Śrī Śuka continued his narration: When King Yudhishthira learned of Jarasandha’s defeat at the hands of the mighty Krishna, and heard of Krishna’s astonishing deeds, his heart filled with joy and gratitude. He turned to Krishna and spoke with reverence. Yudhishthira said, “O Krishna, even those who are revered as the teachers of the three worlds, the great lords of all beings, after attaining the rarest achievements, still accept guidance with humility. O lotus-eyed one, you rule over those who themselves consider they are masters, especially among the afflicted. O great soul, this is a deep and wondrous mystery. “The Supreme, the Absolute, the Paramātman—who is one without a second—gains neither increase nor diminishment in glory through any action, just as the sun remains unaffected by what happens on earth. O unconquered Mādhava, among your devotees there is no sense of ‘mine’ and ‘yours’; such distinctions exist only among animals, not among your true followers.” Having thus spoken, Śuka said, Yudhishthira, at the proper time for the great sacrifice, carefully selected the priests—brāhmaṇas learned in the Vedas—with Krishna’s approval. He chose 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 Bhārgava line, Āsuri, Vītihotra, Madhucchandā, Vīrasena, and Akṛtavraṇa. Others were also invited: Droṇa, Bhīṣma, Kṛpa, and the rest, as well as Dhṛtarāṣṭra with his sons and the wise Vidura. Brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas, and śūdras—all eager to witness the sacrifice—arrived, along with the kings and their subjects. The brāhmaṇas, using golden ploughs, prepared the sacred ground according to tradition and initiated Yudhishthira into the rites. All the sacrificial implements were crafted from gold, just as they had been in ancient times for Varuṇa’s sacrifice. The guardians of the worlds, beginning with Indra and joined by Brahmā and Śiva, were present. Accompanied by their retinues, the siddhas, gandharvas, vidyādharas, great serpents, sages, yakṣas, rākṣasas, birds, kinnaras, and cāraṇas all assembled there. Kings arrived with their royal consorts to attend the rājasūya sacrifice of the son of Pāṇḍu. All were amazed, feeling this grandeur was only fitting for one so devoted to Krishna. Priests radiant with divine brilliance performed the rājasūya for the great king, just as the gods had once done for Pracetasa. On the day of the sacrifice, Yudhishthira, attentive and full of respect, honored the priests and the masters of the assembly, as was proper. When the assembly deliberated on who among them was most worthy of receiving the highest honor, they could not agree. Then Sahadeva stood up and spoke. Sahadeva declared, “Truly, Acyuta—the Lord, master of the Sātvatas—is most worthy of the highest honor. For in him reside all the gods, all sacred places and times, all wealth, and more. He is the self of the entire universe; all sacrifices, fire offerings, mantras, Sāṅkhya, and Yoga are directed toward him. He alone, without a second, is this universe of non-duality; by his own nature, the unborn one creates, sustains, and destroys the worlds. By his observation, all actions come to pass, and whatever is sought—supreme good, dharma, and so forth—arises from him. “Therefore, let the highest honor be given to the great Krishna; by so doing, we honor all beings and our very selves. To Krishna, the soul of all beings, who sees nothing else, who is peaceful and complete, should honor be given by one who desires the infinite fruit of giving.” Having spoken thus, Sahadeva, knowing Krishna’s greatness, fell silent. The assembled nobles, hearing his words, praised him with shouts of “Excellent! Excellent!” Understanding the hearts of the assembly and the words of the brāhmaṇa, King Yudhishthira, filled with delight and affection, honored Krishna, the Lord of the senses. He washed the purifying water from Krishna’s feet, and, together with his wives, brothers, ministers, and family, bore it joyfully upon his head. He adorned Krishna with garments of yellow silk and precious ornaments. Overcome with emotion, his eyes filled with tears, he could scarcely look upon Krishna’s radiant form. Seeing Krishna so honored, the entire assembly, with joined palms, bowed to him, exclaiming, “Victory! Salutations!” Showers of flowers rained down upon him. But at that moment, Śiśupāla, the son of Damaghoṣa, angered by the praise of Krishna’s virtues, rose from his seat. Stretching out his arms, unafraid, he addressed the assembly harshly, making his words known to the Lord. He said, “The Vedic tradition of Satyavatī declares: ‘The Lord is time, insurmountable.’ Yet even the wisdom of elders can be confounded by the words of a child. You are the foremost among those who discern worth; do not be influenced 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 and honored even by the guardians of the worlds—surpassing them, how can a cowherd, a disgrace to his lineage, deserve the honor of worship, any more than a crow deserves 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? 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? Abandoning lands served by Brahmarṣis, lacking in Brahmanical splendor, these outlaws, taking refuge beyond the sea, trouble the people like bandits.” Thus he spoke many inauspicious words, his fortune lost. But Krishna, like a lion unconcerned by the howl of a jackal, gave no reply. The assembly, unable to bear such blasphemy of the Lord, covered their ears, left the hall, and angrily cursed the king of Cedi. For one who hears blasphemy of the Lord or his devotees and does not leave that place, even if once pious, falls away from virtue.