As Krishna, the beloved Lord of the three worlds and nephew to Pritha, entered Indraprastha, Pritha’s heart overflowed with affection. Rising from her couch, she, together with her daughters-in-law, warmly embraced Krishna, welcoming him with love and reverence. King Yudhishthira, filled with immense joy, brought Govinda, the Lord of the gods, into his home with great honor. So overwhelmed was he by Krishna’s presence that he could barely discern what more needed to be done in the rituals of hospitality. Krishna, ever respectful, offered salutations to his paternal aunt, maternal aunt, and teachers. In turn, he was greeted by Yudhishthira and by his own sister. Following the promptings of their mother-in-law, Draupadi and all the wives of Krishna honored Rukmini, Satyā, Bhadrā, and Jāmbavatī. They extended the same honor to Kālindī, Mitravindā, Śaibyā, Nāgnajitī, and other virtuous women who had arrived, gifting them garments, garlands, ornaments, and other tokens of respect. King Yudhishthira ensured that Janardana, along with his army, attendants, and wives, was accommodated comfortably, renewing his hospitality again and again. Krishna, having satisfied Agni by offering the Khāṇḍava forest with Phālguna (Arjuna) and freeing Maya, who built a divine assembly hall for the king, stayed for several months. During this time, wishing to please Yudhishthira, Krishna roamed about in a chariot with Arjuna, surrounded by warriors. Thus concludes the seventy-first chapter, “Krishna’s Journey to Indraprastha,” in the great Purāṇa, Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. Once, Śuka narrates, Yudhishthira sat amidst his assembly, surrounded by sages, brahmins, kshatriyas, vaishyas, and his brothers. With teachers, elders of the lineage, relatives, and kinsmen listening, Yudhishthira addressed Krishna: “O Govinda, I wish to worship your glories through the royal sacrifice, the Rājasūya. 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 desire blessings, let them seek them from you, for none else can grant them. O Lord of lords, let the service of your lotus feet demonstrate its effect here, among those who worship you and those who do not, revealing 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 a wish-fulfilling tree, your favor arises according to service rendered, never otherwise.” Krishna replied, “O king, destroyer of enemies, your resolve is proper; by it, 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. Having conquered all kings and brought the world under your control, gather all the necessary materials and perform the great sacrifice. Your brothers 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 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 Viṣṇu’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; Bhīma to the east, along with the Matsyas, Kekayas, and Madras. These heroes conquered the kings in all directions and brought abundant wealth to Ajātaśatru (Yudhishthira) for the sacrifice. However, word reached them that Jarāsandha remained unconquered. As Yudhishthira pondered this, Hari (Krishna) spoke of the means to overcome Jarāsandha, as previously described by Uddhava. Bhīmasena, Arjuna, and Krishna—three who bore the marks of Brahmins—set out for Girivraja, the city where the son of Bṛhadratha, Jarāsandha, dwelled. Arriving at the proper time for guests, the three entered Jarāsandha’s house, disguised as Brahmins, and acted according to custom. They announced, “O king, guests have arrived—seekers 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—Hariścandra, Rantideva, Śibi, Bali, the hunter, the pigeon—have attained the eternal by means of the impermanent.” Jarāsandha, recognizing their voices, appearances, and even their hands marked by bowstring scars, realized they were royal guests he had seen before. He pondered, “These relatives of the royal order bear the marks of Brahmins; I will give even my own self, which is difficult to relinquish, as alms to them. The fame of Bali, pure and widespread, remained even after Vishnu, disguised as a Brahmin, deprived him of his wealth. Desiring Indra’s wealth, Vishnu 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 serve, if living only for the sake of Brahmins? When the body falls here, great fame is attained.” With noble intent, Jarāsandha addressed Krishna, Arjuna, and Bhimasena: “O Brahmins, choose your desire; I will give even my own head to you.” The Blessed Lord replied, “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.” Jarāsandha, thus informed, laughed loudly and, angered, said, “Then, I will grant you battle, O fools. I will not fight with you, coward, whose valor is uncertain; you abandoned your own city, Mathura, and took refuge by the sea.” Thus, the stage was set for the great confrontation, as the noble guests and the king of Magadha prepared for battle.