As the assembly resounded with praises of Krishna’s divine qualities, Śiśupāla, the son of Damaghoṣa, was overcome with anger. Unable to bear the adulation directed at Krishna, he rose abruptly from his seat, stretched out his arms, and, unafraid, unleashed harsh words before all, making his grievances known even to the Lord Himself. He began by invoking the tradition of Satyavatī, which declares that the Lord is time itself—insurmountable and inescapable. Yet, he remarked with scorn, even the wisdom of elders can sometimes be confounded by the words of a mere child. He called upon the assembly, especially its most discerning members, not to be swayed by what he dismissed as childish speech. After all, he said, the greatest lords present had agreed that Krishna was worthy of this honor. Śiśupāla continued, pointing out that those truly deserving of worship are the sages who observe austerity, possess knowledge, and keep strict vows—those whose impurities have been destroyed by wisdom, who are established in Brahman, and are honored even by the guardians of the worlds. How then, he challenged, could Krishna, a simple cowherd, be considered worthy of such reverence? In his eyes, Krishna was a disgrace to his lineage, as unfit for honor as a crow is for a sacred offering. He went further, decrying Krishna as devoid of caste, order, and family, excluded from all duties, acting as he pleased and lacking in virtues. Śiśupāla reminded the assembly that Krishna’s lineage had been cursed by Yayāti, cast out by the virtuous, and was known for its addiction to vain pleasures. How, he asked again, could such a one deserve the highest honor? He accused Krishna and his kin of abandoning lands sanctified by Brahmarṣis, lacking Brahmanical splendor, and living as outlaws across the sea, troubling people like bandits. Thus, Śiśupāla spoke many inauspicious words, his fortune already lost; yet Krishna, unmoved, remained silent—like a lion indifferent to the howl of a jackal. The blasphemy was so unbearable that many in the assembly covered their ears in distress. Outraged, they left the hall, cursing the king of Cedi for his offense. For, it is said, anyone 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 in hand, intent on punishing Śiśupāla. But the king of Cedi, undaunted, took up his sword and shield and began to rebuke those kings who supported Krishna. At that moment, Krishna Himself stood up and, restraining His own supporters, took up His razor-edged discus. With a swift motion, He severed the head of His enemy as Śiśupāla fell. A great tumult erupted as Śiśupāla was slain. His followers, terrified, scattered in all directions, seeking to save their lives. Then, before the eyes of all, a radiant light emerged from Śiśupāla’s body and entered Krishna, just as a meteor falls from the sky to the earth. It was said that Śiśupāla’s mind, inflamed by enmity accumulated over three lifetimes, was ever fixed on Krishna; and thus, even through hatred, he became absorbed in the Lord, for one’s state of mind at the end determines future birth. After these events, the emperor honored the officiating priests and assistants with abundant gifts, performing every rite as prescribed, and completed the concluding bath of the sacrifice. Krishna, Lord of the yogis, remained for several months at the request of His friends, delighting all with His presence. At last, Krishna took leave of the king—though Yudhiṣṭhira wished He would stay—and, accompanied by His wives and ministers, returned to His own city. Thus was told the story of the two Vaikuṇṭha residents, cursed by a brāhmaṇa to be born repeatedly in this world. Having performed the concluding bath of the Rājasūya sacrifice, King Yudhiṣṭhira shone among the brāhmaṇas and kṣatriyas like the lord of the gods himself. All the gods, men, and celestial beings, honored by the king, returned joyfully to their abodes, singing the praises of Krishna and the great sacrifice. Only Duryodhana, the embodiment of Kali among the Kurus, could not tolerate the prosperity of the son of Pāṇḍu and was consumed by envy. Whoever recites these divine deeds of Viṣṇu—including the slaying and liberation of Śiśupāla and the great sacrifice of the king—is freed from all sins. Thus ends the seventy-fourth chapter, entitled "The Slaying of Śiśupāla," in the second half of the Tenth Book of the Śrīmad Bhāgavata Mahāpurāṇa, the scripture for the paramahaṃsas. Then, King Parīkṣit said, “O brāhmaṇa, seeing the grand Rājasūya sacrifice of Ajātaśatru, all the assembled kings, gods, and men rejoiced—except for Duryodhana. We have heard this; please tell us the reason for it.” Śrī Bādarāyaṇi replied: At the Rājasūya sacrifice of your great ancestor, his relatives, bound by affection, took up various services. Bhīma oversaw the kitchen, Suyodhana managed the treasury, Sahadeva conducted the worship, and Nakula procured the necessary materials. Arjuna attended to the elders, Krishna Himself washed the feet of guests, Draupadī served the food, and noble Karṇa distributed gifts. Yuyudhāna, Vikarṇa, Hārdikya, Vidura, the sons of Bāhlīka, Bhūri, and the Santardanas—all took up different responsibilities, each eager to please the king. When all the priests, assistants, and dearest friends had been honored with gifts, kind words, and proper hospitality, and when Krishna, Lord of the Sātvatas, had entered the arena after slaying Śiśupāla, they performed the concluding bath in the celestial river. The air filled with the sounds of mridanga, conch, panava, dhundhuri, anaka, and gomukha—various instruments resounding in celebration. Dancers moved joyfully, singers sang in groups, and the music of vina, flute, and clapping rose to the heavens. Kings adorned with golden garlands departed on elephants and chariots decorated with colorful banners and flags, surrounded by their splendidly dressed warriors. The Yadus, Sṛñjayas, Kambojas, Kurus, Kekayas, and Kosalas led their armies, shaking the very earth as they proceeded to the sacrifice. The distinguished sages, officiants, and the best of the twice-born chanted Vedic hymns loudly, praised by gods, sages, ancestors, and gandharvas, who showered flowers from above. Men and women, adorned with fragrant garlands, ornaments, and fine garments, delighted in play, sprinkling each other with water and enjoying many pleasures, filling the festival with joy and auspiciousness.