Delighting the royal messenger with his gracious words, the Blessed Lord Krishna spoke, “Do not fear, O messenger; blessings to you. I will destroy the Magadhan.” Comforted, the messenger departed and faithfully conveyed Krishna’s promise to the assembled kings. They, too, witnessed the arrival of Śauri—Krishna—whose liberation they so earnestly desired. Krishna then began his journey, crossing the lands of Ānarta, Sauvīra, Maru, and Vinaśana, traversing mountains and rivers, passing through cities, villages, and cattle stations. Mukunda moved onward, crossing the Drishadvati and Sarasvati rivers, reaching the regions of the Panchalas and Matsyas, and finally arriving at Shakraprastha. News of Krishna’s arrival spread swiftly. The king, beloved by all and rarely seen by ordinary men, came out joyfully to greet him, accompanied by his teachers and surrounded by friends. The air was filled with the sound of singing and musical instruments, and the loud chanting of Brahmins. With reverence, the king approached Hrishikesha—Krishna—as vital breath approaches the life-breath. Seeing Krishna, the Pandava’s heart overflowed with affection. He embraced his dearest friend, whom he had not seen for so long, again and again. Embracing with both arms the spotless abode of Lakshmi, the body of Mukunda, the king—now freed from misfortune—attained supreme joy. His eyes filled with tears, his body thrilled with emotion, and he forgot all worldly distractions. Bhima, overjoyed, embraced his maternal cousin, his senses overwhelmed with love and smiling. The twins and the crowned one, too, with hearts full, embraced Achyuta, their tears flowing freely. Embraced by Arjuna and greeted by the twins, Krishna bowed respectfully to the Brahmins and elders, honoring them as was proper. He extended honor to the proud Kurus, Sṛñjayas, and Kaikeyas, as well as to charioteers, bards, Gandharvas, singers, and counselors. The air resounded with drums, conches, kettle-drums, lutes, flutes, and cow-horns, as the Brahmins praised the lotus-eyed Krishna, danced, and sang. Surrounded by friends and praised by all, the jewel among the famed, the Blessed Lord entered the city, which was adorned for his arrival. The path was sprinkled with fragrant water from elephants, decorated with colorful banners, golden gateways, and full pots. Men and women, radiant in new garments, ornaments, and garlands, filled the air with scents, making the city resplendent. Krishna saw the royal city adorned with houses whose entrances shone with bright lamps and offerings, beautiful flags fluttering above, golden pots on the roofs, and large silver pinnacles. Hearing that the vessel for quenching the eyes of men had arrived, the young women, their hair loosened in eagerness and garments unfastened, immediately abandoned their household tasks and even their husbands in bed, rushing to see the king along the royal road. In that place, crowded with elephants, horses, chariots, and foot soldiers, the women, having seen Krishna with his wives from their homes, scattered flowers and, embracing him in their minds, offered a gracious welcome with smiling glances. Seeing the wives of Mukunda on the road, the women spoke among themselves: “Like stars beside the moon, what is lacking for them? For with his eyes, the crown of men, his noble smile, and playful glances, he creates a festival of delight.” Citizens approached, bearing auspicious offerings, and the foremost among them, purified of sin, performed worship for Krishna in proper order. Mukunda, joyfully welcomed by the women of the inner chambers, their eyes blooming with affection and reverence, entered the royal palace. Pritha, seeing Krishna—her brother’s son and Lord of the three worlds—rose from her couch with a heart full of love and, together with her daughters-in-law, embraced him. Bringing Govinda, the Lord of gods, into his home with honor, the king was so overwhelmed with joy that he could not discern what duties remained in the worship. Krishna offered salutations to his paternal aunt, maternal aunt, and teachers; and he himself was greeted by Krishna, O king, and by his sister. Prompted by her mother-in-law, Krishna and all the wives of Krishna honored Rukmini, Satyā, Bhadrā, and Jāmbavatī. They also honored Kālindī, Mitravindā, Śaibyā, Nāgnajitī, and the virtuous others who had arrived, with garments, garlands, ornaments, and the like. King Yudhishthira comfortably accommodated Janardana, along with his army, attendants, and wives, renewing his hospitality again and again. Having satisfied Agni with the Khāṇḍava forest, together with Phālguna, and having freed Maya—by whom a divine assembly hall was built for the king—Krishna stayed for several months, wishing to please the king, roaming about in a chariot with Phālguna, surrounded by warriors. Thus concludes the seventy-first chapter, “Krishna’s Journey to Indraprastha,” in the tenth canto, second half, of the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, the great Purāṇa, the scripture of the supreme swan. Śuka continued: Once, in the midst of the assembly, surrounded by sages, brahmins, kshatriyas, vaishyas, and his brothers, Yudhishthira sat. With teachers, elders of the lineage, relatives, and kinsmen listening, he spoke these words: “O Govinda, by the royal sacrifice, the Rājasūya, I wish to worship with your glories. O Lord, please arrange this for us. Those who constantly walk in your footsteps, meditate on you, pure ones who sing your praises and destroy inauspiciousness, O lotus-naveled one, attain liberation from worldly existence. If they desire blessings, O Lord, let them seek them, for none other can grant them. O Lord of lords, by your lotus feet’s service, let this world witness its effect here. Among those who worship you, and those who do not, and both, O mighty one, reveal the true standing of the Kurus and Sṛñjayas. For you, who are the soul of all and perceive equally, there is no notion of difference between self and others; experiencing your own bliss. Like the wish-fulfilling tree, your favor arises according to service rendered, never otherwise.” The Blessed Lord replied, “O king, destroyer of enemies, your resolve is proper; by it, your auspicious fame will be experienced throughout the worlds. O master, this great sacrifice is desired by sages, ancestors, gods, friends—even by us—and by all beings. Having conquered all kings and brought the world under your control, gather all the necessary materials and perform the great sacrifice. O king, these brothers of yours are born from portions of the guardians of the worlds. I am conquered by you, who are self-controlled; I am unconquerable by those who lack self-mastery. No one in this world surpasses me in power, fame, wealth, or opulence—not even the gods, much less earthly kings.