Emperor Yudhishthira, resplendent in his golden chariot drawn by noble horses, moved among his queens with a radiance like the lord of sacrifice amidst sacred rituals. Having completed the grand ritual bath with his wives, the officiating priests, themselves purified, bathed the emperor in the holy waters of the Ganges, together with Krishna. At that auspicious moment, celestial drums mingled with those of men, and a shower of flowers descended from the gods, sages, ancestors, and assembled mortals alike. People of every class and stage of life gathered and bathed there, for even those burdened by the gravest sins were instantly freed from impurity in that sanctified assembly. Clad in fine silk and adorned with shining ornaments, King Yudhishthira honored the officiants, sages, and brahmins with gifts of garments and jewels. His devotion to Narayana shone through as he repeatedly bestowed respect and affection upon his relatives, acquaintances, kings, friends, and all present. The entire gathering sparkled with divine splendor. Men wore jeweled earrings, garlands, turbans, elegant jackets, fine cloth, and precious necklaces. The women, graced with pairs of earrings, clusters of bangles, lovely faces, and golden girdles, shone with beauty and joy. Soon, the officiants of great virtue, the sages, and the learned brahmins assembled with the kings of all four classes—brahmin, kshatriya, vaishya, and shudra—each gathering in reverence. 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 cease praising Haridasa’s magnificent Rajasuya sacrifice, just as mortals never tire of drinking nectar. When the grand rites concluded, King Yudhishthira, with heartfelt affection, bade farewell to his friends, relatives, and kinsmen, lingering with reluctance as he parted from Krishna. The Blessed Lord Krishna, delight of his devotees, remained for some time, even after sending the Yadu heroes—Samba and others—back to Kusasthali. Thus, with Krishna’s grace, the son of Dharma, King Yudhishthira, crossed the vast ocean of his cherished desires, so difficult to overcome, and found freedom from all distress. But in the palace, Duryodhana beheld the splendor of the occasion and was tormented by the greatness of the Rajasuya and the glory of Lord Achyuta. In that hall, where treasures of kings, demons, and gods—arranged in wondrous ways by the Creator—glittered, Duryodhana saw Krishna standing beside Draupadi, and his heart was ensnared by envy and anguish. There, at that time, a thousand queens of Madhupati, their anklets softly tinkling, surrounded Krishna, whose radiant face was adorned with crimson necklaces, beautiful earrings, and flowing locks. In the assembly hall built by Maya, Emperor Yudhishthira sat surrounded by his followers, kinsmen, and Krishna, who watched with his own eyes. Seated upon a golden throne, like Indra himself, and endowed with supreme prosperity, the emperor was praised by bards. Duryodhana, proud and flanked by his brothers, sat with crown and garland, sword in hand, but angered, he flung it down. Bewildered by Maya’s illusion, 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. At this, Bhima burst into laughter, joined by the women and other kings. Though Yudhishthira tried to restrain them, Krishna signaled his approval of their laughter. Ashamed, with downcast face and burning with anger, Duryodhana departed silently for Gajaha. A great cry of “Alas!” arose among the virtuous, and Ajatasatru was troubled in heart. The Blessed Lord remained silent, wishing to lighten the earth’s burden, and observed all with wandering eyes. O King, thus have I related what you inquired about—the wickedness and humiliation of Suyodhana at the great Rajasuya sacrifice. Thus concludes the seventy-fifth chapter, “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 of another wondrous deed of Krishna—how the playful, bodyless Lord slew the lord of Saubha. Shalva, a friend of Shishupala, had come to the wedding of Rukmini, and there, he and other kings like Jarasandha were defeated in battle by the Yadus. Stung by defeat, Shalva vowed before all the kings, “I will rid the earth of the Yadavas—witness my valor!” Having made this reckless vow, the king worshipped the Lord, the master of creatures, by swallowing a handful of dust in solemn observance. At the end of a year, the gracious Lord—husband of Uma—being easily pleased, offered Shalva a boon. Shalva requested a vehicle, terrifying to the Vrishnis, which could travel anywhere at will and could not be destroyed by gods, demons, humans, Gandharvas, serpents, or Rakshasas. “So be it,” said Lord Girisha, and at his command, Maya, the conqueror of enemy cities, constructed for Shalva an iron city called Saubha. Armed with this formidable, wish-fulfilling, and impenetrable vehicle, Shalva set out for Dvaravati, his heart burning with enmity towards the Vrishnis. O best of the Bharatas, Shalva besieged the city with his vast army, laying waste to its suburbs and gardens. The city gates, towers, palaces, balconies, pleasure grounds, and lofty mansions—all were battered by relentless showers of weapons. Stones, trees, thunderbolts, serpents, and gravel fell in torrents, while a fierce whirlwind rose, covering every direction in dust. Thus, as Krishna’s city was sorely afflicted by Saubha, it found no peace, just as the earth had once suffered under the assault of Tripura. Witnessing his people in distress, the valiant and glorious Pradyumna mounted his chariot and called out, “Do not fear!” Alongside him went Satyaki, Charudeshna, Samba, Akrura with his younger brother, Hardikya, Bhanuvinda, Gada, Shuka, Sarana, and other great archers and commanders, all well-armed and protected, with chariots, elephants, horses, and infantry. Then began a tumultuous and hair-raising battle between the Shalvas and the Yadus, fierce as the ancient wars between gods and demons.