When Krishna arrived at Indraprastha, Arjuna greeted him with a loving embrace, while the twin brothers Nakula and Sahadeva offered their respects with joy. Krishna, ever mindful of dharma, then bowed before the venerable Brahmins and elders, honoring each according to their due. He did not neglect anyone: the proud Kurus, the Sṛñjayas, the Kaikeyas, charioteers, bards, Gandharvas, singers, and wise counselors—all were shown the Lord’s respect and affection. As Krishna moved through the gathering, the atmosphere became resplendent with celebration. Drums, conches, kettle-drums, lutes, flutes, and cow-horns filled the air with auspicious sounds. The Brahmins, their hearts overflowing with devotion, sang praises of Krishna, the Lotus-eyed Lord, dancing and rejoicing in his presence. Surrounded by his friends and honored by all, Krishna—the jewel among the illustrious—entered the city, which had been adorned in anticipation of his arrival. The streets were sprinkled with fragrant water poured from the trunks of elephants. Colorful banners fluttered above golden gateways and full pots, while radiant men and women, garlanded and dressed in new garments and ornaments, filled the city with delightful scents, making the entire scene luminous. Krishna beheld the royal city, its houses gloriously decorated: entrances shone with bright lamps and offerings, beautiful flags waved, golden pots stood atop roofs, and large silver pinnacles gleamed in the sunlight. The news of Krishna’s arrival spread like wildfire. The young women of the city, eager to see the Lord who was a feast for the eyes, left their household tasks unfinished—some even leaving their husbands still in bed. With loosened hair and unfastened garments, they hurried along the royal road, their hearts drawn by devotion. The city’s roads became crowded with elephants, horses, chariots, and foot soldiers. From the balconies and windows of their homes, the women watched Krishna passing with his wives. Their hearts overflowed with love; they scattered flowers and greeted him with smiling glances, welcoming him with the deepest affection. As they beheld the wives of Mukunda walking beside him, the women remarked among themselves: “See! Like stars shining beside the moon, what could these noble ladies lack? For Krishna—the crown of men—delights them with his noble smile and playful glances, creating a festival of joy.” The citizens, bringing auspicious offerings, approached Krishna. The foremost among them, purified of sin, worshiped him in proper order, expressing their reverence and devotion. Joyfully welcomed by the women of the inner chambers, whose eyes bloomed with affection and reverence, Krishna entered the royal palace. Pritha—Kunti, his paternal aunt—rose from her couch, her heart brimming with love for her nephew, the Lord of the three worlds. Together with her daughters-in-law, she embraced him warmly. King Yudhishthira, overwhelmed with joy at bringing Govinda, the Lord of the gods, into his home, honored him with the highest hospitality. So great was his happiness that he lost awareness of what duties remained to be performed in Krishna’s worship. Krishna, ever humble and respectful, offered salutations to his paternal and maternal aunts, as well as to his teachers. In turn, he was greeted by Krishna (Draupadi) and by his sister, Subhadra. At the prompting of her mother-in-law, Draupadi and all the wives of Krishna honored Rukmini, Satyā, Bhadrā, and Jāmbavatī. They also showed reverence to Kālindī, Mitravindā, Śaibyā, Nāgnajitī, and the other virtuous wives who had come, presenting them with garments, garlands, ornaments, and other tokens of affection. King Yudhishthira, in his delight, ensured that Krishna, along with his army, attendants, and wives, was accommodated with the utmost comfort, renewing his hospitality again and again. It was Krishna who, with Arjuna (Phālguna), had satisfied Agni by burning the Khāṇḍava forest and who had liberated Maya, the architect, who then built a divine assembly hall for the king. Krishna remained in Indraprastha for several months, wishing to please Yudhishthira. He wandered about in a chariot with Arjuna, surrounded by mighty 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, scripture of the supreme swan. Thereafter, Śuka continued: Once, in the midst of a grand assembly, Yudhishthira sat surrounded by sages, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and his brothers. With teachers, elders of the lineage, relatives, and kinsmen all listening, Yudhishthira addressed Krishna with these words: “O Govinda, I wish to perform the royal Rājasūya sacrifice, that your glories may be worshiped. O Lord, please arrange this for us.” He continued: “Those who walk always in your footsteps, who meditate upon you, who are pure and sing your praises, destroy inauspiciousness and 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, by serving your lotus feet, let the world witness the fruits of such devotion. Among those who worship you and those who do not, reveal, O mighty one, the true standing of the Kurus and Sṛñjayas. “For you, who are the soul of all and perceive no difference between self and others, who dwell in your own bliss, your favor, like that of the wish-fulfilling tree, arises according to the service rendered, and never otherwise.” Krishna replied, “O king, destroyer of enemies, your resolve is proper. Through this, your auspicious fame will be celebrated throughout the worlds. This great sacrifice is desired by sages, ancestors, gods, friends—even by us—and by all beings. “Conquer the kings of the earth, bring the world under your rule, gather all necessary materials, and perform the great sacrifice. 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 without self-mastery. “No one in this world surpasses me in power, fame, wealth, or opulence—not even the gods, much less earthly kings.” Hearing these words, Yudhishthira’s face bloomed with delight. Empowered by Krishna’s energy, he sent his brothers to conquer the four directions: Sahadeva with the Sṛñjayas to the south, Nakula to the west, Arjuna to the north, and Bhīma to the east, accompanied by the Matsyas, Kekayas, and Madras. These heroes, having subdued the kings in all directions by their valor, returned with abundant wealth for Yudhishthira, who would perform the sacrifice. Yet, upon hearing that Jarāsandha remained unconquered, the king pondered what to do. Then Hari (Krishna) spoke of a means, the very one Uddhava had earlier described. Thus, Bhīmasena, Arjuna, and Krishna—disguised as Brahmins—journeyed to Girivraja, the city of Jarāsandha, son of Bṛhadratha. Arriving at the proper time for guests, they entered the householder’s abode, behaving according to custom. They announced themselves, saying, “O king, know that guests have arrived—seekers who have come from afar. Grant us, O fortunate one, what we desire.” They further reflected, “What is unbearable for the patient? What is improper for the unrighteous? What is not to be given by the generous? Who is superior to those who see all equally? He who, though able, does not earn lasting fame among the virtuous with his impermanent body is truly pitiable.” Thus, the story unfolds, leading to the next great adventure in the lives of Krishna and the Pāṇḍavas.