In the royal assembly, wise Brahmins, well-versed in the knowledge of Brahman, sat and recounted the noble histories of virtuous kings from times past. Their tales filled the hall with reverence and inspiration, as the gathered listeners basked in the glory of dharma upheld by those who came before. Amidst this atmosphere, a man of extraordinary appearance arrived at the gates. The doorkeepers, recognizing his importance, announced his presence to Bhagavan Krishna, and he was ushered into the assembly. With joined palms, he bowed deeply to Krishna, the Supreme Lord, and then addressed the assembled kings, sharing troubling news: Jarasandha, the powerful king of Magadha, was causing great distress by imprisoning those who refused to submit to his conquests. Twenty groups of ten thousand kings were being held captive in his city, Girivraja. The captive kings, their hearts filled with fear and divided minds, cried out: “Krishna, Krishna! Immeasurable soul, destroyer of the fears of those who seek refuge—we have come to you for shelter, terrified by worldly existence. The world is steeped in unrighteousness, heedless of virtue, yet our suffering leads us to worship you. Whoever, strong as he may be, suddenly ends the hope of life for the sleepless—salutations to him.” They continued, “O Lord, you have descended for the protection of the righteous and the subjugation of the wicked. Who can defy your command, O Master? Who truly attains the fruit of their actions? We do not know. The happiness of kings is like a dream, dependent on others and always burdened by fear. We bear the yoke of a life as good as dead, forsaking the happiness found in the self, which is attainable without anxiety through you. How pitiable we are, deluded by your māyā in this world.” “Therefore,” they pleaded, “may you, whose feet remove the sorrow of those who take refuge, release us from the fetters of the Magadhan’s deeds. You alone, possessing the strength of ten thousand elephants, restrained the king who, like a lion among beasts, has confined us in his palace. His pride was unwavering, and he delighted in conquering the world, yet he was defeated by you repeatedly—O Lord of infinite power—when you broke his noble disc in battle twenty-two times. Now he afflicts your people; O unconquered one, please act accordingly.” The messenger concluded, “Thus, held captive by the Magadhan and longing to see you, they have taken refuge at your feet. Please grant well-being to these afflicted ones.” As the messenger spoke, the divine sage Narada suddenly appeared, radiant and bearing tawny matted locks, like the sun bursting forth. Upon seeing him, Bhagavan Krishna, Lord of all lords, rose with his assembly and followers. With joy and respect, he bowed his head to Narada, honored him properly, and offered him a seat. Krishna then addressed the sage with pleasing words, satisfying him with faith and reverence: “Is all well today among the three worlds, free from fear? Surely, the virtue of the Lord increases as he travels among the worlds. Nothing is unknown to you, O Lord among creators. Therefore, we ask you: what do the Pandavas intend?” Narada replied, “O Lord, I have witnessed your māyā many times—difficult to overcome—O Master, Creator of the universe and wielder of māyā. As you move among beings with your own powers, your glory is hidden like fire concealed in wood; thus, nothing astonishes me. Who is fit to know your actions here, as you create and withdraw this world by your own māyā? What appears to exist is only a reflection of understanding. I bow to you, whose nature is beyond all distinctions. He who grants liberation to the soul wandering in samsara, who does not know the suffering brought by the body—He, who by his playful descents kindles his own fame—I take refuge in him, who dispels darkness.” Narada continued, “Yet, O Brahman, I shall relate what is intended by the king, your devotee, the son of your paternal aunt, as he enacts a deed that amazes the world of men. The son of Pandu, desiring the status of Brahma, will worship you with the Rajasuya sacrifice, O Lord. May you be pleased with this. At that supreme sacrifice, O God, you will be seen by the gods and other illustrious kings, who will assemble there out of eagerness. By hearing, singing, or meditating upon you, O Lord of Brahman, even those who dwell near are purified—how much more so those who see or touch you? The pure fame of whose feet is renowned in heaven, on earth, and in the netherworld—whose water, called Mandakini in heaven, Bhogavati below, and Ganga here, sanctifies the universe—may that water, flowing from your feet, bless all the worlds.” As Narada spoke, Krishna’s followers, eager for conquest, looked to him for guidance. Smiling and with sweet words, Krishna addressed his servant Uddhava: “You are indeed our supreme eye, a true friend who knows the essence and purpose of counsel. Therefore, speak here what should be done; we have faith and shall act accordingly.” Thus addressed, Uddhava, though all-knowing, humbly accepted the command with bowed head and replied. Śuka then concluded the seventieth chapter, “Inquiry into Divine Knowledge,” marking the end of this section in the sacred Śrīmad Bhāgavata Mahāpurāṇa. Continuing, Śuka narrated: Hearing the words of the divine sage, Uddhava, wise among the wise, after understanding the opinion of the assembly and Krishna, spoke as follows: “O Lord, as the sage has said, you should act as an advisor for the sacrifice, protect your paternal cousin, and shelter those who seek refuge. The Rajasuya sacrifice should be performed by you, O mighty one, as conqueror of the quarters; the defeat of Jarasandha serves both purposes, in my view. For us, too, a great benefit will arise from this, O Govinda, and your fame will increase by freeing the kings who are imprisoned.” Uddhava explained, “That king is truly hard to overcome, equal in strength to ten thousand elephants, and among the strong, none can match him except Bhima. He must be defeated in single combat, not by an army of a hundred divisions; he is devoted to the Brahmanas and never refuses a request from them. Let Vrikodara (Bhima), disguised as a Brahmana, go and beg from him; he will surely kill him in single combat in your presence—there is no doubt. The Supreme Lord is the cause for both the creation and destruction of the universe; Hiranyagarbha and Sharva are forms of your timeless power.” He continued, “Your pure deeds are sung in the homes of the gods: the slaying of the enemies of kings, the liberation of your own self, by the Gopis, the wives of the elephant-lord, the daughters of Janaka, your parents who found refuge in you, the sages, and by us. O Krishna, the killing of Jarasandha will serve many purposes; and the sacrifice you desire will be accomplished as a result of this act.” Śuka said, “Thus, O King, all honored Uddhava’s words, which were auspicious in every way for Acyuta—the divine sage, the elders of the Yadus, and Krishna himself. Then the Lord, son of Devaki, gave orders to depart; having taken leave of his elders and instructing his servants Daruka, Jaitra, and others, the mighty one prepared for the journey.” Thus, the assembly was filled with purpose and hope, as Krishna and his companions set forth to fulfill the noble tasks before them, guided by wisdom, devotion, and the will of the Supreme Lord.