Inspired by the Lord’s descent for the protection of dharma and the welfare of the world, the assembled divinities and sages, guided by his presence, understood the mysteries of the seven realms. They recognized him as the primordial, unique Person—the transcendent fourth beyond all, self-seeing, cause and causeless. Though he appears in the world, he remains unchanged, manifesting all qualities by his own power. Just as the sun, hidden by its own shadow, projects both shadow and forms, so the Lord, concealed by his own qualities, illuminates those qualities and all beings who possess them. He is the boundless light of the self. Yet, those whose minds are deluded by his maya become attached to children, spouses, homes, and other worldly things, rising and sinking in the ocean of misfortune. If, after attaining this precious human birth, one with uncontrolled senses does not honor the Lord’s feet, he is to be pitied, for he deceives himself. One who abandons the Lord, his own beloved self, and pursues sense objects, forsaking nectar for poison, is truly misguided. Brahma, the gods, and the sages of pure mind had all surrendered themselves to the Lord, their dearest, with their whole being. They worshipped him, the cause of creation, sustenance, and dissolution, equal, tranquil, friend, self, and god—the sole, nondual source of the universe—for liberation from birth and death. Then, one among them spoke: “This one is dear to me, beloved, obedient; I have granted him fearlessness, O Lord. Let your favor be bestowed upon him, just as you showed mercy to the lord of the daityas.” The Blessed Lord replied, “O revered one, whatever you say, I shall do what pleases you; whatever you decide, that is agreeable and approved by me.” He revealed, “This son of Virocana, an asura, is not to be slain even by me; a boon was granted to Prahlada, so neither he nor your lineage shall be killed by me. To humble his pride, I have broken his arms; his vast army—which burdened the earth—has been destroyed by me. Four of his arms remain; he will be ageless and immortal, chief among your attendants, and, O asura, he shall have no fear from anywhere.” Thus, having received fearlessness, the asura bowed his head to Krishna, placed Pradyumna on the chariot with his wife, and brought him forward. Surrounded by a division of his army, adorned in fine garments and ornaments, with his wife beside him, he departed, honored by Rudra. He entered his royal city, splendid with flags, gateways, and guarded crossroads, amid the sounds of conch, trumpet, and drum, welcomed by citizens, friends, and the twice-born. It is said that whoever remembers Krishna’s victory and his battle with Shankara, rising in the morning, will never suffer defeat. Thus ends the sixty-third chapter, entitled “The Bringing of Aniruddha,” in the tenth canto, second half, of the holy Bhagavata Mahapurana, the scripture of the supreme swan. *** Śrī Śuka continued, “O best of the Kurus, Lord Balarāma, eager to see his dear friends, mounted his chariot and went to Nanda’s Gokula. The cowherds and cowherd women, who had longed for him, embraced him for a long time. Rāma bowed to his parents and was joyfully blessed by them. ‘May you and your brother, O Lord of the universe, protect us always, O Dāśārha,’ they said, lifting him onto their laps, embracing him, and bathing him with tears from their eyes. He respectfully greeted the elder cowherds, who were seated according to custom, each according to their age, friendship, and relationship to himself. Then, approaching the cowherd men, with laughter, handshakes, and other gestures, those who had gathered around asked him, as he sat comfortably at ease. And he, in turn, asked after their well-being and that of their families, his voice choked with affection, for in Kṛṣṇa, whose eyes are like lotus petals, all their burdens had been placed. ‘O Rāma, are all your relatives well? Do you, with your wives and children, still remember us?’ they asked. ‘By good fortune, the wicked Kaṃsa has been slain; by good fortune, your friends have been freed; by good fortune, having defeated your enemies, you have taken shelter in a stronghold.’ The cowherd women, delighted by the sight of Rāma, laughed and asked, ‘Is Kṛṣṇa, beloved of the city women, living happily? Does he remember his relatives, his father and mother? Will he ever come, even once, to see his mother? Or does that mighty-armed one remember our service to him?’ They lamented, ‘For whose sake, O Dāśārha, did you, O Lord, abandon your mother, father, brothers, husbands, sons, and even sisters—your dearest kin? He left us suddenly, severing our bonds of affection. How, then, could such a one be trusted by women to keep his word? How could the women of the city, wise as they are, accept the words of one so inconstant and ungrateful? Yet, enchanted by his charming stories, smiles, glances, and sighs, they do accept him, lovesick as they are.’ ‘What use is there for us, O cowherd women, in talking of him? Let us speak of other things. Time passes for us in his absence, if it passes for him as it does for us.’ Remembering the playful words, the lovely glances, the movements, and the loving embraces of Śauri, the women wept. Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa, skilled in many ways of persuasion, comforted them with heartfelt messages from Kṛṣṇa. There, Rāma stayed for two months—Madhu and Mādhava—bringing delight to the gopīs during the nights. Bathed in the light of the full moon, with the fragrance of night-blooming lotuses carried by the breeze, he enjoyed himself in the groves by the Yamunā, surrounded by groups of women who served him. Sent by Varuna, the goddess Varuni emerged from the hollow of a tree, and as she descended, her fragrance filled the entire forest. Bala inhaled the scent of the honey-stream, carried by the wind, and approached there, drinking together with the women, using his tongue. As Gandharvas sang, in a circle adorned by beautiful women, the lord of the elephant herd enjoyed himself, like Indra among elephants. Drums resounded in the sky, flowers rained down in joy, and Gandharvas and sages praised Rama for his deeds.