Sahadeva, recognizing the true greatness of Krishna, spoke before the assembly: “Therefore, let the highest honor be offered to the glorious Krishna. By honoring Him, the soul of all beings, we honor not only every living creature but our very selves. Krishna, who is ever peaceful, complete, and sees nothing apart from Himself, is the one to whom honor must be given by those who desire the supreme fruit of giving.” Having thus spoken, Sahadeva, aware of Krishna’s divine nature, fell silent. The assembled nobles, hearing his words, praised him, exclaiming, “Excellent! Excellent!” The king, deeply understanding the hearts of the assembly and the words of the learned brāhmaṇa, felt great joy and affection swell within him. With reverence, he honored Krishna, the master of the senses. He washed Krishna’s feet, and together with his wives, brothers, ministers, and family, he joyfully placed the purifying water upon his head. They adorned Krishna with yellow silk and precious ornaments, and the king, his eyes brimming with tears of devotion, found himself unable to gaze steadily upon the Lord. Witnessing Krishna thus honored, the entire assembly, with joined palms, bowed and called out, “Victory! Salutations!” Showers of fragrant flowers fell from above, blessing the moment. But not all hearts were at peace. The son of Damaghoṣa, Śiśupāla, angered by Krishna’s praise, rose from his seat. Stretching out his arms, he spoke harshly and fearlessly before all, making his grievances known even to Krishna. He declared, “The Vedic tradition of Satyavatī says: ‘The Lord is time itself, insurmountable.’ Yet, even the wisdom of elders can be led astray by the words of a child. You are the foremost among those who discern worth—do not be swayed by childish speech. All the great lords of the assembly have agreed that Krishna is to be honored. Those who practice austerity, knowledge, and vows, whose impurities are destroyed by wisdom, the supreme sages established in Brahman—these are the ones honored by the guardians of the worlds. “How, then, can a mere cowherd—one whose lineage is disgraced—deserve the honor of worship? Just as a crow does not deserve the sacred offering, so too is he unworthy. Devoid of proper 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 such honor? Abandoning lands served by Brahmarṣis, lacking Brahmanical splendor, these outlaws, having taken refuge across the sea, trouble the people like bandits.” Thus, Śiśupāla spoke many inauspicious words, his own fortune lost. Yet Krishna, like a lion unmoved by the howl of a jackal, did not reply. The assembly, unable to bear such blasphemy against the Lord, covered their ears and left the hall, cursing the king of Cedi in anger. For it is said that whoever, hearing blasphemy of the Lord or His devotees, does not leave that place, falls from virtue, no matter how pious they once were. At this, the sons of Pāṇḍu, joined by the kings of Matsya, Kekaya, and Sṛñjaya, rose in fury, weapons drawn, intent on slaying Śiśupāla. Śiśupāla, undaunted, took up sword and shield, rebuking the kings who supported Krishna. At that moment, Krishna Himself stood, restraining His own supporters, and, with righteous anger, released His razor-edged discus. In an instant, Śiśupāla’s head was severed. A great tumult broke out. The kings who had followed Śiśupāla fled in all directions, desperate to save their lives. Then, a radiant light emerged from the body of the king of Cedi and entered Krishna for all to see, like a meteor falling from the sky to earth. Though his heart had burned with enmity for three lifetimes, by constantly meditating upon Krishna, Śiśupāla was absorbed into Him, for one’s state of mind determines their future birth. The emperor then honored the officiating priests and assistants with abundant gifts as prescribed by the sacred rites, and performed the concluding bath of the sacrifice. Krishna, Lord of yogis, remained for a few months at his friends’ request. When the time came, though the king was reluctant to let him go, Krishna, son of Devakī, departed with his wives and ministers to his own city. Thus have I narrated the story of the two Vaikuṇṭha residents, who were reborn repeatedly due to a brāhmaṇa’s curse. After the Rājasūya sacrifice, King Yudhiṣṭhira, shining like the lord of the gods, stood amidst the assembly of brāhmaṇas and kṣatriyas. All the gods, men, and celestial beings, honored by the king, joyfully returned to their own abodes, praising Krishna and the great sacrifice. Yet Duryodhana, the sinful embodiment of Kali among the Kurus, could not bear to see the prosperity of the son of Pāṇḍu. Whoever recites these deeds of Viṣṇu—the slaying of Śiśupāla, the king’s liberation, and the great sacrifice—is freed from all sins. Thus ends the seventy-fourth chapter, “The Slaying of Śiśupāla,” in the second half of the Tenth Book of the Śrīmad Bhāgavata Mahāpurāṇa, the scripture for the paramahaṃsas. The king then asked, “O brāhmaṇa, at the Rājasūya sacrifice of Ajātaśatru, all the assembled kings, gods, and men rejoiced. All, except for Duryodhana. We have heard this—please tell us the reason.” Śrī Bādarāyaṇi replied: At your great ancestor’s Rājasūya sacrifice, his relatives, bound by affection, were engaged in various services. Bhīma managed the kitchen; Suyodhana, the treasury; Sahadeva oversaw the worship; and Nakula procured the materials. Arjuna attended to the elders, Krishna washed the feet, Drupada’s daughter served the food, and noble Karṇa distributed gifts. Yuyudhāna, Vikarṇa, Hārdikya, Vidura, the sons of Bāhlīka, Bhūri, the Santardanas, and many others were each assigned their duties. Thus, all those appointed to various tasks in the great sacrifice, O king, performed their roles with devotion, eager to please the king.