Protected by vigilant men, the queens emerged quietly, their presence almost ethereal, like celestial ladies riding in divine chariots. As their maternal relatives and friends sprinkled them playfully, their faces glowed with bashful smiles, radiating gentle joy. In turn, these queens, accompanied by their companions, enthusiastically sprinkled water upon the gods. Their garments became soaked, revealing their bodies and breasts, their garlands loosened and falling, and their playful charm stirred the minds of those with impure thoughts. Amidst this festive scene, the emperor shone resplendent, riding a chariot drawn by the finest horses and adorned with gold. He stood among his wives like the lord of a grand sacrifice presiding over its rituals. After the ritual bathing, the officiants, purified and reverent, bathed the emperor in the sacred Ganges alongside Krishna. Divine drums resounded in harmony with human drums, as gods, sages, ancestors, and mortals showered flowers from above. All men, regardless of their class or stage of life, bathed there, for even those burdened by great sins were instantly freed from impurity in that sacred gathering. The king, dressed in fine silk and splendidly adorned, honored the officiants, sages, and brahmins with ornaments and garments. Devoted to Narayana, he repeatedly honored his relatives, acquaintances, kings, friends, and all others present. The entire assembly sparkled with divine radiance. Men wore jeweled earrings, garlands, turbans, jackets, fine cloth, and precious necklaces; women, adorned with pairs of earrings and groups of bangles, their faces beautiful, shone with golden girdles. The officiants of great virtue, sages, and brahminical scholars gathered, joined by kings and representatives from all classes—brahmin, kshatriya, vaishya, and shudra. The gods, sages, ancestors, spirits, and guardians of the worlds, along with their attendants, having been honored, gave their permission and returned to their own abodes. The royal sages could not tire of praising Haridasa’s grand Rajasuya, just as mortals never tire of drinking nectar. King Yudhishthira, moved by affection, bid farewell to his friends, relatives, and kinsmen, and, with reluctance, to Krishna as well. The Blessed Lord, who brings joy to his dear ones, remained for a time, after sending the Yadu heroes—including Samba and others—to Kusasthali. Thus, the son of Dharma, King Yudhishthira, crossed the vast ocean of his cherished desires—so difficult to traverse—and, with Krishna’s help, became free from distress. Once, within the king’s palace, Duryodhana beheld the splendor and felt tormented by the greatness of the Rajasuya and the glory of Lord Achyuta. In that place, where the wealth of kings, demons, and gods—arranged by the Creator—shone, the lord stood beside the daughter of Drupada, and Kururaja’s heart was ensnared and troubled. At that time, a thousand queens of Madhupati, their heavy hips adorned with softly tinkling anklets, surrounded the 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, kinsmen, and Krishna, who watched with his own eyes. Seated on a golden throne, like Indra himself, 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, casting it down in anger. He grasped the edge of a garment on the floor, thinking it was water, though it was dry; and in the water, he mistook it for solid ground, bewildered by Maya’s illusion. Bhima laughed at him upon seeing this, as did the women and other kings. Though Yudhishthira tried to restrain them, Krishna approved their laughter. Ashamed, with face downcast and burning with anger, Duryodhana left silently for Gajaha. A great cry of 'Alas!' arose among the virtuous, and Ajatasatru was troubled in mind. The Blessed Lord remained silent, wishing to relieve the earth’s burden, and watched with wandering eyes. O King, thus I have told you what you asked about—the wickedness of Suyodhana at the great Rajasuya sacrifice. Thus ends the seventy-fifth chapter, called 'The Humbling of Duryodhana’s Pride,' in the tenth canto, second half, of the glorious Bhagavata Purana, the scripture of the supreme swans. Now, O King, hear another wondrous deed of Krishna. Shri Shuka spoke: Let me tell you how the playful, bodyless Lord slew the lord of Saubha. Shalva, a friend of Shishupala, had come to Rukmini’s wedding and was defeated in battle by the Yadus, as were Jarasandha and others. Before all the assembled kings, Shalva made a vow: “I will make the earth free of the Yadavas—witness my valor.” Having made this foolish vow, he worshipped the Lord, master of creatures, by swallowing a handful of dust just once. At the end of a year, the gracious Lord, husband of Uma, being easily pleased, offered Shalva a boon, for he had come seeking refuge. Shalva chose a vehicle, terrifying to the Vrishnis, which could go anywhere at will and could not be broken by gods, demons, humans, Gandharvas, serpents, or Rakshasas. “So be it,” said Girisha, and as instructed by him, Maya, the conqueror of enemy cities, constructed an iron city called Saubha and gave it to Shalva. Having obtained this formidable, wish-fulfilling, and impenetrable vehicle, Shalva set out for Dvaravati, remembering the enmity caused by the Vrishnis. O best of the Bharatas, Shalva besieged the city with his great army and destroyed all the suburbs and gardens. The gates with their towers, palaces, balconies, pleasure grounds, and lofty mansions—all were struck by showers of weapons. Stones, trees, thunderbolts, serpents, and showers of gravel fell, and a fierce whirlwind arose, covering the directions with dust. Thus, as Krishna’s city was severely harassed by Saubha, O King, it found no peace, just as the earth did when attacked by Tripura. Seeing his own people afflicted, the glorious and heroic Pradyumna mounted his chariot and declared, “Do not fear!” Satyaki, Charudeshna, Samba, Akrura with his younger brother, Hardikya, Bhanuvinda, Gada, Shuka, and Sarana—prepared to meet the threat. Thus the story unfolds, revealing the splendor of the Rajasuya and the trials that beset the Yadavas, as the mighty Lord Krishna stands ever ready to protect his devotees.