With great honor and affection, he welcomed the noble Kurus, the Sṛñjayas, the Kaikeyas, as well as the skilled charioteers, eloquent bards, Gandharvas, singers, and wise counselors. The city resounded with the joyous music of drums, conches, kettle-drums, lutes, flutes, and cow-horns as the Brahmins, their hearts brimming with devotion, sang praises to lotus-eyed Krishna, dancing and singing in celebration. Amidst this jubilant assembly, surrounded by his friends and renowned among the illustrious, the Blessed Lord entered the splendidly adorned city, praised by all. The thoroughfares had been freshly sprinkled with fragrant waters poured from elephants, and were festooned with colorful banners, golden arches, and auspicious full pots. Men and women, radiant in new garments, ornaments, and garlands, filled the air with sweet perfumes, making the city shine with festive brilliance. As Krishna entered, he beheld the royal city, its homes adorned with bright lamps and sacred offerings at their entrances. Beautiful flags fluttered in the breeze, golden pots gleamed upon rooftops, and large silver pinnacles crowned the buildings. News of Krishna’s arrival—he who is the delight of all eyes—spread swiftly, and the young women, their hair loosened in excitement and their garments hastily thrown on, left aside their household tasks and even their sleeping husbands, hurrying out to catch a glimpse of the king along the royal road. The streets became crowded with elephants, horses, chariots, and foot soldiers. From the windows and rooftops, the women, having seen Krishna with his wives, showered him with flowers and, embracing him with their hearts, welcomed him with radiant smiles and loving glances. Observing the wives of Mukunda by his side, they whispered among themselves: “Like stars beside the moon, what could these women possibly lack? For with his lotus eyes, noble smile, and playful glances, Krishna creates a festival of joy wherever he goes.” The citizens, carrying auspicious offerings, approached and, led by the foremost among them—purified of sin—performed worship for Krishna with proper rites. Mukunda, joyfully greeted by the women of the inner chambers, whose eyes blossomed with affection and reverence, entered the royal palace. There, Pritha—Kunti—seeing Krishna, her nephew and Lord of the three worlds, rose from her couch, her heart overflowing with love. Together with her daughters-in-law, she warmly embraced him. King Yudhishthira received Govinda, the Lord of the gods, into his home with the highest honor, so overwhelmed with joy that he could scarcely remember what more remained to be done in Krishna’s worship. Krishna, in turn, respectfully greeted his paternal aunt, maternal aunt, and revered teachers. He himself was greeted by Krishna (Draupadi), O king, and by his sister. At the prompting of her mother-in-law, Draupadi and all the wives of Krishna honored Rukmini, Satyā, Bhadrā, and Jāmbavatī. They also paid homage to Kālindī, Mitravindā, Śaibyā, Nāgnajitī, and the other virtuous wives who had arrived, offering them garments, garlands, ornaments, and gifts. King Yudhishthira made every arrangement to comfortably accommodate Janardana, along with his entire army, attendants, and wives, renewing his hospitality again and again. It was Krishna who, having satisfied Agni by burning the Khāṇḍava forest with Arjuna and having freed Maya, who then built the wondrous assembly hall for the king, now stayed for several months in Indraprastha. Wishing to please Yudhishthira, Krishna moved about the city in a chariot with Arjuna, accompanied by many warriors. Thus concludes the seventy-first chapter, entitled “Krishna’s Journey to Indraprastha,” in the tenth canto, second half, of the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, the great Purāṇa, scripture of the supreme swan. Śuka continued: Once, as Yudhishthira sat in the midst of the assembly, surrounded by sages, brahmins, kshatriyas, vaishyas, and his brothers, he addressed all those present—teachers, elders of the lineage, relatives, and kinsmen—who listened intently. Yudhishthira spoke: “O Govinda, by the royal sacrifice—the Rājasūya—I wish to worship you and celebrate your glories. O Lord, please arrange this for us. Those who ever walk in your footsteps, meditate on you, sing your praises, and dispel inauspiciousness, O lotus-naveled one, attain liberation from worldly existence. If blessings are to be sought, O Lord, let them be sought from you alone, for none else can grant them. “O Lord of lords, by service at your lotus feet, let the 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, soul of all, see no difference between self and other; you dwell in your own bliss. Like a wish-fulfilling tree, your favor comes according to the service rendered, never otherwise.” The Blessed Lord replied: “O king, destroyer of enemies, your resolve is proper. By it, 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. 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.” Śuka continued: Hearing the Lord’s words, Yudhishthira’s face bloomed with joy. Empowered by Viṣṇu’s energy, he sent his brothers to conquer the directions. Sahadeva, with the Sṛñjayas, went south; Nakula traveled west; Arjuna set forth to the north; and Bhīma went east, accompanied by the Matsyas, Kekayas, and Madras. These heroes, by their might, subdued the kings in all directions, bringing abundant wealth to Ajātaśatru, Yudhishthira, who was to perform the sacrifice. Yet, when Yudhishthira heard that Jarāsandha remained unconquered, he pondered the matter. Then Hari spoke of the means, the very same that Uddhava had earlier described. Thus, Bhīmasena, Arjuna, and Krishna—disguised as Brahmins—journeyed to Girivraja, where the son of Bṛhadratha, Jarāsandha, resided. Arriving at the proper time for guests, they entered the house of the householder, behaving according to custom. “O king,” they declared, “know that guests have arrived—seekers who have come from afar. Grant us, O fortunate one, what we desire. 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. Hariścandra, Rantideva, Śibi, Bali, the hunter, the pigeon—many have attained the eternal by means of the impermanent.” Thus, the story unfolds, as the path to the great Rājasūya sacrifice is prepared by the valor and wisdom of Krishna and the Pāṇḍavas.