Once, not so long ago, the kings of the earth, blinded by the heady intoxication of their own prosperity, had been swept up by ambition. In their reckless desire to conquer, they vied with one another, showing no mercy even to their own subjects, heedless of the shadow of death that loomed before them. But now, standing before Lord Krishna, they reflected on all that had come to pass. “O Krishna,” they confessed, “those very riches that once made us proud have been swept away by your profound and irresistible power. Time itself, your own form, and your boundless compassion have destroyed our arrogance. Now, humbled, we remember your divine feet.” Their hearts transformed, the kings declared, “We no longer crave kingdoms that are but mirages, nor bodies ever subject to decay and suffering. Instead, O Lord, we long to worship you, for such devotion brings joy both in this life and beyond, delighting the very soul. Show us, we pray, the way by which, even as we move through this world, our remembrance of your lotus feet will never falter.” With deep reverence, they bowed again and again, offering their salutations to Krishna—the son of Vasudeva, Hari, the Supreme Self, Govinda, the one who destroys the distress of all who seek refuge in him. Śuka, the great sage, then spoke: “Thus praised by the kings, now freed from their bonds, the compassionate Lord, shelter of all beings, addressed them with gentle words.” Krishna, the Blessed Lord, said to them, “From this day forward, O kings, your earnest desire will bear fruit: unwavering devotion to me, the Self, the Lord of all, will arise in your hearts. By good fortune, you have chosen wisely and spoken truthfully. Behold how pride in wealth and power drives men to madness. Haihaya, Nahuṣa, Vena, Rāvaṇa, Naraka, and others—rulers over gods, demons, and men—were all cast down from their high stations by pride in their prosperity.” He continued, “Knowing this, that all things arising from the body and so forth are perishable, worship me with sacrifices and protect your subjects with righteousness. Support your people, experience joy and sorrow, birth and death as they come, serve whatever comes to you, and go about your duties with your minds fixed on me. Be detached from the body and its attachments, delight in the Self, remain steadfast in your vows, and, keeping your minds wholly on me, you shall attain Brahman at the end.” Śuka narrated: “Having thus instructed the kings, Krishna, Lord of the world, assigned attendants to care for their wives during the ceremonial bathing. He had Sahadeva conduct the worship, adorning the kings with garments, ornaments, garlands, and fragrant ointments fit for royalty. After bathing and adorning them, Krishna fed them with excellent food, provided various enjoyments, and offered betel and other luxuries suitable for kings. Honored by Mukunda, the kings, now free from distress and their earrings gleaming, shone like planets released from the clouds after the rainy season. Krishna had their chariots, resplendent with jewels and gold and yoked with fine horses, prepared for their departure. With kind words, he sent them back to their kingdoms.” Rescued from hardship by the noble Krishna, the kings departed, their minds absorbed in him and his wondrous deeds. The people marveled at the actions of the Supreme Person and, under the Lord’s guidance, diligently performed their duties. After Jarasandha had been slain by Bhimasena, Krishna, honored by Sahadeva and accompanied by the two sons of Pritha, set out for Khandavaprastha. As the victorious heroes arrived, they sounded their conchshells, filling their friends with delight and striking fear into the hearts of their enemies. Hearing this, the people of Indraprastha rejoiced, knowing that the mighty king of Magadha had been subdued and that their own king’s cherished wish was fulfilled. Bhima, Arjuna, and Janardana then went before King Yudhishthira. After offering their respects, they reported all that they had accomplished. Hearing their words, Yudhishthira, understanding the depth of Krishna’s compassion, was overwhelmed with joy. Tears filled his eyes, and out of love, he found himself unable to speak. Thus ends the seventy-third chapter, “The Coming of Krishna and Others,” in the Tenth Canto of the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, the great Purāṇa, scripture for the paramahaṃsas. Śuka continued: “King Yudhishthira, having heard of Jarasandha’s defeat by the mighty Krishna and all his marvelous deeds, was deeply pleased and spoke to him. ‘Those who are teachers of the three worlds, the great lords of all beings, even after attaining what is most difficult, accept instruction with humility. You, O lotus-eyed one, rule over those who consider themselves masters among the distressed; truly, this is a profound mystery. For the one Supreme, the Absolute, the Paramātman, who is without a second, neither gains nor loses glory through actions, just as the sun remains untouched by what happens on earth. O unconquered Mādhava, among your devotees there is no distinction of “mine” and “yours”—such divisions are as meaningless as the differences among animals.’” Having spoken thus, Yudhishthira, at the proper time for the sacrifice, with Krishna’s approval, chose as priests the brāhmaṇas most learned in the Vedas: Vyāsa, Bharadvāja, Sumantu, Gotama, Asita, Vasiṣṭha, Cyavana, Kaṇva, Maitreya, Kavaṣa, and Trita; Viśvāmitra, Vāmadeva, Sumati, Jaimini, Kratu, Paila, Parāśara, Garga, and Vaiśampāyana; Atharvā, Kaśyapa, Dhaumya, Rāma of the Bhārgavas, Āsuri, Vītihotra, Madhucchandā, Vīrasena, and Akṛtavraṇa. Others, too, were invited, such as Droṇa, Bhīṣma, Kṛpa, and the rest; Dhṛtarāṣṭra came with his sons, and wise Vidura was present as well. Brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas, and śūdras, all eager to witness the great sacrifice, gathered there, along with all the kings and their subjects. The brāhmaṇas, using golden ploughs, prepared the sacrificial ground according to ancient tradition and initiated the king for the rite. All the sacrificial implements were fashioned from gold, just as in the days of Varuṇa. The guardians of the worlds, beginning with Indra and accompanied by Brahmā and Śiva, were present. With them came hosts of siddhas, gandharvas, vidyādharas, great serpents, sages, yakṣas, rākṣasas, birds, kinnaras, and cāraṇas. Kings from every land were summoned, along with their royal consorts, and they all came to witness the rājasūya sacrifice of the son of Pāṇḍu.