The royal messenger, having come before Lord Kṛṣṇa, spoke with urgency and devotion. He described how the kings, held captive by the powerful Magadhan, Jarāsandha, were suffering greatly. Longing for Kṛṣṇa’s grace and deliverance, they had placed their hopes at His feet, seeking His protection and well-being. As the messenger finished, a sudden radiance filled the hall. The divine sage Nārada appeared, his tawny matted locks and luminous presence shining like the rising sun. At once, Lord Kṛṣṇa—the Supreme among all the lords of the worlds—rose from His seat, surrounded by His assembly and followers. With joy and reverence, He bowed His head to honor the sage. Kṛṣṇa then welcomed Nārada with all proper respect, offering him a seat and speaking words of warmth and faith, eager to satisfy the sage’s heart. “Is all well in the three worlds?” Kṛṣṇa inquired. “Are they free from fear? Surely, the virtue of the Lord increases as you travel among them.” With deep trust, Kṛṣṇa continued, “Nothing is hidden from you, O greatest among creators. Therefore, please tell us—what are the intentions of the Pāṇḍavas?” Nārada replied with gentle wisdom: “O Lord, I have witnessed Your wondrous māyā many times—so difficult to overcome. You, the Master and Creator, move among beings, yet Your glory is hidden, like fire concealed in wood. Thus, nothing You do astonishes me. Who can truly know Your actions here, as You create and withdraw the universe by Your own power? What appears to exist is but a reflection in the mind. I bow to You, whose nature is beyond all distinctions. “You are the one who grants liberation to souls wandering in saṃsāra, who does not experience the suffering of the body. Through Your playful descents, You kindle Your own fame. I take refuge in You, the dispeller of darkness. “Yet, O Brahman, I shall speak of the intentions of Your devotee—the son of Your paternal aunt—as he undertakes a deed that will amaze all mankind. The son of Pāṇḍu, desiring the glory of Brahmā, wishes to worship You with the Rājasūya sacrifice. May You be pleased with this, O Lord. “At that supreme sacrifice, You will be seen by gods and illustrious kings, all eager to assemble there. Just by hearing, singing, or meditating upon You, even those nearby are purified—how much more so those who behold or touch You directly! The pure fame of Your feet is celebrated in heaven, on earth, and in the netherworld. The water that flows from Your feet—Mandākinī in heaven, Bhogavatī below, and Gaṅgā on earth—sanctifies the universe. May that sacred water bless all the worlds.” Śuka continued the story. As the assembly, eager for conquest, listened, Keśava—Lord Kṛṣṇa—smiled and turned to His wise servant Uddhava, addressing him with sweet words: “You are our supreme eye, a true friend who knows the essence and purpose of counsel. Please speak what should be done; we trust you and will act accordingly.” Though all-knowing, Uddhava humbly bowed his head, accepting his master’s command, and replied. Thus ends the seventieth chapter, called “Inquiry into Divine Knowledge,” in the second half of the Tenth Book of the Śrīmad Bhāgavata Mahāpurāṇa. Śuka continued: Hearing the words of the divine sage, Uddhava—the wisest among the wise—considered the mind of the assembly and of Kṛṣṇa, and spoke: “O Lord, as the sage has said, You should act as an advisor for the sacrifice, protect Your cousin, and shelter those who seek refuge. The Rājasūya sacrifice should be performed by You as the conqueror of the quarters; in my opinion, the defeat of Jarāsandha will accomplish both aims. For us, too, there will be great benefit, O Govinda, and Your fame will increase by freeing the imprisoned kings. “Jarāsandha is a formidable foe, equal in strength to ten thousand elephants. Among the strong, only Bhīma can match him. He can only be defeated in single combat, not by an army. He is devoted to the Brāhmaṇas and never refuses a request from them. Let Vṛkodara—Bhīma—go disguised as a Brāhmaṇa and beg a boon from him; surely, he will slay Jarāsandha in single combat in Your presence. “You, Supreme Lord, are the cause of both creation and destruction; Hiraṇyagarbha and Śarva are forms of Your timeless power. Your pure deeds are sung in the homes of the gods: the slaying of kings’ enemies, the liberation of Your own self by the Gopīs, the wives of the elephant-lord, the daughters of Janaka, Your parents who sought refuge in You, the sages, and by us. “O Kṛṣṇa, the killing of Jarāsandha will serve many purposes, and the sacrifice You desire will be accomplished as a result.” Śuka said: Thus, O King, everyone honored Uddhava’s words, which were auspicious in every way for Acyuta—Nārada, the elders of the Yadus, and Kṛṣṇa Himself. Then the Lord, son of Devakī, gave the order to depart. He took leave of His elders and instructed His servants—Dāruka, Jaitra, and others. The mighty Lord prepared for the journey, sending forth His women, sons, and attendants, and taking leave of Saṅkarṣaṇa and the Yadu king. The destroyer of enemies then ascended His chariot bearing the Garuḍa emblem, brought forth by His charioteer. Surrounded by His army—commanders of chariots, elephants, infantry, and cavalry—He set out. The quarters resounded with the blare of mṛdaṅgas, kettle-drums, conches, and trumpets. The virtuous wives, adorned with fine garments, ornaments, unguents, and garlands, followed Acyuta riding in golden palanquins and chariots, well-guarded by men bearing swords and shields. Men, camels, cows, buffaloes, donkeys, horses, chariots, elephants, attendants, and noble women—all adorned with bangles, armlets, blankets, and garments, carrying their belongings—set out in every direction. The army, with great banners, canopies, parasols, and fans, bearing splendid weapons, ornaments, crowns, and armor, shone with the brilliance of the sun, its tumultuous roar like the ocean stirred by mighty whales and waves. Then the sage Nārada, honored by the Lord of the Yadus, bowed to Him, fixed Him in his heart, and departed through the sky. Hearing his resolve, Mukunda, whose senses were satisfied by the sight of the Lord, made the proper offerings. The Blessed Lord, delighting the royal messenger with His words, said, “Do not fear, O messenger; blessings upon you. I will destroy the Magadhan.” Thus reassured, the messenger departed and conveyed the message to the captive kings. They too witnessed the appearance of Śauri, whom they longed to see as their liberator. Hari then crossed the lands of Ānarta, Sauvīra, Maru, and Vinaśana, traversing mountains and rivers, passing through cities, villages, and cattle stations. Mukunda crossed the Drishadvati and Sarasvati rivers, reached the Panchalas and the Matsyas, and finally arrived at Shakraprastha, ready to fulfill the divine purpose.