When Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa, also known as Balarāma, performed an act that shocked the sages, their hearts were filled with distress. They cried out in lamentation, “O Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa, you have committed a wrongful deed! O descendant of Yadu, we had granted him the seat of Brahmā, along with life and freedom from fatigue for the duration of this sacrifice.” Their voices trembled with sorrow as they continued, “Unknowingly, you have committed the sin of brahma-hatya, the killing of a brāhmaṇa, O master of yoga. Even your great name is not exempt from the laws of dharma.” With deep concern, the sages implored him, “If this act will purify the sin of brahma-hatya, O purifier of the worlds, then you yourself should undertake whatever expiation is proper, without being prompted by another.” Hearing their words, the Blessed Lord responded with humility and resolve: “I shall perform the prescribed expiation for this act, desiring the welfare of the world. Let the same rule be established as in the first age.” He assured the sages, “Long life, strength, and senses were indeed promised to him. What you have spoken, I shall accomplish by my yogic power.” The sages replied, “Let it be so, O Rāma, that your word, the power of your weapon, and death for us all remain true.” Then the Lord declared, “The self is indeed born as the son—so declares the Veda. Therefore, let his son be the speaker, endowed with life, senses, and strength.” Turning to the sages, he asked, “What is your wish, O best of sages? Speak, and I shall do it. Consider well, O wise ones, how I may atone for my unknowing act.” The sages then revealed their plight: “There is a fierce demon named Balvala, son of Ilvala. He comes at every festival and defiles our sacrifice. O descendant of Daśārha, slay that wicked one for us—that is our highest wish. He showers pus, blood, excrement, urine, liquor, and flesh upon us, disturbing our sacred rites.” The sages prescribed, “Then, having left the land of Bharata with a steady mind, after wandering for twelve months and bathing at holy places, you will become purified.” Much later, King Parīkṣit said, “O venerable one, I wish to hear other heroic deeds of Mukunda, the great soul whose power is infinite, O master.” He added, “O brāhmaṇa, who, having heard the sacred stories of the praiseworthy Lord even once, would cease listening—except one who is deeply afflicted by the arrows of desire and ignorant of their true worth? That speech by which one praises His qualities, those hands that perform His deeds, that mind which remembers Him dwelling among all beings, and those ears that hear His holy stories—these alone are truly speech, hands, mind, and ears. That head is truly a head which bows to Him who bears both forms; those eyes alone see which behold Him; those limbs are truly limbs which always serve the water that has washed the feet of Viṣṇu or His devotees.” Then Sūta said, “Thus questioned by Viṣṇurāta, the blessed son of Badarāyaṇa, whose heart was immersed in Lord Vāsudeva, spoke.” Śuka began, “Kṛṣṇa had a certain brāhmaṇa friend, most learned in the Veda, detached from sense pleasures, peaceful in mind, and self-controlled. Living as a householder, he sustained himself with whatever came by chance. His wife, thin from hunger, was just like him—her clothing in tatters.” One day, that devoted wife, her face pale from suffering, approached her impoverished husband. Trembling, she spoke gently, “O brāhmaṇa, is not the Lord, the husband of Śrī herself, your friend? He is devoted to the brāhmaṇas, the refuge of all, and the exalted Lord of the Sātvatas. Go to Him, O blessed one, who is the supreme shelter of the virtuous. He will surely give abundant wealth to you, a householder in distress. He now resides in Dvārakā as the Lord of the Bhojas, Vṛṣṇis, and Andhakas. Even as He remembers His lotus feet, He offers Himself to His devotees. Why would the teacher of the world not grant the desired objects, even those not sought, to one who worships Him?” Thus, repeatedly entreated by his gentle wife, the brāhmaṇa thought, “Indeed, the greatest gain is to see the Lord praised in the highest hymns.” Inspired by her words, he resolved to go. “Is there any gift at home, O good lady? Let something be given,” he asked. She went to the neighboring brāhmaṇas, begged four handfuls of flat rice, tied them in a piece of cloth, and gave them to her husband as an offering. Taking this humble gift, the foremost brāhmaṇa set out for Dvārakā, his heart yearning for a vision of Kṛṣṇa. Passing through three enclosures and three courtyards, he entered the homes of the Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis, who walked the path of the infallible Lord. He came to one of the houses of Hari’s sixteen thousand queens, and, as if attaining divine bliss, was filled with joy. From afar, Acyuta—Kṛṣṇa Himself—was seated on his beloved’s couch. Seeing his dear friend approach, the Lord immediately rose, hurried to greet him, and joyfully embraced him with both arms. Overwhelmed by the touch of his cherished friend, the sage among the twice-born, the lotus-eyed Lord shed tears of joy. After seating his friend upon the couch, Kṛṣṇa Himself performed the proper honors, bringing water and washing his feet with His own hands. O King, the Lord, purifier of the worlds, respectfully took the water with His head and anointed His guest with divine fragrances of sandalwood, aguru, and saffron. With fragrant incense and rows of lamps, He worshipped his friend with joy, offered him betel nut, and, after presenting a cow, spoke words of welcome. The goddess herself served the twice-born guest, who was clad in worn, soiled garments, emaciated, and with veins prominent, by fanning him with a yak-tail fan. Seeing the avadhūta, so honored by Kṛṣṇa of spotless fame, the women of the inner chambers were amazed and filled with great affection. They wondered, “What pious act has this avadhūta, this mendicant, performed—he who is destitute of fortune, despised and lowly in this world?” Yet, he was so honored by Śrīnivāsa, the Lord of the three worlds, and embraced like an elder brother, even as the goddess of fortune remained seated on the couch. The two friends began to recount delightful stories from their time together in the preceptor’s house, O King, holding each other’s hands as they spoke. Then the Blessed Lord said, “O brāhmaṇa, after you completed your studies in the preceptor’s house and offered the proper fee, did you marry a suitable wife or not, O knower of dharma?