Śuka began to narrate: After speaking thus, at the auspicious time for the great sacrifice, the king carefully selected the priests. With Krishna’s approval, he chose brāhmaṇas who were deeply learned 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 Bhārgava lineage, Āsuri, Vītihotra, Madhucchandā, Vīrasena, and Akṛtavraṇa were among those invited as well. In addition, other renowned figures arrived—Droṇa, Bhīṣma, Kṛpa, and many others. Dhṛtarāṣṭra came with his sons, and the wise Vidura joined them. People from all four classes—brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas, and śūdras—eager to witness the sacrifice, gathered there, along with rulers, their subjects, and all the kings. The brāhmaṇas, following ancient tradition, prepared the sacrificial ground with golden ploughs and initiated the king into the rite. All the implements for the sacrifice were crafted from gold, just as they had been for Varuṇa in times past. The guardians of the worlds—beginning with Indra, and accompanied by Brahmā and Śiva—attended the ceremony. With them came hosts of siddhas, gandharvas, vidyādharas, great serpents, sages, yakṣas, rākṣasas, birds, kinnaras, and cāraṇas. Kings arrived with their royal consorts, summoned to the rājasūya sacrifice of the son of Pāṇḍu. All marveled at the grandeur, recognizing it as fitting for one 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, the lord of the earth, fully attentive, honored the priests and the distinguished members of the assembly, as was proper. The assembly then deliberated on who among them deserved the highest honor, but they could not reach a consensus. Sahadeva spoke: “Acyuta, the Lord, master of the Sātvatas, deserves the highest honor. In him reside all the gods, all places, times, wealth, and more. He is the self of the entire universe, the foundation of sacrifices; 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, O assembly, the unborn one creates, sustains, and destroys the worlds. He, observing, brings about all 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 will be accomplished. To Krishna, the soul of all beings, 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, saying, “Excellent! Excellent!” Understanding the hearts of the assembly and hearing the brāhmaṇa’s words, the king, delighted and overwhelmed with affection, honored Hṛṣīkeśa. He washed the purifying water from Krishna’s feet and, with his wives, brothers, ministers, and family, joyfully bore it on his head. Krishna was honored with garments of yellow silk and precious ornaments; the king’s eyes filled with tears, and he could not bear to look directly upon him. All the people, seeing Krishna thus honored, bowed to him with joined palms, exclaiming, “Victory! Salutations!” and showers of flowers fell upon him. But hearing this, the son of Damaghoṣa—Śiśupāla—angered by the praise of Krishna’s qualities, rose from his seat, stretched out his arms, and fearlessly spoke harsh words to the assembly, making them known 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. 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? Their lineage was cursed by Yayāti and cast out by the virtuous, being 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 in the difficult-to-cross sea, trouble the people like bandits.” Śiśupāla spoke many inauspicious words, his fortune lost; but the Lord, like a lion hearing the howl of a jackal, said nothing in reply. Hearing the unbearable blasphemy of the Lord, the members of the assembly covered their ears, left the hall, and angrily cursed the king of Cedi. For one who, hearing blasphemy of the Lord or His devotees, does not leave that place, falls from virtue, even if once pious. Then the sons of Pāṇḍu, along with the kings of Matsya, Kekaya, and Sṛñjaya, rose up in anger, weapons in hand, desiring to kill Śiśupāla. The king of Cedi, undisturbed, took up his sword and shield, rebuking the kings who sided with Krishna in the assembly. At that moment, the Lord Himself rose up, restraining His own supporters, and with anger severed the head of His falling enemy with the razor-edged discus. A great tumult arose as Śiśupāla was slain, and his follower-kings, seeking to save their lives, fled in all directions. Then, as all watched, a radiant light emerged from the body of the king of Cedi and entered Vāsudeva, like a meteor falling from the sky to earth.