As Nārada entered the city, he beheld its avenues, streets, squares, and bustling marketplaces, each clearly distinguished and beautifully laid out. Elegant halls and assembly chambers stood side by side with celestial temples, their presence lending an air of majesty to the city. The roads, courtyards, alleys, and thresholds were freshly sprinkled with water, and colorful flags and banners fluttered above, shielding the people from the sun’s glare. Within the city, the inner chambers of the mansions shone with splendor, cherished by all the householders. In these abodes, the divine artistry of Hari was fully evident—so exquisite that it seemed as if Tvaṣṭṛ, the celestial craftsman himself, had fashioned them. Nārada entered one among the sixteen thousand beautifully adorned palaces, each a magnificent residence belonging to one of Śauri’s wives. This palace was supported by pillars of coral, its floors paved with the finest lapis lazuli. The walls were made of sapphire, and the ground gleamed with a brilliance beyond compare. Overhead, canopies crafted by Tvaṣṭṛ hung, their strings of pearls swaying gently. Seats and couches were adorned with precious gems and ivory, radiating opulence. The palace was alive with attendants: maidservants in splendid garments, though without necklaces, and men dressed in fine robes, with sashes, turbans, and jeweled earrings. The darkness of the chambers was dispelled by the glow of jeweled lamps. On the varied balconies, peacocks danced, and the air was fragrant with incense and sacred offerings. In some corners, those of keen intellect sang loudly as they saw the sage’s arrival. Amidst thousands of maidservants, all equal in beauty, youth, and attire, the sage saw the queen herself, gently fanning the Lord of the Sātvatas with a golden-handled camara. Beholding the sage, the Blessed Lord—greatest among upholders of dharma—at once rose from his couch. He bowed his crowned head at Nārada’s feet and, with hands joined in reverence, welcomed the sage to his own seat. The Lord washed the sage’s feet and, though he is the supreme teacher of the world and lord of the virtuous, he placed that sacred water upon his own head. For the purity of the sage’s feet, known as Brahmaṇyadeva, is the ultimate holy place. Having thus honored the foremost of divine sages, the ancient ṛṣi Nārāyaṇa—friend of Nara—spoke to him with gentle, measured words, as tradition prescribes: “O Lord, what may we do for you, O Blessed One?” Śrī Nārada replied, “It is no wonder in you, O master of all worlds, that you show friendship to all, and self-restraint toward the wicked. For the welfare of the world, you maintain and protect it through your free descents, O praised one, as we well know. Having seen your feet, which grant liberation and are contemplated in the hearts of Brahmā and others of profound wisdom, and which support those fallen into the well of worldly existence, I wander, meditating—grant me your grace, that remembrance may arise.” On another day, Nārada entered the house of another of Kṛṣṇa’s wives, desiring to understand the wondrous yoga-māyā of the lord of yogis. There he found Kṛṣṇa engaged in a game of dice with his beloved and Uddhava. Even here, the Lord honored Nārada with supreme devotion—rising, offering a seat, and serving him with all due rites. Kṛṣṇa then inquired, as if unaware, “When did you arrive, O Lord? What could those like us, who are incomplete, do for those who are complete?” He also asked Nārada to speak of his beautiful birth. Astonished, Nārada rose and silently went to another house. There, too, he saw Govinda delighting his young sons. In another mansion, Kṛṣṇa was preparing for his bath. Elsewhere, he was seen offering oblations into sacrificial fires, performing sacrifices with five kinds of rituals, feeding the brāhmaṇas in some places, and in others, eating what remained. In some homes, he sat at twilight, reciting the Veda with controlled speech. In others, he walked the paths of archers, bearing sword and shield. At times, he traveled with horses, elephants, and chariots, accompanied by Balarāma; elsewhere, he reclined on a couch, being praised by bards. In some places, he consulted with ministers like Uddhava; in others, he engaged in water sports, surrounded by the foremost women of the palace. Somewhere, he was giving well-adorned cows to the leading brāhmaṇas; elsewhere, he listened to auspicious stories and Purāṇas. Sometimes, he laughed at home with his beloved through humorous tales; elsewhere, he was engaged in dharma, and in other places, in pursuits of wealth and desire. In one place, he sat alone, meditating on the Supreme Person beyond nature; elsewhere, he served his teachers with pleasures and offerings. In some places, Keśava was seen making treaties with some, and in others, making war; elsewhere, together with Rāma, he contemplated the welfare of the virtuous. At the proper time, he arranged the marriages of his sons and daughters with spouses equal to them, providing them with suitable wealth. He observed great festivals for his children, such as their departure and initiation ceremonies. Witnessing all this, the worlds were astonished at the Lord of the yogis. In some places, he worshipped all the gods with powerful sacrifices; elsewhere, he fulfilled dharma by establishing wells, gardens, monasteries, and similar works. Sometimes, he was seen hunting, riding a Sindhu horse, surrounded by the foremost of the Yadus, and performing the ritual killing of sacrificial animals. With his unmanifest form, the Lord of yoga moved among the various residences of the inner apartments and elsewhere, desiring to experience the many states of existence. Having seen this wondrous display of yoga-māyā and the human-like conduct assumed by the Lord, Nārada, smiling, addressed Hṛṣīkeśa: “We know your yoga-māyā, which is difficult to perceive even for those skilled in illusion. It shines forth from you, the Lord of yogis, through service at your feet. Permit me, O Lord, to depart for the worlds flooded with your fame; I will wander, singing your playful deeds that purify the universe.” The Blessed Lord replied, “I am the speaker and agent of the duties of householders, acting with their approval; by teaching this, I have taken up this world—do not grieve, my son.” Śuka continued: Thus, as Kṛṣṇa practiced the pure duties that sanctify householders, Nārada saw the Lord present in every home, the one abiding everywhere. Repeatedly witnessing the great manifestation of yoga-māyā in Kṛṣṇa, whose power is limitless, the sage was filled with astonishment and curiosity. Thus, honored fully by Kṛṣṇa, who was ever devoted to the duties of wealth, pleasure, and righteousness, Nārada departed, his mind filled only with thoughts of the Lord, pleased and content. Thus, following the path of human life, Nārāyaṇa—whose power is taken up for the sake of all beings—enjoyed himself among sixteen thousand chosen wives, surrounded by their bashful, friendly glances and smiles. Whatever actions Hari performed here—actions that are the cause of the creation and dissolution of the universe, and have no other object—whoever, dear one, sings, hears, or approves of them, devotion arises for the Lord on the path of liberation.