Mukunda, the Lord Krishna, was joyfully received as he entered the royal palace. The women of the inner chambers, their eyes radiant with affection and reverence, welcomed him warmly. As Krishna made his way within, Pritha—his paternal aunt and the mother of the Pandavas—saw her beloved nephew, the Lord of the three worlds. Filled with love, she rose from her couch and, together with her daughters-in-law, embraced Krishna with deep affection. The king, Yudhishthira, honored Govinda, the Lord of the gods, by bringing him into his home. His joy was so overwhelming that he could hardly discern what more remained to be done in Krishna’s worship. Krishna, in turn, offered his salutations to his paternal and maternal aunts and his teachers. He himself was greeted with respect by Draupadi, O king, and by his own sister. Prompted by her mother-in-law, Draupadi, along with all the wives of Krishna, honored Rukmini, Satyabhama, Bhadra, and Jambavati. They also showed reverence to Kalindi, Mitravinda, Shaibya, Nagnajiti, and the other virtuous queens who had arrived, presenting them with fine garments, garlands, ornaments, and other gifts. King Yudhishthira ensured that Janardana—Krishna—along with his army, attendants, and wives, was accommodated with great comfort, renewing his hospitality again and again. Krishna, having satisfied Agni with the burning of the Khandava forest along with Arjuna (Phalguna), and having freed Maya the architect—who then built a wondrous assembly hall for the king—remained in Indraprastha for several months. Wishing to please the king, Krishna spent his days roaming about in a chariot with Arjuna, surrounded by warriors. Thus concludes the seventy-first chapter, entitled 'Krishna’s Journey to Indraprastha,' in the glorious Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. One day, as Śuka described, Yudhishthira sat in the midst of a great assembly. He was surrounded by sages, brahmins, kshatriyas, vaishyas, and his brothers. With teachers, elders, relatives, and kinsmen all listening intently, Yudhishthira spoke these words: “O Govinda, by the royal sacrifice—the Rājasūya—I wish to worship you and your glories. O Lord, please arrange this for us. Those who constantly walk in your footsteps, meditate upon you, sing your praises, and destroy inauspiciousness, O lotus-naveled one, attain liberation from worldly existence. If they wish for blessings, let them seek them from you, for no one else can grant them. O Lord of lords, by service to your lotus feet, let the world witness its effect here and now. Among those who worship you and those who do not, show the true standing of the Kurus and Sṛñjayas. For you, the soul of all, perceive no 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 Krishna replied, “O king, destroyer of enemies, your resolve is proper. By this, your auspicious fame will be experienced 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. These brothers of yours are born from portions of the guardians of the worlds. I am conquered by you, who are self-controlled; those without self-mastery cannot conquer me. No one in this world surpasses me in power, fame, wealth, or opulence—not even the gods, much less earthly kings.” Hearing these words of the Lord, Yudhishthira’s face bloomed with delight. Empowered by Vishnu’s energy, he sent his brothers to conquer the directions: Sahadeva with the Sṛñjayas to the south, Nakula to the west, Arjuna to the north, and Bhima to the east, accompanied by the Matsyas, Kekayas, and Madras. These heroic brothers, conquering the kings in all directions by their might, brought abundant wealth to Yudhishthira, who was to perform the sacrifice. But when Yudhishthira heard that Jarāsandha, king of Magadha, remained unconquered, he pondered the matter. Then Hari—Krishna—spoke of the means to overcome Jarāsandha, the very way that Uddhava had earlier described. Thus, Bhīmasena, Arjuna, and Krishna—three who bore the marks of Brahmins—set out for Girivraja, the city where the son of Brihadratha, Jarāsandha, dwelled. Arriving at the proper time for guests, they entered his house, disguised as Brahmins, and acted according to custom. “O king,” they said, “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, with his impermanent body, does not earn lasting fame among the virtuous, though able, is truly pitiable. Many—Harischandra, Rantideva, Sibi, Bali, the hunter, the pigeon—have attained the eternal by means of the impermanent.” By their voices, their appearance, and the marks left on their hands by bowstrings, Jarāsandha recognized his royal guests, having seen them before. He pondered, “These relatives of the royal order are bearing the marks of Brahmins. I will give even my own self, difficult as it is to relinquish, as alms to them. It is heard that the fame of Bali, pure and widespread, remained even after Vishnu took his wealth in the guise of a Brahmin. Desiring the wealth of Indra, Vishnu, as a Brahmin, received the earth from the king of the Daityas, who, though aware and restrained, still gave it. What purpose does the body of a kshatriya relative serve, if not for the sake of Brahmins? When the body falls here, great fame is attained.” With noble intent, Jarāsandha spoke to Krishna, Arjuna, and Bhimasena: “O Brahmins, choose your desire; I will give even my own head to you.” Then the Blessed Lord said, “O king, grant us battle, if you consider it fitting to fight in pairs. We have come seeking combat, desiring nothing else but battle with the royal order. This is Bhimasena, O Partha; his brother is Arjuna. Know me, Krishna, as their maternal uncle and your enemy.” Hearing this, the king of Magadha laughed loudly and, angered, declared, “Then, I will grant you battle, O fools!” Thus the stage was set for the great encounter, as the Lord’s will unfolded in the world.