The devoted wife, her heart overflowing with love and longing, beheld her husband with eyes full of affection. Overcome by her emotions, she closed her eyes and embraced him with deep reverence, her mind and heart united in devotion. The husband, astonished by her display of love, gazed upon her as she stood radiant among the maidservants. She shone with a brilliance that set her apart, like a celestial goddess among those unadorned. Pleased and reunited with his beloved, he entered his own palace. This splendid abode, adorned with hundreds of jeweled pillars, seemed to rival the mansion of Indra himself. Inside, beds soft as milk foam, gentle and decorated with gold, awaited them. There were couches with gleaming golden rails and yak-tail fans to provide comfort. Golden seats with soft cushions were arranged beneath canopies hung with pearl garlands and shining coverings, creating an atmosphere of opulence and grace. The crystal walls sparkled, great emerald surfaces glimmered, and jeweled lamps cast their light throughout the halls. Women adorned with precious gems moved gracefully about, adding to the palace’s splendor. The Brahmin, seeing the abundance of riches all around him, reflected calmly on his own prosperity, marveling at how it had come to him without any apparent cause. He thought to himself, “Surely, this is the cause of my prosperity—me, so long unfortunate and always poor. Nothing else could explain the wealth of the foremost among the Yadus. Indeed, even without being asked, the generous king gives abundantly to those who request, like a cloud that observes and provides. He, my friend, the chief of the Dasharhas, bestows gifts freely. Whatever he gives, even if small, is given with the affection of a friend. Though he is a great giver, he accepted from me a mere handful of parched grain, offered with love.” Moved by gratitude, the Brahmin prayed, “May I have friendship, companionship, and service to him, birth after birth. Through association with that great soul, the abode of all virtues, my attachment is firmly fixed. For the devoted, the Lord indeed grants wondrous prosperity and even kingdoms; but the unborn One does not bestow such things on those lacking discernment, for he sees himself as both the downfall and the pride of the wealthy.” Thus resolved in his mind, the devotee of Janardana, though surrounded by pleasures, enjoyed them without excessive attachment. For that Lord of sacrifice, Hari—the god of gods—the Brahmins are his very origin; nothing is higher than them. The Brahmin, friend of the Lord, saw even the unconquered One humbled by his own servants. With his mind bound in meditation on the Lord, he soon attained the Lord’s abode, the path of the virtuous. It is said that whoever hears about this Lord, who is so devoted to Brahmins, and gains devotion to him, is freed from the bondage of karma. Thus ends the eighty-first chapter, named “The Story of Prithu’s Anger,” in the tenth book, second half, of the great Purana, Srimad Bhagavata, the scripture of the supreme paramahamsas. Shri Shuka continued: Once, while Rama and Krishna were residing in Dvaraka, a great solar eclipse occurred, as happens at the end of a kalpa. O King, knowing of this rare event, people from all directions journeyed to the holy field of Samantapanchaka, seeking auspiciousness. Rama, foremost among the wielders of weapons, had once made the earth devoid of kshatriyas, creating great lakes with the flood of kings’ blood. At Samantapanchaka, Bhagavan Rama performed a great sacrifice, though untouched by karma himself, gathering the people as the Lord, just as others do to remove sin. During this grand pilgrimage, people from all over Bharata arrived: the Vrishnis, Akrura, Vasudeva, Ahuka, and others. The descendants of Bharata—Gada, Pradyumna, Samba, Sucandra, Shuka, Sarana, and many more—came, wishing to atone for their sins. Aniruddha remained behind for protection, and Krtavarma, the leader, joined as well. They shone, riding in chariots adorned with divine emblems and swift horses. On the road, elephants roared like clouds, and men accompanied by Vidyadharas and celestial beings, adorned with golden garlands, added to the brilliance of the procession. Wearing divine garlands, garments, and armor, and accompanied by their wives, they appeared like beings who move freely in the sky. Upon arrival, these highly fortunate ones bathed, fasted, and composed themselves with discipline. They gave cows, garments, garlands, and gold ornaments to the Brahmins. Then, in the sacred lakes of Rama, the Vrishnis bathed again, performing the prescribed rites. They offered their own food to the foremost twice-born, praying, “May we have devotion to Krishna.” Only after the Brahmins’ permission did the Vrishnis, devoted to Krishna, partake of their meal. Having eaten, they sat as they pleased beneath gentle, shady trees. There, they saw the kings who had gathered—friends and relatives from near and far. They beheld the Matsyas, Shinas, Kaushalyas, Vidarbhas, Kurus, Sringayas, Kambojas, Kaikeyas, Madras, Kuntis, Anartas, Keralas, and many more—hundreds of others, both allies and rivals, as well as Nanda and other friends, cowherds, and gopis who had long yearned for this meeting. With the intense joy of reunion, their hearts and faces bloomed like lotuses. Embracing tightly, tears flowed from their eyes, their skin thrilled, and their voices choked with emotion—they found true happiness. The women, too, met each other with deep affection, smiling with pure glances and embracing warmly. Pressing their breasts, smeared with kumkum, against each other and wrapping their arms around one another, their eyes filled with tears of love. After bowing to the elders and being greeted by the younger ones, they exchanged welcomes, inquired after each other’s well-being, and engaged in mutual discussions about Krishna. Pritha (Kunti), seeing her brothers, sisters, their sons, her parents, the wives of her brothers, and above all Mukunda, found her sorrows vanish through conversation. Kunti said, “Noble brothers, I consider myself without fulfilled blessings, for, O best of men, in times of distress, you do not remember my plight. Friends, relatives, sons, brothers, and even parents do not remember their own kin when fate turns against them.” Sri Vasudeva replied, “O mother, do not bear resentment toward these men, who are but toys in the hands of destiny. The world is under the control of the Lord, who causes and compels all actions. All of us, tormented by Kamsa, scattered in every direction, but now, O sister, by fate alone, we have once again attained our proper place.” Shri Shuka concluded: Honored by Vasudeva, Ugrasena, and the Yadus, the kings were filled with supreme joy and contentment upon beholding Acyuta, the unconquered Lord.