The king of the bears, Jāmbavān, gazed upon Kṛṣṇa and spoke with reverence, “I know you are the very life, vigor, strength, and power of all beings—Viṣṇu himself, the ancient and supreme Lord, master of all. You are the creator of the creators, that which exists among the created; you are Time, the sovereign over those who measure, the supreme Self, and the self within all selves. By the mere sidelong glance of your eyes, even if tinged with anger, the ocean was stirred, a path revealed, a bridge was built, Lanka’s fame was made to shine, and the heads of demons fell to the earth, shattered by your arrows.” Recognizing the Lord thus, Jāmbavān, king of the bears, addressed Achyuta, the son of Devakī. Then, lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa, his voice deep as a raincloud, touched Jāmbavān with his hand and spoke with utmost compassion: “O king of bears, I have come to your cave for the sake of the jewel, to clear myself of the false accusation, with this very jewel as proof.” Hearing these words, Jāmbavān, filled with joy and respect, offered his own daughter Jāmbavatī and the precious jewel to Kṛṣṇa, honoring him as the Lord. Meanwhile, the people outside, having seen Śauri (Kṛṣṇa) enter the cave and not emerge, waited anxiously for twelve days. When he did not appear, they returned to their city in sorrow. News of Kṛṣṇa’s absence brought grief to Devakī, the queen, along with Rukmiṇī, Vasudeva, their friends, and all their relatives. The citizens of Dvārakā, overwhelmed with sorrow, cursed Satrājit, blaming him, and approached the goddess Candra-bhāgā, Durgā, to seek news of Kṛṣṇa. Moved by their worship, the goddess blessed them, and soon Hari, his purpose accomplished and accompanied by his new wife, appeared before them, bringing immense joy. Seeing Hṛṣīkeśa return, adorned with the jewel and with his wife by his side, the people rejoiced as if witnessing someone return from death itself. Festivities erupted throughout the city. Kṛṣṇa then summoned Satrājit into the royal assembly and, in the presence of the king, recounted the recovery of the jewel and returned it to him. Satrājit, greatly ashamed, took back the gem and returned home, tormented by the weight of his own misdeeds. Consumed by remorse and inner conflict, he pondered, “How can I cleanse myself of this sin and please Acyuta? What should I do so that people do not see me as petty, foolish, or greedy?” Resolving upon the proper course, he decided, “I will give him my daughter, a jewel among women, along with the gem itself. There is no better way to seek his forgiveness.” Thus resolved, Satrājit personally brought his virtuous daughter Satyabhāmā and the jewel to Kṛṣṇa and offered them both. The Lord duly married Satyabhāmā, renowned for her character, beauty, and noble qualities, though sought by many. Yet the Lord said, “We do not accept the jewel, O King. Let it remain with you, a devotee of the gods, while we partake of its benefit.” Some time later, Śuka continued, the Supreme Person, accompanied by his attendants such as Yuyudhāna, went to Indraprastha to see the Pāṇḍavas. When Mukunda, the Lord of all, arrived, the heroic sons of Pāṇḍu rose together, as if life itself had returned to them. They embraced Acyuta, and the touch of his limbs freed them from all distress. Beholding his affectionate, smiling face, they rejoiced. Kṛṣṇa offered obeisance at the feet of Yudhiṣṭhira and Bhīma, embraced Arjuna, and was honored by the twin brothers, Nakula and Sahadeva. Draupadī, recently married and somewhat bashful, approached and respectfully greeted Kṛṣṇa, who was seated on the chief seat. Satyaki, too, was honored by the Pāṇḍavas and took his seat, as did the other attendants. Kṛṣṇa then approached Kuntī, offered his salutations, and was embraced by her with eyes moist from deep affection. He inquired about her welfare, that of her daughters-in-law, her sister, and all her relatives. Kuntī, recalling their many hardships and the vision of the Self that comes after suffering, spoke to him with a voice choked by love and eyes filled with tears. “Only when we gained you as our protector did our well-being arise. Remembering our kin, O Kṛṣṇa, my brother was sent to you. For you, who are the friend and the Self of all, there is no confusion of ‘us’ and ‘them’; yet, dwelling in the heart, you always dispel the sorrows of those who remember you.” Yudhiṣṭhira then said, “What good have we left undone, O Lord? For you, who are rarely seen even by the masters of yoga, have been seen by us, who are of little wisdom.” Thus requested by the king, Kṛṣṇa stayed there for several months, delighting the people of Indraprastha with his presence. One day, Arjuna, the conqueror, mounted his chariot bearing the banner of Hanuman, took up his Gāṇḍīva bow and inexhaustible quivers, and, together with Kṛṣṇa, fully armed, entered a great forest teeming with wild beasts, seeking to enjoy the sport of hunting. There, with his arrows, Arjuna struck tigers, boars, buffaloes, antelopes, sarabhas, wild oxen, rhinoceroses, deer, hares, and porcupines. Their attendants brought those sanctified animals to the king as the festival approached. Parched with thirst and weary, Arjuna went to the Yamunā River. After performing purification and drinking the clear water, the two mighty warriors, Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, saw a maiden of enchanting beauty wandering nearby. Approaching her, Arjuna, at Kṛṣṇa’s bidding, questioned her, “Who are you, O slender-waisted one? Whose daughter are you, and from where do you come? What is your purpose? I think you seek a husband. Tell me everything, O beautiful one.” The maiden replied, “I am Kālindī, daughter of the sun-god Sūrya. I seek a husband and have undertaken severe austerities, desiring Viṣṇu, the bestower of boons, as my chosen lord.