O King, the assembly was graced by the presence of the lotus-eyed Lord, who rules even over those who imagine themselves as masters among the afflicted. Truly, his ways are mysterious and profound. The Supreme, the one Absolute, Paramātman, stands alone—his glory is untouched by any action, neither increased nor diminished, just as the sun shines unaffected by the world. O unconquered Mādhava, among your devotees there is no dividing line of ‘mine’ and ‘yours’; such distinctions are as meaningless as those among animals. Śuka continued: After these words were spoken, when the auspicious time for the sacrifice arrived, the king, with Krishna’s blessing, chose as priests the most learned brāhmaṇas, well-versed in the Vedas. 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. Atharvā, Kaśyapa, Dhaumya, Rāma of the Bhārgavas, Āsuri, Vītihotra, Madhucchandā, Vīrasena, and Akṛtavraṇa were invited as well. Other great souls gathered there, including Droṇa, Bhīṣma, Kṛpa, and others. Dhṛtarāṣṭra came with his sons, and wise Vidura was also present. People of all four orders—brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas, and śūdras—assembled, eager to witness the great sacrifice, as did all the kings and their subjects. The brāhmaṇas, following sacred tradition, prepared the sacrificial ground with golden ploughs and initiated the king. All the implements for the rite were made of gold, just as in the ancient sacrifices for Varuṇa. The guardians of the worlds—Indra, Brahmā, and Śiva—were present, accompanied by their retinues. Siddhas, gandharvas, vidyādharas, mighty serpents, sages, yakṣas, rākṣasas, birds, kinnaras, and cāraṇas all gathered there. Kings from every land arrived with their royal consorts, coming to the rājasūya sacrifice of the son of Pāṇḍu. Amazed by the grandeur, they agreed it was fitting for one so devoted to Kṛṣṇa. Priests, radiant as gods, performed the rājasūya for the great king with all due rites, just as the gods had once done for Pracetasa. On the day of the sacrifice, the lord of the earth, with utmost attention, honored the priests and the distinguished assembly members, as tradition required. When the assembly deliberated on who was most worthy of receiving the highest honor, they could not agree. Then Sahadeva rose and spoke: “Indeed, Acyuta, the Lord and master of the Sātvatas, deserves the highest honor, for in him reside all the gods, all sacred places and times, all wealth, and everything else. He is the 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 will, the unborn one creates, sustains, and destroys the worlds. He observes and brings about all actions; whatever is sought—dharma and the highest good—arises from him. Therefore, let the highest honor be given to the great Kṛṣṇa; by this act, all beings and the self itself are honored. To Kṛṣṇa, the soul of all, who sees nothing but the self, peaceful and complete, should honor be given by one desiring the infinite fruit of giving.” Having spoken thus, Sahadeva, aware of Kṛṣṇa’s greatness, fell silent. The assembly of noble men praised him, exclaiming, “Excellent, excellent!” Hearing the brāhmaṇa’s words and understanding the hearts of those present, the king, overwhelmed with joy and affection, honored Hṛṣīkeśa. He washed Kṛṣṇa’s feet and, together with his wives, brothers, ministers, and family, bore the sanctified water on his head, their hearts full of happiness. The king adorned Kṛṣṇa with garments of yellow silk and precious ornaments; his eyes brimmed with tears, and he could not bear to look directly upon him. Seeing Kṛṣṇa thus honored, all the people, palms joined, bowed to him, shouting, “Victory! Salutations!” and showers of flowers rained down upon him. But then, the son of Damaghoṣa, Śiśupāla, unable to bear the praise of Kṛṣṇa’s virtues, rose in anger. Stretching out his arms, he spoke harshly to the assembly and made his words known to the Lord. He declared, “The Vedic tradition of Satyavatī says, ‘The Lord is time, insurmountable.’ Yet even the wisdom of elders can be confounded by a child’s words. You are the foremost in discerning worth; do not be swayed by childish speech. All the lords of the assembly have agreed that Kṛṣṇa is worthy of this honor. Yet, how can a cowherd, a disgrace to his lineage, surpass the lords of the assembly and deserve worship? Just as a crow does not deserve the sacred offering, neither does he. Devoid of caste, order, and family, excluded from all duties, acting as he pleases, lacking in virtues—how can he deserve honor? Their lineage was cursed by Yayāti and cast out by the virtuous, addicted to vain drinking—how can they deserve worship? Abandoning lands served by Brahmarṣis, lacking Brahmanical splendor, these outlaws, taking refuge in the sea, trouble the people like bandits.” Thus Śiśupāla spoke many inauspicious words, his fortune lost. But the Lord, like a lion unmoved by the howl of a jackal, remained silent. Hearing the unbearable blasphemy of the Lord, the assembly members covered their ears, left the hall, and angrily cursed the king of Cedi. “He who, hearing blasphemy of the Lord or His devotees, does not leave that place,” they said, “falls down from virtue, even if he was once pious.” Then the sons of Pāṇḍu, joined by the kings of Matsya, Kekaya, and Sṛñjaya, rose in anger, weapons drawn, intent on slaying Śiśupāla. Yet, O Bhārata, the king of Cedi, undisturbed, took up his sword and shield, rebuking the kings who sided with Kṛṣṇa in the assembly.