The victorious heroes, having accomplished their mission, journeyed to Khandavaprastha. As they arrived, they sounded their conchshells, their clarion call echoing through the land. This triumphant sound brought delight to their friends and well-wishers, while it struck anxiety into the hearts of their adversaries. When the people of Indraprastha heard these jubilant blasts, their hearts swelled with joy. They believed that the powerful king of Magadha had been subdued and that their own king’s cherished desire was now fulfilled. Soon after, Bhima, Arjuna, and Janardana—Krishna himself—approached King Yudhishthira. With due reverence, they offered their respects and recounted, in detail, all that they had accomplished. Upon hearing their words, Yudhishthira, deeply moved and recognizing Krishna’s boundless compassion, was overcome with emotion. Tears of joy welled in his eyes, and, out of profound love, he found himself 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, the scripture for the paramahaṃsas. Śrī Śuka continued: In this way, King Yudhishthira, having heard of the slaying of Jarasandha by the mighty Krishna and amazed at his wondrous deeds, was filled with happiness and addressed Krishna. Yudhishthira spoke with humility and reverence: “Those who are the teachers of the three worlds, the great lords of all beings, even after attaining what is most difficult to obtain, still accept instruction upon their heads. O lotus-eyed Krishna, you rule even over those who consider themselves masters among the distressed. O great one, your ways are indeed a profound mystery. For the one Supreme, the Absolute, the Paramātman—who is without a second—his glory is neither increased nor diminished by any action, just as the sun remains unaffected. O unconquered Mādhava, among your devotees there is no division of ‘mine’ and ‘yours’; such distinctions are as meaningless as the differences among animals.” Having spoken thus, and with Krishna’s approval, Yudhishthira, at the proper time for the sacrifice, chose as priests those brāhmaṇas who were learned in the Veda and fully qualified. Among them were Vyāsa, Bharadvāja, Sumantu, Gotama, Asita, Vasiṣṭha, Cyavana, Kaṇva, Maitreya, Kavaṣa, and Trita. Also present were Viśvāmitra, Vāmadeva, Sumati, Jaimini, Kratu, Paila, Parāśara, Garga, and Vaiśampāyana, as well as Atharvā, Kaśyapa, Dhaumya, Rāma of the Bhārgavas, Āsuri, Vītihotra, Madhucchandā, Vīrasena, and Akṛtavraṇa. Others were invited too: Droṇa, Bhīṣma, Kṛpa, and many more. Dhṛtarāṣṭra arrived with his sons, and Vidura, the wise counselor, also came. People of all four orders—brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas, and śūdras—gathered, eager to witness the great sacrifice. All the kings and their subjects from far and wide assembled as well. The brāhmaṇas, using golden ploughs, prepared the sacrificial ground according to sacred tradition and initiated Yudhishthira for the rite. All the implements used in the sacrifice were 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 arrived with their royal consorts, all gathering for the rājasūya sacrifice of the son of Pāṇḍu. All who beheld this assembly marveled, considering it entirely fitting for one devoted to Krishna. Priests of divine radiance conducted the rājasūya sacrifice for the great king, just as the gods had once performed it for Pracetasa. On the day of the sacrifice, Yudhishthira, lord of the earth, with full attention and devotion, honored the priests and the masters of the assembly, who were all greatly fortunate. Then, the assembly deliberated on who among them was most worthy of the highest honor. Unable to reach a unanimous decision, Sahadeva rose to speak. He declared, “Indeed, Acyuta—the Lord, master of the Sātvatas—deserves the highest honor. In him reside all the gods, all places, all times, all wealth, and everything else. He is the very self of this entire universe; all sacrifices are based in him. The fire offerings, the mantras, Sāṅkhya and Yoga—all are directed toward him. He alone, without a second, is this universe of non-duality; by his own self, the unborn one creates, sustains, and destroys the worlds. He, as the observer, brings about the various actions here; whatever is sought—supreme good marked by dharma and the rest—arises from him. Therefore, let the highest honor be given to the great Krishna. By this, the honoring of all beings and of the self is accomplished. To Krishna, who is the soul of all beings, who sees nothing else, who is peaceful and complete, should honor be given by one desiring the infinite fruit of giving.” Having spoken thus, Sahadeva, knowing Krishna’s greatness, fell silent. The best of men, hearing his words, praised him, exclaiming, “Excellent, excellent!” Understanding the hearts of the assembly and the words of the wise, King Yudhishthira, delighted and overwhelmed with affection, honored Hṛṣīkeśa. He washed Krishna’s feet, and, together with his wives, brothers, ministers, and family, joyfully bore the purifying water upon his head. Krishna was then adorned with garments of yellow silk and precious ornaments. Yudhishthira, his eyes brimming with tears, found himself unable to gaze directly at Krishna, so deep was his love and reverence. All those present, witnessing Krishna so honored, bowed to him with joined palms, calling out, “Victory! Salutations!” and a shower of flowers fell from above. But among the assembly was the son of Damaghoṣa, who, angered by the praise lavished upon Krishna, rose from his seat. Stretching out his arms, he spoke harsh words before the Lord and the entire gathering. He said, “The Vedic tradition of Satyavatī declares: ‘The Lord is time, insurmountable.’ Yet even the wisdom of elders is sometimes confounded by the words of a child. You are the foremost among those who discern worth; do not be swayed by childish speech. All the lords of the assembly have agreed that Krishna is worthy of this honor. Those who observe austerity, knowledge, and vows, whose impurities are destroyed by wisdom, the supreme sages established in Brahman, honored even by the guardians of the worlds—surpassing the lords of the assembly, how can a cowherd, a disgrace to his lineage, deserve the honor of worship, just as a crow does not deserve the sacred offering? Devoid of caste, order, and family, excluded from all duties, acting as he pleases, lacking in virtues—how can he deserve the honor of worship?” Thus, amidst the grandeur of the rājasūya and the assembly of the greatest souls, both honor and challenge were offered at Krishna’s feet.