The kings who had been freed from bondage turned to Krishna with grateful hearts. They reflected on how all their former riches had been swept away by Krishna’s profound and irresistible power, by the workings of time, by his very form, and by his compassion. Their pride, once rooted in wealth and status, had been destroyed, and now, in humility, they remembered Krishna’s lotus feet. They confessed, “O Krishna, we no longer desire kingdoms, which are as fleeting as mirages, nor do we wish for bodies ever subject to decay and pain. O Lord, our longing is to worship you, for the fruit of such devotion, both in this life and beyond, is pleasing to the soul.” They pleaded, “Instruct us, O Lord, in the means by which, even as we wander through this world, our remembrance of your lotus feet may never cease.” With deep reverence, they offered repeated obeisance to Krishna, son of Vasudeva, to Hari, the Supreme Self, to Govinda, the destroyer of the distress of those who take refuge in him. Śuka then described how Krishna, praised in this way by the kings who had been freed from their suffering, looked upon them with compassion. The Lord, the shelter of all beings, addressed them gently: “From this day forth, O kings, because you have sincerely desired it, firm devotion to me—the Self, the Lord of all—will arise within you. By good fortune, you have spoken rightly and resolved truthfully. See how pride in wealth and power drives men to madness. Consider Haihaya, Nahuṣa, Vena, Rāvaṇa, Naraka, and others—lords of gods, demons, and men—all of whom were cast down from their lofty positions by pride in their prosperity. “Knowing this, understanding that all things arising from the body and so forth are perishable, worship me through sacrifices and protect your subjects with righteousness. Sustain your people, experience happiness and sorrow, birth and death as they come, and serve what comes your way, keeping your minds fixed on me. Remaining detached from the body and its concerns, delighting in the Self, firm in your vows, and fixing your minds wholly on me, you shall attain Brahman at the end.” Having thus instructed the kings, Krishna, Lord of the world, arranged for their wives to be honored with a bathing ceremony, assigning his attendants to the task. Sahadeva was appointed to oversee the ceremonial worship, providing the kings with garments, ornaments, garlands, and ointments befitting their royal station. After bathing and adorning them, Krishna had them fed with excellent food and offered them various enjoyments, including betel and other royal delicacies. Honored by Mukunda, the kings, adorned with shining earrings and freed from distress, shone like planets released from the clouds of the rainy season. Krishna then had their chariots, decorated with jewels and gold and yoked with fine horses, prepared for their journey. With kind words, he sent them back to their own lands. Thus rescued from hardship by the noble Krishna, the kings departed, their minds absorbed in thoughts of him and his wondrous deeds as Lord of the universe. The people marveled at the actions of the Supreme Person, and, following the Lord’s direction, they diligently performed their duties. After Jarasandha was slain by Bhimasena, Krishna—honored by Sahadeva and accompanied by the two sons of Pritha—departed. When they reached Khandavaprastha, the victorious heroes sounded their conchshells, delighting their friends and striking fear into their enemies. The residents of Indraprastha, upon hearing the sound, rejoiced, convinced that the Magadha king had been subdued and that their own king’s desire had been fulfilled. Bhima, Arjuna, and Janardana then went before King Yudhishthira, offering their respects and reporting all that they had accomplished. Hearing their words, King Yudhishthira, understanding the depth of Krishna’s compassion, was overcome with joy. Tears streamed from his eyes, and, out of love, he was unable to speak. Thus concludes the seventy-third chapter, “The Coming of Krishna and Others,” in the second half of the Tenth Canto of the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, the great Purāṇa, scripture for the paramahaṃsas. Śuka continued: King Yudhishthira, having heard of Jarasandha’s slaying by the mighty Krishna and of Krishna’s wondrous deeds, was filled with pleasure and spoke to him. Yudhishthira said, “Even the teachers of the three worlds, the great lords of all beings, though they possess what is difficult to obtain, accept instruction with reverence. You, O lotus-eyed one, rule over those who consider themselves masters among the distressed; O great one, this is a profound mystery. For the one Supreme, the Absolute, the Paramātman, who is without a second, neither increases nor diminishes in glory through actions—just as the sun is unaffected by what it shines upon. O unconquered Mādhava, among your devotees there is no division of ‘mine’ and ‘yours’; such distinctions are like the differences among animals.” After speaking thus, at the proper time for the sacrifice, Yudhishthira—with Krishna’s approval—chose as priests those brāhmaṇas who were learned in the Veda. Among them were Vyāsa, Bharadvāja, Sumantu, Gotama, Asita, Vasiṣṭha, Cyavana, Kaṇva, Maitreya, Kavaṣa, and Trita; also Viśvāmitra, Vāmadeva, Sumati, Jaimini, Kratu, Paila, Parāśara, Garga, and Vaiśampāyana; along with Atharvā, Kaśyapa, Dhaumya, Rāma of the Bhārgavas, Āsuri, Vītihotra, Madhucchandā, Vīrasena, and Akṛtavraṇa. Others were invited as well: Droṇa, Bhīṣma, Kṛpa, and the rest; Dhṛtarāṣṭra came with his sons, and wise Vidura was present. People of all four orders—brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas, and śūdras—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 tradition and initiated the king for the rite. The sacrificial implements were all made of gold, just as in ancient times for Varuṇa. The guardians of the worlds, beginning with Indra and accompanied by Brahmā and Śiva, were present. With their retinues came siddhas, gandharvas, vidyādharas, great serpents, sages, yakṣas, rākṣasas, birds, kinnaras, and cāraṇas. Kings were summoned, along with their royal consorts, and they all came to the rājasūya sacrifice of the son of Pāṇḍu. Amazed, the assembled guests considered this grandeur fitting for one devoted to Krishna. Priests of divine radiance performed the rājasūya sacrifice for the great king just as the gods had performed it for Pracetasa in ancient times.