I have thus recounted to you in detail the tale of the two residents of Vaikuṇṭha—how, by the curse of a brāhmaṇa, they were repeatedly born in this world. Now, let me describe what transpired at the conclusion of the great Rājasūya sacrifice. When the sacred rituals were complete, King Yudhiṣṭhira, having performed the ceremonial bath, radiated in the midst of the assembly of brāhmaṇas and kṣatriyas, shining like the very lord of the gods himself. All the gods, men, and celestial beings, having been honored by the king, departed joyfully for their own abodes, their hearts filled with praise for Krishna and for the magnificent sacrifice that had taken place. Only Duryodhana, the embodiment of Kali’s spirit among the Kurus, could not bear to witness the immense prosperity and success enjoyed by the son of Pāṇḍu; envy and resentment stirred within him at the sight. Know that whoever recites the deeds of Viṣṇu described here—including the slaying of Śiśupāla, the king’s liberation, and the great sacrifice—becomes 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 inquired: “O brāhmaṇa, at the grand Rājasūya sacrifice of Ajātaśatru, all the assembled kings, gods, and men rejoiced in great happiness. Except for Duryodhana, all the kings, sages, and gods delighted in the event. O Lord, we have heard this—please tell us the reason for Duryodhana’s discontent.” Śrī Bādarāyaṇi replied: At the Rājasūya sacrifice of your great ancestor, all his relatives, bound by affection, took up various services to ensure the event’s success. Bhīma managed the kitchen, Suyodhana (Duryodhana) oversaw the treasury, Sahadeva conducted the worship, and Nakula procured the necessary materials. Arjuna attended to the elders, Krishna himself washed the guests’ feet, while Draupadī, the daughter of Drupada, served the food. Karṇa, noble-hearted, distributed gifts to all. Other distinguished figures—Yuyudhāna, Vikarṇa, Hārdikya, Vidura, the sons of Bāhlīka, Bhūri, and the Santardanas—were each assigned specific duties. All who were given roles in the great sacrifice performed them with sincere desire to please the king. When the officiating priests, assistants, and dearest friends had been properly honored with gifts, kind words, and hospitality, and when Krishna, the Lord of the Sātvatas, had entered the sacrificial arena after slaying Śiśupāla, the assembly performed the concluding bath in the celestial river. The air was filled with the sounds of mridangas, conches, panavas, dhundhuris, anakas, and gomukhas—musical instruments resounding in celebration of the ritual bath. Joyful dancers danced, singers sang in groups, and the sweet notes of vīṇās and flutes, along with the rhythmic clapping of hands, rose up and touched the heavens. The kings, adorned with golden garlands, departed riding on elephants and chariots festooned with colorful banners and flags, accompanied by their splendidly decorated warriors. The Yadus, Sṛñjayas, Kambojas, Kurus, Kekayas, and Kosalas led their armies, their progress shaking the very earth as they advanced to the sacrifice. The eminent sages, officiants, and the best among the twice-born, chanting Vedic hymns in loud voices, were praised by the gods, sages, ancestors, and gandharvas, who showered them with flowers from above. Men and women, adorned with fragrant garlands, ornaments, and fine garments, playfully sprinkled each other with water and enjoyed various delights. The women, their bodies anointed with oil, cow’s ghee, fragrant powders, turmeric, and rich saffron, playfully rubbed and frolicked with the men. Protected by the men, the queens slipped out unnoticed, like celestial ladies in divine chariots. Their faces glowed with bashful smiles as their mothers, relatives, and friends sprinkled them with water. These queens, with their companions, enthusiastically sprinkled the gods as well; their garments wet, their bodies and breasts partly revealed, their loosened garlands falling, they captivated the minds of those with impure thoughts by their playful beauty. The emperor himself, mounted on a chariot drawn by fine horses and adorned with gold, shone among his wives like the lord of a sacrifice among its rituals. After the ritual bath with his wives, the officiants, fully purified, bathed him in the sacred Ganges together with Krishna. Divine drums resounded in harmony with human drums, and the gods, sages, ancestors, and humans showered flowers upon the assembly. All people, regardless of class or station, bathed in the holy waters; even those guilty of great sins were instantly freed from impurity. King Yudhiṣṭhira, clad in fine silk and splendidly adorned, honored the officiants, sages, and brāhmaṇas with ornaments and garments. With devotion to Nārāyaṇa, he paid repeated respects to his relatives, acquaintances, kings, friends, and all others present. The people shone with divine radiance, adorned with jeweled earrings, garlands, turbans, jackets, fine cloth, and precious necklaces. The women, their faces beautiful, were resplendent with pairs of earrings, arrays of bangles, and golden girdles. The virtuous officiants, sages, and learned brāhmaṇas, together with kings from all four classes—brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, and śūdra—gathered there. The gods, sages, ancestors, spirits, and guardians of the worlds, along with their attendants, having been honored, gave their blessings and returned to their own realms. The royal sages could not tire of praising the grand Rājasūya performed by Haridāsa, just as a mortal never tires of drinking nectar. At last, King Yudhiṣṭhira, with deep affection, bade farewell to his friends, relatives, and kinsmen, and—reluctant to part—even to Krishna. The Blessed Lord, who brings joy to his dear ones, stayed on for a while, after sending the Yadu heroes, including Sāmba and others, back to Kusasthali. Thus, the son of Dharma, King Yudhiṣṭhira, crossed the vast ocean of his cherished desires—a crossing so difficult for most—and, with Krishna’s help, became free from all distress. Yet in the palace, Duryodhana gazed upon the splendor around him, tormented by the greatness of the Rājasūya and the glory of Lord Achyuta. In that place, where the wealth of kings, demons, and gods—arranged in wondrous variety by the Creator—shone forth, the lord stood beside Draupadī, the daughter of Drupada, and the heart of Kururāja (Duryodhana) was ensnared and agitated. At that time, a thousand queens of Madhupati (Krishna), with their graceful hips and softly tinkling anklets, surrounded his radiant face, adorned with crimson necklaces, beautiful earrings, and flowing locks. In the assembly hall built by Maya, the son of Dharma, the emperor, sat surrounded by followers and kinsmen, and by Krishna himself, who watched with his own eyes.