Whenever the ancient Vedic path is threatened—when false teachings and untruth cloud its light—it is you, O Lord, who take birth in the world, endowed with the pure quality of goodness, for the welfare of all beings. And so, today, you have descended into the house of Vasudeva, bringing your own divine portion, to lift the earth’s burden. You destroy the armies of hostile kings and spread the fame of your noble dynasty. Our homes are truly blessed today, for you, O Lord, have entered them. You are the very form of all gods, ancestors, and living beings; you are the teacher of the universe, Adhokṣaja, whose foot-washing water purifies the three worlds. What wise person would seek shelter anywhere else but you? You are dear to your devotees, your words are always true, you are a friend to all, grateful, and the giver of all desires to those who worship you. For you, gain and loss mean nothing. 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, quickly cut for us the bonds of delusion—attachment to children, wife, wealth, relatives, home, body, and all else—which are your own māyā. Thus worshipped and praised by his devotee, the blessed Lord Hari smiled and spoke to Akrura, enchanting him with his words. He 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 just 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, together 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 Akrura, Lord Hari, the Supreme Controller, departed to his own residence, accompanied by Sankarṣaṇa and Uddhava. Here 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, having gone to Hastināpura, famed among the kings of the Paurava line, saw there 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 as appropriate, was asked by them about the well-being of friends, and in turn inquired about their welfare. He stayed there for a few months, wishing to learn the conduct of the king, who was ill-advised, lacking substance, and following the wishes of the wicked. Akrura observed 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 related to him in full by Pṛthā and also by Vidura. Pṛthā, seeing her brother Akrura arrived, 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, 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 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 Akrura comforted Kunti with reasons related to the birth of her sons. As Akrura was about to depart, he approached the ruler, who was partial to his own sons, and spoke among friends and relatives, prompted by goodwill. Akrura said, “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 in this world, 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. Wealth acquired unrighteously is seized by others of little intelligence, just as leeches take water under the pretext 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. Therefore, O King, seeing this world as a dream, illusion, and fantasy, know yourself by yourself, and be equal-minded and peaceful, O master.