The king of the Barhadratha line, having faced defeat at the hands of the Yadus, found himself overcome not by weapons or force, but by pure words and even simple glances—such was the power of the Yadus, and such was the consequence of his own past actions. With his formidable army utterly destroyed, the king, disregarded by the Blessed Lord Krishna, departed for Magadha, his mind troubled and heavy with sorrow. Meanwhile, Krishna—Mukunda—stood unscathed, having crossed the ocean of enemy forces. As he returned victorious, the gods themselves showered him with flowers and sang his praises from the heavens. The people of Mathura, now freed from fear and full of joy, rushed to greet him. Charioteers, bards, and minstrels sang songs of his triumph, filling the city with celebration. As Krishna entered Mathura, the air resounded with the triumphant blasts of conch shells, the deep beat of drums, and the stirring notes of trumpets and horns. Lyres, flutes, and mridangas played in harmony to welcome the Lord. The streets had been sprinkled clean, the people were radiant with happiness, flags fluttered everywhere, Vedic chants echoed through the air, and beautifully decorated gateways adorned the city’s entrances. Women honored Krishna with garlands, offerings of yogurt, and sprouting grains, their eyes full of loving eagerness as they gazed upon him. All the wealth and treasures won in battle—ornaments that had belonged to fallen heroes—were gathered and presented by Krishna to the king of the Yadus. But the threat was not over. The king of Magadha, Jarasandha, with a force as vast as seventeen akshauhinis, repeatedly attacked the Yadus. Yet, protected by Krishna’s brilliance, the Vṛṣṇis destroyed every army he sent. When his own troops were slain and his allies abandoned him, Jarasandha had no choice but to withdraw. As the eighteenth battle loomed, a new danger arose: a mighty hero sent by Narada, the Yavana, appeared with three million barbarian soldiers and laid siege to Mathura. In all the world, none could match his power, and he had come seeking worthy opponents, having heard of the strength of the Vṛṣṇis. Seeing this, Krishna, accompanied by his brother Sankarshana, thought deeply: “A great calamity has come upon the Yadus from both sides. Today the Yavana besieges us, and soon the king of Magadha will arrive as well. If Jarasandha comes while we are engaged in battle, he may either slay our kinsmen or, being powerful, carry them off to his city. Therefore, we must build a fortress that no man can approach. There, after settling our people safely, we will confront and destroy the Yavana.” With careful deliberation, Krishna created a wondrous city within the sea, a fortress twelve yojanas wide. Its construction revealed the skill of Tvaṣṭṛ, the divine architect—streets, crossroads, and avenues were laid out according to sacred principles. The city was adorned with celestial trees and gardens, marvelous groves, golden towers reaching to the sky, crystal mansions, and ornate gateways. Silver and gold turrets gleamed, treasuries were crowned with golden jars, houses sparkled with jewels, and vast emerald platforms shone in the sunlight. Within this city were the homes of the guardians of the directions and the residences of beloved women. People of all four varṇas filled the city, and the dwellings of the Yadu heroes shone brightly. Indra sent the Sudharmā assembly hall and the Pārijāta tree, granting the city a heavenly quality where even mortals were freed from mortal limitations. Varuṇa gifted swift, mind-like horses, white as the moon; the lord of treasures gave eight treasuries; the guardians of the worlds offered all their opulence. All the lordship and perfection granted by Krishna to these deities was now returned to him as he descended to earth. By his yogic power, Krishna brought all the people of Mathura into this new city. After consulting with Balarama, the protector of the people, Krishna, garlanded with lotuses and unarmed, left the city gate. Śuka then described the scene: As Krishna emerged, he shone like the rising moon, supremely beautiful, dark in complexion, and clad in yellow silk. The mark of Śrīvatsa adorned his chest, the Kaustubha gem gleamed at his throat, his form was broad and tall, four-armed, and his eyes resembled fresh red lotuses. Ever joyful, his cheeks were rounded, his smile pure, his face lotus-like, and his brilliant earrings shaped like makaras. This was truly Vāsudeva, the four-armed, lotus-eyed Lord, adorned with a forest garland and surpassing all in beauty. The Yavana, recalling the signs described by Narada, recognized that none other could be Krishna. Resolving to fight him unarmed, the Yavana pursued Krishna as he appeared to flee—though Krishna is unattainable even to the greatest yogis. Like a man chasing his own shadow, the Yavana was led step by step by Krishna, who always remained just out of reach, into a mountain cave. As he followed, the Yavana taunted Krishna, saying, “Flight does not befit a prince of the Yadu line!” But no matter how he tried, he could not catch him. Krishna entered the cave, and the Yavana followed, only to find another man lying inside. Mistaking this man for Krishna, thinking, “He has been brought far away and now lies here like a saint,” the foolish Yavana struck the sleeper with his foot. The man, who had slept for a long time, slowly awoke, opened his eyes, and looked around. When his gaze fell upon the Yavana, a fire born of his own anger instantly reduced the Yavana to ashes. King Parikshit then asked Śuka, “O brāhmaṇa, who was that man? Of what lineage and power? Why was he sleeping in the cave, and what was the brilliance that destroyed the Yavana?” Śuka replied, “He was born in the Ikṣvāku dynasty, the great son of Māndhātṛ, renowned as Mucukunda. He was devoted to the brāhmaṇas and steadfast in truth. Long ago, the hosts of gods, led by Indra, had begged him to protect them from the asuras, and for a long time, he performed that noble duty.