When the people of Indraprastha heard the news, their hearts overflowed with joy. They believed that the mighty king of Magadha, Jarāsandha, had been subdued, and that their own king Yudhishthira’s cherished wish had been fulfilled at last. Soon after, Bhīma, Arjuna, and Janārdana—Krishna himself—approached King Yudhishthira. With deep respect, they offered their salutations and reported in full all that they had accomplished. As Yudhishthira listened, his understanding deepened; he saw Krishna’s profound compassion at work. Overwhelmed by love and happiness, tears streamed down his face, and for a time, he could not utter a word. Thus concludes the seventy-third chapter, "The Coming of Krishna and Others," in the great scripture Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. Śrī Śuka continued: In this way, King Yudhishthira, having heard of Jarāsandha’s defeat at the hands of Krishna and the wondrous deeds performed, was filled with delight. He spoke to Krishna with reverence. Yudhishthira said, “Those who are the teachers of the three worlds, the great lords of all beings—even after attaining what is most difficult—humbly accept instructions upon their heads. O lotus-eyed one, you are the master even over those who think themselves lords amongst the distressed. O great one, this is a mystery beyond understanding. “For the Supreme, the Absolute, the Paramātman—who is without a second—neither glory increases nor diminishes through any action, just as the sun remains unaffected by what happens on earth. O unconquered Mādhava, among your devotees there is no division of ‘mine’ and ‘yours’; such distinctions belong only to animals. Having spoken thus, Yudhishthira, at the proper time for the great sacrifice, selected as priests the most qualified brāhmaṇas, learned in the Veda, with Krishna’s approval. He invited Vyāsa, Bharadvāja, Sumantu, Gotama, Asita, Vasiṣṭha, Cyavana, Kaṇva, Maitreya, Kavaṣa, Trita, Viśvāmitra, Vāmadeva, Sumati, Jaimini, Kratu, Paila, Parāśara, Garga, Vaiśampāyana, Atharvā, Kaśyapa, Dhaumya, Rāma of the Bhārgavas, Āsuri, Vītihotra, Madhucchandā, Vīrasena, and Akṛtavraṇa. Others too were summoned: Droṇa, Bhīṣma, Kṛpa, and the rest. Dhṛtarāṣṭra arrived with his sons, and wise Vidura accompanied them. People from all four orders—brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas, and śūdras—came, eager to witness the sacrifice, along with countless kings and their subjects. The brāhmaṇas, using golden ploughs, prepared the sacrificial ground as tradition prescribed and initiated King Yudhishthira for the rite. All the implements for the sacrifice were fashioned 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. Hosts of siddhas, gandharvas, vidyādharas, great serpents, sages, yakṣas, rākṣasas, birds, kinnaras, and cāraṇas came with their retinues. Kings arrived with their royal consorts at the rājasūya sacrifice of the son of Pāṇḍu. All were amazed, and they considered it fitting for one so devoted to Krishna. Priests of divine radiance performed the rājasūya for the great king, just as the gods had once done for Pracetasa. On the day of the sacrifice, Yudhishthira, lord of the earth, with utmost attention, honored the priests and the masters of the assembly, as was proper. Then, the members of the assembly began to deliberate: who among them was most worthy of the highest honor? They could not reach a unanimous decision. At that moment, Sahadeva rose to speak. He said, “Truly, Acyuta, the Lord, master of the Sātvatas, deserves the highest honor. In him reside all the gods, all sacred places, all times, all wealth, and more. He is the very self of this universe; the sacrifices, fire offerings, mantras, Sāṅkhya, and Yoga—all are directed toward him. He alone, without a second, is this universe of non-duality; by his own power, the unborn one creates, sustains, and destroys the worlds. “By merely observing, he brings about all actions here. Whatever is sought—supreme good, 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 will be accomplished. To Krishna, who is the soul of all, 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. Hearing his words, all the best of men praised him, exclaiming, “Excellent! Excellent!” The king, understanding the hearts of the assembly and delighted, honored Hṛṣīkeśa—Krishna. He washed Krishna’s feet with purifying water, and with his wives, brothers, ministers, and family, bore that sacred water on his head with joy. Garments of yellow silk and precious ornaments were offered to Krishna; Yudhishthira’s eyes filled with tears, and he could not bear to look directly at him. Seeing Krishna thus honored, all the people, with joined palms, bowed to him, calling out, “Victory! Salutations!” and showers of flowers fell from above. At that moment, angered by the praise lavished upon Krishna, the son of Damaghoṣa—Śiśupāla—rose from his seat. Stretching out his arms, unafraid, he addressed the assembly with harsh words, making his feelings known even to the Lord. He declared, “The Vedic tradition of Satyavatī says, ‘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. “But 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—should be honored. Surpassing the lords of the assembly, how can a mere 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? Indeed, their lineage was cursed by Yayāti and cast out by the virtuous, ever addicted to vain drinking—how can they deserve the honor of worship?” Thus, the assembly was thrown into turmoil, as Śiśupāla’s words echoed among the gathered kings and sages.