approached him, her eyes brimming with tears as she remembered her home, 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, who is the refuge and beloved of his devotees, and Rama, the lotus-eyed, remember their maternal aunt’s children? Among 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! I 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, Kunti—your great-grandmother, O King—prayed, her heart heavy with sorrow. The noble Vidura, impartial in happiness and distress, and the renowned Akrura, comforted Kunti with words about the birth and fortune of her sons. When it was time for him to depart, Akrura 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 say of wife, sons, and others. A being is born alone and dies alone; alone one enjoys the results of good deeds, and alone also suffers the results of evil. Wealth acquired unrighteously is seized by others of little intelligence, just as leeches drink water under the pretense of friendship. He who, lacking wisdom, supports others unrighteously by his own judgment, finds that his life, wealth, sons, and others abandon him unfulfilled. Having taken on sin himself, abandoned by those for whom he was not wise in wealth, he, failing in his purpose, enters blind darkness, turning away from his own duty.” Thus did Akrura fulfill his mission, carrying out the will of the Lord and the welfare of all.