The time had come for the grand rājasūya sacrifice of King Yudhiṣṭhira, son of Pāṇḍu. To this sacred event, the greatest sages and seers of the age were invited: Vyāsa, Bharadvāja, Sumantu, Gotama, Asita, Vasiṣṭha, Cyavana, Kaṇva, Maitreya, Kavaṣa, and Trita. Alongside them came Viśvāmitra, Vāmadeva, Sumati, Jaimini, Kratu, Paila, Parāśara, Garga, and Vaiśampāyana. The assembly shone even brighter with Atharvā, Kaśyapa, Dhaumya, Rāma of the Bhārgavas, Āsuri, Vītihotra, Madhucchandā, Vīrasena, and Akṛtavraṇa. The gathering was further graced by other illustrious figures—Droṇa, Bhīṣma, Kṛpa, and many more. Dhṛtarāṣṭra arrived with his sons, and the wise Vidura was present as well. People of all four orders—brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas, and śūdras—flocked to witness the sacrifice, joined by kings from every land and the subjects of their realms. The brāhmaṇas, following sacred tradition, prepared the sacrificial ground with golden ploughs and initiated Yudhiṣṭhira for the rite. Every implement used in the sacrifice was fashioned from gold, just as in the ancient sacrifices for Varuṇa. The guardians of the worlds—Indra and the other gods—arrived, accompanied by Brahmā and Śiva. Celestial beings of every kind came with their retinues: siddhas, gandharvas, vidyādharas, great serpents, sages, yakṣas, rākṣasas, birds, kinnaras, and cāraṇas. Kings assembled with their royal consorts, all converging at the rājasūya of Yudhiṣṭhira. All were amazed at the grandeur, deeming it most fitting for one so devoted to Kṛṣṇa. Priests radiant with divine power conducted the sacrifice for the king, just as the gods had once done for Pracetasa. On the day of the ceremony, Yudhiṣṭhira, lord of the earth, attentively honored the priests and the most fortunate masters of the assembly, as was proper. Then arose the question among the assembly: who among them was most worthy of the highest honor? Though they deliberated, no consensus was reached. At last, Sahadeva spoke, his heart clear and resolute: “Indeed, Acyuta, the Lord, master of the Sātvatas, deserves the highest honor. In him reside all the gods, all places, times, and wealth. He is the very self of the universe; the 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 power, the unborn one creates, sustains, and destroys the worlds. Observing all, he brings about every action; whatever is sought—supreme good, dharma, and more—arises from him. Therefore, let us bestow the highest honor upon the great Kṛṣṇa. In honoring him, we honor all beings and our very selves. To Kṛṣṇa, 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, Sahadeva fell silent. The assembly, recognizing his wisdom and Kṛṣṇa’s greatness, praised him, exclaiming, “Excellent! Excellent!” Yudhiṣṭhira, delighted and overwhelmed with affection, honored Hṛṣīkeśa, Kṛṣṇa. He washed the purifying water from Kṛṣṇa’s feet and, with his wives, brothers, ministers, and family, joyfully bore it upon his head. Kṛṣṇa was adorned with yellow silk and precious ornaments; Yudhiṣṭhira, his eyes brimming with tears, found himself unable to look directly at the Lord. All present, seeing Kṛṣṇa so honored, bowed with joined palms, exclaiming “Victory! Salutations!” as showers of flowers fell from above. But in the midst of this joy, Śiśupāla, son of Damaghoṣa, angered by the praise heaped upon Kṛṣṇa, rose from his seat. Stretching out his arms, undaunted, he spoke harshly before the assembly and the Lord himself. He reminded them of the Vedic tradition, that the Lord is time itself, insurmountable, and lamented that even elders’ wisdom may be confounded by the words of a child. He urged the assembly not to be swayed by childish speech, for all the lords of the assembly had agreed upon Kṛṣṇa’s worthiness. Yet, he continued, “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—how can a cowherd, a disgrace to his lineage, surpass them in worthiness? 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 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 across the sea, trouble the people like bandits.” Thus, Śiśupāla spoke many inauspicious words, his fortune lost. Yet the Lord, like a lion unmoved by the howl of a jackal, remained silent. The assembly, unable to bear such blasphemy, covered their ears and left the hall, cursing the king of Cedi in anger. For, it is said, he who hears blasphemy of the Lord or His devotees and does not leave that place, falls from virtue, no matter how pious he once was. The sons of Pāṇḍu, joined by the kings of Matsya, Kekaya, and Sṛñjaya, rose up in anger, weapons drawn, intent on slaying Śiśupāla. Śiśupāla, undisturbed, seized sword and shield, rebuking the kings who sided with Kṛṣṇa. At that moment, the Lord Himself stood, restraining His own supporters, and with anger, struck down His falling enemy with His razor-edged discus, severing Śiśupāla’s head. A great tumult arose; Śiśupāla’s followers, the other kings, fled in all directions, seeking safety. Then, in full view of all, a radiant light emerged from the body of the slain king of Cedi and entered Vāsudeva, just as a meteor falls from the sky to earth. Though Śiśupāla’s mind had burned with enmity toward Kṛṣṇa for three lifetimes, by constantly meditating upon Him, he was ultimately absorbed in that very being. For truly, the state of one’s mind determines the nature of future birth.