When Krishna arrived, the hearts of the Pandavas overflowed with affection. Arjuna, who had not seen his dearest friend for a long time, embraced Krishna again and again, his joy beyond words. Holding Mukunda—the spotless abode of Lakshmi—in his arms, King Yudhishthira felt his past misfortunes melt away. Supreme joy surged through him: tears filled his eyes, his body trembled with delight, and all worldly concerns faded from his mind. Bhima, too, was overcome with happiness. Smiling broadly, he embraced his beloved cousin, his senses awash with love. The twins, Nakula and Sahadeva, and the crowned Yudhishthira, each with hearts brimming, also embraced Achyuta, their tears flowing freely. After Arjuna’s embrace and the twins’ greetings, Krishna bowed in respect to the Brahmins and elders, honoring each according to their due. He extended his reverence to the proud Kurus, the Sṛñjayas, the Kaikeyas, and also to the charioteers, bards, Gandharvas, singers, and counselors, showing equal honor to all. The air resounded with the festive sounds of drums, conches, kettle-drums, lutes, flutes, and cow-horns, as the Brahmins praised lotus-eyed Krishna, dancing and singing in joy. Surrounded by friends and renowned among the illustrious, Krishna, praised by all, entered the splendidly adorned city. The streets had been sprinkled with fragrant water from elephants, and were decorated with vibrant banners, golden gateways, and auspicious full pots. Men and women, radiant in new garments, ornaments, and garlands, filled the city with beautiful scents, making it shine with fresh glory. Krishna beheld the royal city, its houses adorned with shining lamps at their entrances, beautiful flags fluttering above, golden pots on the rooftops, and great silver pinnacles. News of his arrival spread swiftly, and the young women, eager to catch a glimpse of him, let their hair fall loose and their garments slip in their haste. Abandoning their household tasks and even their sleeping husbands, they rushed out to the royal road. The streets bustled with elephants, horses, chariots, and soldiers. From the windows of their homes, the women saw Krishna accompanied by his wives. Their hearts full, they showered flowers upon him, embracing him in their thoughts and offering the warmest welcome through their radiant smiles. As Krishna’s wives passed along the road, the women remarked among themselves, “Like stars beside the moon, what could they possibly lack? For with his eyes, his noble smile, and playful glances, he—the crown of men—creates a festival of delight.” Citizens approached, bearing auspicious offerings. The foremost among them, purified of sin, performed worship for Krishna in the proper manner. Joyfully welcomed by the women of the inner chambers, whose eyes bloomed with affection and reverence, Mukunda entered the royal palace. Pritha, Krishna’s paternal aunt and the mother of the Pandavas, saw her nephew—the Lord of the three worlds—enter. Rising from her couch, her heart overflowing with love, she embraced him along with her daughters-in-law. Yudhishthira, bringing Govinda, Lord of the gods, into his home with great honor, was so overwhelmed with joy that he lost track of the rituals of hospitality. Krishna, for his part, offered salutations to his paternal and maternal aunts and to the revered teachers. He himself was warmly greeted by King Yudhishthira and also by his sister. At the prompting of her mother-in-law, Draupadi and all the wives of Krishna honored Rukmini, Satyā, Bhadrā, and Jāmbavatī, as well as Kālindī, Mitravindā, Śaibyā, Nāgnajitī, and the other virtuous queens who had arrived, presenting them with garments, garlands, ornaments, and similar gifts. King Yudhishthira ensured that Janardana, along with his army, attendants, and wives, was accommodated in great comfort, offering hospitality again and again. Together with Arjuna, Krishna had satisfied Agni by offering the Khāṇḍava forest and had freed Maya, who then built a wondrous assembly hall for the king. Krishna remained there for several months, wishing to please Yudhishthira, and often roamed about in a chariot with Arjuna, surrounded by warriors. Thus concluded Krishna’s glorious journey to Indraprastha. Later, Śuka narrated: Once, in the midst of a great assembly, Yudhishthira sat surrounded by sages, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and his brothers. With teachers, elders, relatives, and kinsmen attentively listening, Yudhishthira addressed Krishna: “O Govinda, I wish to perform the Rājasūya sacrifice and worship you with its glories. O Lord, please arrange this for us. Those who constantly walk in your footsteps, who meditate upon you, who sing your praises and dispel inauspiciousness, O lotus-naveled one, attain liberation from worldly existence. If they desire blessings, let them seek them from you, for none other can grant them. O Lord of lords, let this world witness the effect of your lotus feet’s service here. Among those who worship you and those who do not, and among both, O mighty one, reveal the true standing of the Kurus and Sṛñjayas. For you, the soul of all, see no difference between self and others, experiencing your own bliss. Like a wish-fulfilling tree, your favor arises according to the service rendered, never otherwise.” Krishna replied, “O king, destroyer of enemies, your resolve is proper; by this, your auspicious fame will spread throughout the worlds. This great sacrifice is desired by sages, ancestors, gods, friends—even by us—and by all beings. Conquer all kings, bring the world under your control, gather all the necessary materials, and perform this great sacrifice. Your brothers are born from portions of the guardians of the worlds. I am conquered by your self-mastery; I am unconquerable by those who lack it. No one in this world surpasses me in power, fame, wealth, or opulence—not even the gods, much less earthly kings.” Hearing Krishna’s words, Yudhishthira’s face blossomed with delight. Empowered by Vishnu’s energy, he dispatched his brothers to conquer the directions: Sahadeva, accompanied by the Sṛñjayas, to the south; Nakula to the west; Arjuna to the north; Bhima to the east, along with the Matsyas, Kekayas, and Madras. These mighty heroes, conquering the kings in all directions, brought abundant wealth to Yudhishthira for the sacrifice. But when he learned that Jarāsandha remained unconquered, Yudhishthira pondered the matter. Then Hari spoke of the means, as Uddhava had previously described. Bhīmasena, Arjuna, and Krishna—three who bore the marks of Brahmins—set out for Girivraja, where Jarāsandha, the son of Bṛhadratha, dwelled. Arriving at the proper time for guests, the royal trio, disguised as Brahmins, entered the house of Jarāsandha, acting according to the customs of householders. Thus, the preparations for the great sacrifice continued, guided by Krishna’s wisdom and the valor of the Pandavas.