At the grand Rājasūya sacrifice of King Yudhiṣṭhira, the son of Pāṇḍu, every detail reflected the splendor of ancient times. The sacrificial implements themselves were fashioned from pure gold, reminiscent of the offerings once made for Varuṇa. The event drew the attendance of the guardians of the worlds, beginning with Indra, and even Brahmā and Śiva were present, lending their divine presence to the occasion. Accompanying them came vast retinues: siddhas and gandharvas, vidyādharas, mighty serpents, venerable sages, yakṣas, rākṣasas, birds, kinnaras, and cāraṇas—all the diverse denizens of the cosmos gathered there. Kings from every direction arrived, bringing with them their royal consorts, each summoned to witness and participate in Yudhiṣṭhira’s sacrifice. The assembled kings and guests marveled at the grandeur, recognizing that such a celebration was truly fitting for one so devoted to Kṛṣṇa. Priests of radiant virtue conducted the Rājasūya flawlessly for the great king, just as the gods had once performed it for Pracetasa. On the day of the sacrifice, Yudhiṣṭhira, lord of the earth, offered his full attention and respect to the priests and the eminent members of the assembly, honoring them as was proper for their great fortune and dignity. Then, as the assembly deliberated on who should receive the highest honor, they found themselves unable to reach a unanimous decision. At this moment, Sahadeva stood and spoke. He declared, “Indeed, Acyuta, the Lord, master of the Sātvatas, is most worthy of the highest honor. In him dwell all the gods, all places, times, wealth, and more. He is the very self of the universe, the foundation of all sacrifices—the fire offerings, the mantras, Sāṅkhya and Yoga—all are directed toward him. Alone, without a second, he is the non-dual reality; by his own will, the unborn one creates, sustains, and destroys the worlds. He observes and brings about all actions here; whatever is sought—supreme good marked by dharma and all else—arises from him. Therefore, let the highest honor be given to the great Kṛṣṇa; by this, all beings and even the self are honored. To Kṛṣṇa, the soul of all, who sees nothing else, who is peaceful and complete, should one give honor, desiring the infinite fruit of giving.” Having spoken thus, Sahadeva, fully aware of Kṛṣṇa’s greatness, fell silent. The assembly, hearing his words, praised him, exclaiming, “Excellent, excellent!” Yudhiṣṭhira, understanding both the words and the hearts of those present, was filled with delight and affection, and he honored Hṛṣīkeśa—Kṛṣṇa. With reverence, the king washed the purifying water from Kṛṣṇa’s feet, and, together with his wives, brothers, ministers, and family, joyfully bore it upon his head. He adorned Kṛṣṇa with garments of yellow silk and precious ornaments, and, his eyes brimming with tears, found himself unable to gaze directly at the Lord. Witnessing Kṛṣṇa thus honored, all the people, hands joined in respect, bowed before him, crying, “Victory! Salutations!” and a shower of flowers rained down upon the Lord. But as this praise filled the hall, Śiśupāla, the son of Damaghoṣa, was seized by anger at the adulation given to Kṛṣṇa. Rising from his seat, arms outstretched, he fearlessly addressed the assembly in harsh words, making his grievances known even to the Lord himself. He cited the Vedic tradition of Satyavatī, declaring, “The Lord is time, insurmountable,” yet lamented that even the wisdom of elders can be confounded by the words of a child. He urged the assembly not to be swayed by childish speech, reminding them that all the lords of the assembly had agreed on Kṛṣṇa’s worthiness. Yet, he continued his tirade, questioning how a cowherd—a disgrace to his lineage—could deserve the honor of worship, just as a crow does not deserve the sacred offering. He accused Kṛṣṇa and his kin of being devoid of caste, order, and family, excluded from all duties, lacking in virtues, and addicted to drinking. He claimed their lineage had been cursed by Yayāti and cast out by the virtuous. He called them outlaws, lacking Brahmanical splendor, taking refuge across the sea, and troubling the people like bandits. Thus did Śiśupāla speak many inauspicious words, his fortune lost. But the Lord, like a lion unmoved by the howl of a jackal, said nothing in reply. The assembly, unable to bear such blasphemy against the Lord, covered their ears, left the hall in anger, and cursed the king of Cedi. For it is said that one who does not leave a place where the Lord or his devotees are blasphemed, falls from virtue, no matter how pious he once was. Roused to fury, the sons of Pāṇḍu and the kings of Matsya, Kekaya, and Sṛñjaya, weapons in hand, rose up, intent on slaying Śiśupāla. Yet Śiśupāla, undisturbed, took up his sword and shield, rebuking the kings who stood with Kṛṣṇa. At that moment, the Lord himself rose and, restraining his own supporters, severed the head of his enemy Śiśupāla with his razor-edged discus, his anger unleashed. A great tumult arose as Śiśupāla fell; his follower-kings, desperate to save their lives, fled in all directions. Then, before the eyes of all, a radiant light emerged from the body of the slain king of Cedi and entered into Vāsudeva, just as a meteor falls from the sky to earth. For, though his mind had burned with enmity for three lifetimes, Śiśupāla had meditated constantly upon Kṛṣṇa, and thus, absorbed in that very being, he attained union—since one’s state of mind at death determines the future birth. Afterward, Yudhiṣṭhira gave abundant gifts to the officiating priests and assistants, honoring all according to sacred rites, and performed the concluding bath of the sacrifice. The king’s sacrifice completed, Kṛṣṇa, Lord of the yogīs, remained for a few months at the request of his friends. At last, though the king wished otherwise, Kṛṣṇa, son of Devakī, took leave of Yudhiṣṭhira and departed with his wives and ministers to his own city. Thus, the tale of the two Vaikuṇṭha residents—whose repeated births were caused by the curse of a brāhmaṇa—has been told in full. After the final bath of the Rājasūya sacrifice, King Yudhiṣṭhira shone in the midst of the brāhmaṇas and kṣatriyas, resplendent like the lord of the gods himself. All the gods, men, and celestial beings, honored by the king, joyfully returned to their own abodes, praising Kṛṣṇa and the sacrifice as they departed.