With Jarasandha defeated and the kings freed from their captivity, they gathered before Krishna, their hearts full of humility and gratitude. Addressing Madhusūdana, they said, “O Lord, we do not blame you for the loss of our kingdoms to the Magadhan. For us, your favor is the true cause of all things.” They reflected on their past, acknowledging that kings intoxicated by sovereignty and opulence rarely find true welfare. Deluded by Krishna’s māyā, they had once believed fleeting riches to be permanent. They likened their former foolishness to children chasing water in a mirage, mistaking illusion for reality. Blinded by prosperity, they admitted that, in their desire to conquer, they had competed ruthlessly, destroying their own subjects and disregarding the certainty of death. But now, those very riches had been swept away by Krishna’s irresistible power—by time, by his form, and by his compassion. Their pride destroyed, they remembered his feet. Therefore, they declared, they no longer desired kingdoms, which were but mirages, nor bodies subject to decay and pain. Instead, they longed to worship Krishna, for such acts bear pleasing fruit in this life and beyond. Humbly, they requested, “Instruct us, O Lord, so that as we wander this world, our remembrance of your lotus feet may never cease.” They offered obeisance again and again to Krishna, son of Vasudeva, to Hari, the Supreme Self, to Govinda, destroyer of the distress of those who take refuge in him. Śuka then said: Thus praised by the kings, now freed from bondage, the compassionate Lord, the shelter of all, addressed them with gentle words. Krishna said, “From this day forth, O kings, firm devotion to me, the Self, the Lord of all, will arise in you, as you have earnestly desired. By good fortune, you have resolved rightly and spoken truthfully; see how pride in wealth and power drives men mad. Haihaya, Nahuṣa, Vena, Rāvaṇa, Naraka, and others—lords among gods, demons, and men—were cast down from their positions by pride in prosperity. Knowing this, that all arising from body and so on is perishable, worship me through sacrifices and protect your subjects with righteousness. Sustain the threads of your people, experience happiness and sorrow, birth and death as they come, serve what comes your way, and move about with your minds fixed on me. Detached from body and so forth, delighting in the Self, firm in your vows, fixing your minds wholly on me, you shall attain Brahman at the end.” Śuka continued: Having thus instructed the kings, Krishna, Lord of the world, assigned attendants for the bathing ceremony of their wives. He had the ceremonial worship performed by Sahadeva, with garments, ornaments, garlands, and ointments fit for kings. After bathing and adorning them, Krishna fed them with excellent food, provided various enjoyments, and offered betel and other things suitable for kings. Honored by Mukunda, the kings, with shining earrings, freed from distress, shone like planets released from the rainy season. Krishna had chariots adorned with jewels and gold, yoked with fine horses, and, pleasing them with kind words, sent them back to their own lands. Thus rescued from hardship by the greatly noble Krishna, the kings departed, meditating on him and the deeds of the Lord of the universe. The people marveled at the actions of the Supreme Person, and as the Lord directed, they diligently carried out their duties. After Jarasandha was slain by Bhimasena, Krishna, honored by Sahadeva and accompanied by the two sons of Pritha, departed. Upon reaching Khandavaprastha, the victorious heroes sounded their conchshells, delighting their friends and bringing distress to their enemies. Hearing this, the residents of Indraprastha were filled with joy, believing the Magadha king subdued and their own king’s desire fulfilled. Bhima, Arjuna, and Janardana then offered respects to King Yudhishthira and reported all that they had accomplished. Hearing their words, King Yudhishthira, understanding Krishna’s compassion, shed tears of joy and, out of love, could not speak a word. Thus ends the seventy-third chapter, entitled “The Coming of Krishna and Others,” in the second half of the Tenth Canto of the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, the great Purāṇa, the scripture for the paramahaṃsas. Śuka continued: Thus, King Yudhishthira, having heard of Jarasandha’s slaying by the mighty Krishna and his wondrous deeds, was pleased and spoke to him. Yudhishthira said, “Those who are teachers of the three worlds, the great lords of all beings, even after attaining what is difficult to obtain, accept instruction upon their heads. You, O lotus-eyed one, bear rule over those who consider themselves masters among the distressed; O great one, this is indeed a profound mystery. For the one Supreme, the Absolute, the Paramātman, who is without a second, neither does his glory increase nor diminish through actions, just as the sun is unaffected. O unconquered one, O Mādhava, among your devotees there is no division of ‘mine’ and ‘yours’; such distinctions are like the differences among animals.” Śuka said: Having spoken thus, at the proper time for the sacrifice, Yudhishthira chose the priests who were qualified, the brāhmaṇas learned in the Veda, with Krishna’s approval. Among them were Vyāsa, Bharadvāja, Sumantu, Gotama, Asita, Vasiṣṭha, Cyavana, Kaṇva, Maitreya, Kavaṣa, and Trita; Viśvāmitra, Vāmadeva, Sumati, Jaimini, Kratu, Paila, Parāśara, Garga, and Vaiśampāyana as well; Atharvā, Kaśyapa, Dhaumya, Rāma of the Bhārgavas, Āsuri, Vītihotra, Madhucchandā, Vīrasena, and Akṛtavraṇa. Others were also invited, such as Droṇa, Bhīṣma, Kṛpa and the rest; Dhṛtarāṣṭra came with his sons, and Vidura, the wise one. Brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas, and śūdras, all desiring to witness the sacrifice, gathered there, along with all the kings and subjects of the rulers. Then the brāhmaṇas, using golden ploughs, prepared the sacrificial ground according to tradition and initiated the king for the rite.