Yuyudhāna, Vikarṇa, Hārdikya, Vidura, and many others—the sons of Bāhlīka, Bhūri, and the Santardanas—were each assigned their duties in the great sacrifice. All those entrusted with various tasks, O King, performed them with devotion, eager to please the monarch. When the priests, their assistants, and the most beloved friends had been honored with gifts, gentle words, and proper hospitality, and when the Lord of the Sātvatas had entered the sacrificial arena after slaying Śiśupāla, the concluding bath in the celestial river was performed. At that festive moment, the air resounded with the music of mridangas, conches, panavas, dhundhuris, anakas, and gomukhas—each instrument adding to the joy of the ritual bath. Dancers, radiant with happiness, spun in rhythm, while groups of singers filled the air with song. The melodious notes of vinas and flutes, along with the clapping of hands, seemed to rise and touch the very heavens. Kings, adorned with golden garlands, departed the ceremony riding elephants and chariots, their vehicles decorated with vibrant banners and flags, accompanied by their splendidly attired warriors. The mighty Yadus, Sṛñjayas, Kambojas, Kurus, Kekayas, and Kosalas, leading their great armies, shook the very earth as they made their way to the sacrifice. Distinguished sages, officiants, and the best among the twice-born chanted Vedic hymns in loud voices, drawing praise from the gods, sages, ancestors, and gandharvas, who showered flowers from above. Men and women, adorned with fragrant garlands, ornaments, and fine garments, playfully sprinkled one another and delighted in various festivities. Women, their bodies anointed with oils, cow's ghee, fragrant powders, turmeric, and saffron, engaged in playful games with the men, laughter and merriment filling the air. Protected by their attendants, the queens slipped out unnoticed, like celestial ladies in heavenly chariots; as their mothers and friends sprinkled them, their faces shone with bashful smiles. Those queens, together with their companions, enthusiastically sprinkled the gods with water. Their garments became wet, their bodies and breasts partially revealed, garlands loosened and falling—a sight that stirred the hearts of those with impure thoughts, though their play remained innocent and charming. Amidst this joyous gathering, the emperor, resplendent atop a chariot drawn by fine horses and adorned with gold, shone among his wives, like the lord of sacrifice himself among the sacred rites. After the ritual bath, the officiants, having purified themselves, bathed the king in the sacred Ganges together with Krishna. Divine drums and human drums resounded in unison, while gods, sages, ancestors, and mortals showered flowers from above. There, people of every class and stage of life bathed together, for even those burdened with great sins were instantly freed from impurity in that holy moment. Clad in fine silk and splendidly adorned, the king honored the officiants, sages, and brahmins with ornaments and garments. Devoted to Nārāyaṇa, he repeatedly honored his relatives, acquaintances, kings, friends, and all who had gathered. 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 and clusters of bangles, their faces radiant, wore golden girdles and shone with beauty. The officiants of great virtue, sages, and brahminical scholars, together with assembled kings of the four varnas—brahmin, kshatriya, vaishya, and shudra—gathered in that sacred place. The gods, sages, ancestors, spirits, and guardians of the worlds, along with their attendants, having received due honor, gave their blessings and returned to their own abodes. The royal sages could not tire of praising Haridāsa’s grand Rājasūya sacrifice, just as mortals never tire of drinking nectar. At last, King Yudhishthira, with great affection, bade farewell to his friends, relatives, and kinsmen—and, with special reluctance, to Krishna himself. The Blessed Lord, ever the delight of his dear ones, stayed for a time, after sending the Yadu heroes, including Sāmba and others, back to Kusasthali. Thus, with Krishna’s help, the son of Dharma crossed the vast ocean of his cherished desires—a journey so difficult for others—and became free from distress. Yet, once in the king’s palace, Duryodhana beheld the splendor all around and was tormented by the grandeur of the Rājasūya and the glory of Lord Achyuta. In that place, where the wealth of kings, demons, and gods—arranged by the Creator himself—shone forth, the lord stood beside Draupadī, and the heart of Kururāja was ensnared and troubled. At that time, a thousand queens of Madhupati, with heavy hips and softly tinkling anklets, surrounded Krishna’s radiant face, adorned with crimson necklaces, beautiful earrings, and flowing locks. In the assembly hall built by Maya, the emperor, Yudhishthira, sat on his golden throne, surrounded by followers, kinsmen, and Krishna himself, who watched with his own eyes. Seated like Indra, endowed with supreme prosperity, he was praised by bards. Duryodhana, proud and surrounded by his brothers, wearing a crown and garland, sat with sword in hand, which he cast down in anger. Bewildered by Maya’s illusion, he grasped the edge of a garment on the floor, thinking it was water, though it was dry; then, stepping into water, he mistook it for solid ground. Bhima laughed at this, as did the women and other kings. Though Yudhishthira tried to restrain them, Krishna approved their laughter. Ashamed, his face downcast and burning with anger, Duryodhana left silently for Gajaha. A great cry of “Alas!” arose among the virtuous, and Ajātashatru was troubled in mind. The Blessed Lord remained silent, his eyes wandering, intent on relieving the earth’s burden. O King, thus have I told you what you asked—the story of Suyodhana’s wickedness at the great Rājasūya sacrifice. Thus ends the seventy-fifth chapter, called “The Humbling of Duryodhana’s Pride,” in the tenth canto, second half, of the glorious Bhāgavata Purāṇa, the scripture of the supreme swans. Now, O King, hear of another wondrous deed of Krishna. Śrī Śuka continued: Let me tell you how the playful, bodyless Lord slew the lord of Saubha. Shālva, a friend of Śiśupāla, had come to the wedding of Rukmiṇī, but he and his allies—like Jarāsandha—were defeated by the Yadus in battle. Stung by this defeat, Shālva made a vow before all the assembled kings: “I will rid the earth of the Yadavas—witness my valor!” Having made this rash and foolish vow, the king sought the favor of the Lord, the master of all beings, by swallowing a mere handful of dust as an offering.