After the grand Rājasūya sacrifice had reached its glorious conclusion, King Yudhiṣṭhira, having completed the ceremonial bath, shone resplendently amidst the assembly of brāhmaṇas and kṣatriyas. His presence radiated majesty, like the lord of the gods himself. All the gods, men, and celestial beings—honored by the king’s generosity and hospitality—departed joyfully for their own abodes, their hearts uplifted as they praised both Krishna and the sacrifice that had been performed. Yet, amid this sea of happiness, there was one exception: Duryodhana, who stood out as the very embodiment of Kali among the Kurus. He could not bear to witness the vast prosperity and glory that had come to the son of Pāṇḍu, and his heart burned with envy. It is said that whoever recounts these wondrous deeds of Viṣṇu—including the slaying of Śiśupāla, the liberation of that king, and the performance of the great sacrifice—will be freed from all sins. Thus ends the chapter entitled “The Slaying of Śiśupāla,” a sacred portion of the Śrīmad Bhāgavata Mahāpurāṇa, the scripture revered by the paramahaṃsas. King Parīkṣit then spoke: “O brāhmaṇa, seeing the grandeur of Ajātaśatru’s Rājasūya sacrifice, all the assembled kings, gods, and men rejoiced. Except for Duryodhana, everyone was filled with joy. O Lord, we have heard of this—please tell us the reason for Duryodhana’s exception.” Śrī Bādarāyaṇi replied: “At your great ancestor’s Rājasūya sacrifice, all his relatives, bound by deep affection, busied themselves in various services for the success of the event. Bhīma oversaw the kitchen, Suyodhana was entrusted with the treasury, Sahadeva managed the worship, and Nakula procured all the necessary materials. Arjuna attended to the elders, Krishna himself washed the feet of guests, and Draupadī, Drupada’s daughter, served the food. Karṇa, ever noble-minded, distributed gifts to all. Yuyudhāna, Vikarṇa, Hārdikya, Vidura, the sons of Bāhlīka, Bhūri, and the Santardanas—each was assigned a particular duty, and all strove to please the king. When the officiating priests, assistants, and dearest friends had been dutifully honored with gifts, kind words, and hospitality, and after the Lord of the Sātvatas had entered the sacrificial arena following the slaying of Śiśupāla, they performed the concluding bath in the celestial river. The air was filled with festivity: the mridanga, conch, panava, dhundhuri, anaka, and gomukha drums resounded in celebration. Joyful dancers performed, singers sang in groups, and the music of the vina, flute, and the sound of clapping hands rose up, reaching the very heavens. Kings adorned with golden garlands departed from the sacrifice, riding elephants and chariots festooned with colorful banners and flags, accompanied by their splendidly dressed warriors. The Yadus, Sṛñjayas, Kambojas, Kurus, Kekayas, and Kosalas, leading their armies, made the earth tremble as they processed to the site of the sacrifice. Distinguished sages, officiants, and the best of the twice-born chanted Vedic hymns loudly, and 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, delighting in many festive amusements. Women, their skin 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 maidens in their heavenly chariots. Their faces glowed with bashful smiles as their maternal relatives and friends sprinkled them with water. Together with their companions, the queens enthusiastically sprinkled the gods, their wet garments clinging to their forms, garlands slipping from their hair, and their playful beauty stirring the hearts of those with impure thoughts. Amidst all this, the emperor himself, mounted on a chariot drawn by fine horses and adorned with gold, shone among his wives like the lord of sacrifice among the sacred rituals. After the ritual bath with his wives, the officiants, having purified themselves, bathed the king in the Ganges together with Krishna. Divine drums resounded in harmony with human drums, and flowers showered down from the heavens, offered by gods, sages, ancestors, and humans alike. All men, from every class and stage of life, bathed there; even those burdened with great sins were instantly freed from impurity. Then the king, dressed in fine silk and splendidly adorned, honored the officiants, sages, and brāhmaṇas with ornaments and garments. With devotion to Nārāyaṇa, he repeatedly honored his relatives, acquaintances, kings, friends, and all others present. The people themselves shone with a divine radiance, adorned with jeweled earrings, garlands, turbans, jackets, fine cloth, and precious necklaces. The women, with pairs of earrings, many bangles, and beautiful faces, sparkled with golden girdles. The officiants of great virtue, sages, and brāhmaṇical scholars, along with the assembled kings of all four classes—brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, and śūdra—gathered together. The gods, sages, ancestors, spirits, and guardians of the worlds, along with their attendants, having been duly honored, gave their blessings and departed for their own realms. The royal sages could not tire of praising the grand Rājasūya of Haridāsa, just as mortals never tire of drinking nectar. At last, King Yudhiṣṭhira, full of affection, bade farewell to his friends, relatives, and kinsmen, and, with special reluctance, to Krishna himself. The Blessed Lord, who brings joy to his dear ones, remained there for a time, having sent the Yadu heroes—including Sāmbha and others—back to Kusasthali. Thus, the son of Dharma, King Yudhiṣṭhira, crossed the vast ocean of his cherished desires—a passage so difficult to traverse—and with Krishna’s help, became free from all distress. Yet, once, in the palace, Duryodhana beheld all this splendor and was tormented by the greatness of the Rājasūya and the glory of Lord Achyuta. In that place, where the wealth of kings, demons, and gods—wondrously arranged by the Creator—shone forth, Krishna stood beside Draupadī, and the heart of Duryodhana, the king of the Kurus, was ensnared and agitated. There, at that time, a thousand queens of Madhupati, their hips heavy and anklets softly tinkling, encircled the radiant Lord, whose face was 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 his followers and kinsmen, and by Krishna, who watched the proceedings with his own eyes. Seated upon a golden throne, like Indra himself, endowed with supreme prosperity, Yudhiṣṭhira was praised by bards, his glory shining forth for all to see.