The astonished Brahmin gazed upon his wife, who now shone with a celestial radiance among the maidservants, her beauty enhanced by a splendid necklace that set her apart from those around her. Overwhelmed with joy and united with her, he entered his own palace, a magnificent abode adorned with hundreds of jeweled pillars, resembling the grand mansion of Indra himself. Within the palace, he beheld luxurious beds soft as milk foam, their surfaces gentle and decorated with gold. There were couches with golden rails, and yak-tail fans waved gracefully in the air. Golden seats with plush cushions awaited, while canopies hung with garlands of pearls cast a gentle glow. Shining coverings adorned the halls, and on the crystal-clear walls and vast emerald floors, jeweled lamps illuminated the space. Women adorned with precious gems added to the splendor. As the Brahmin took in this abundance, he reflected calmly on his newfound prosperity, which had come to him without any apparent cause. He thought, “Surely, this is the root of my good fortune, I who was always poor and unfortunate. What else could explain such wealth, except the grace of the foremost among the Yadus?” He considered further, “Even without asking, the generous king gives abundantly to those who seek, like a cloud that observes and provides. He is my friend, the chief of the Dasharhas. Even when he gives a little, it is with the affection of a friend. Though he is a great benefactor, he accepted from me a mere handful of parched grain, offered with love.” With a heart full of devotion, the Brahmin prayed, “May I have friendship, companionship, and service to him, birth after birth. Through association with that great soul, the abode of virtues, my attachment is firmly fixed.” He understood, “For the devoted, the Lord grants wondrous prosperity and kingdoms. But the unborn one does not bestow such wealth upon those who lack discernment, for he knows himself to be both the downfall and the pride of the wealthy.” Thus resolved in his mind, the devotee of Janardana enjoyed the pleasures surrounding him, yet without excessive attachment. For Hari, the Lord of sacrifice and god of gods, considers the Brahmins his very origin; nothing is higher than them. In this way, the Brahmin, a dear friend of the Lord, witnessed even the unconquered one being defeated by his own servants. With his mind bound in meditation on the Lord, he soon attained the Lord’s own abode—the path of the virtuous. It is said that whoever hears this account of the Lord, who is ever devoted to the Brahmins, will gain devotion to him and be freed from the bondage of karma. Thus ends the eighty-first chapter, “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, learning of this, people from all directions journeyed to the field of Samantapanchaka, seeking auspicious blessings. Rama, the foremost among wielders of weapons, had once made the earth devoid of kshatriyas, creating great lakes from the blood of kings. There, Bhagavan Rama performed a sacrifice, though untouched by karma, gathering the people as the Lord, just as others do to remove sin. During that great pilgrimage, the people of Bharata, the Vrishnis, Akrura, Vasudeva, Ahuka, and many others arrived. Descendants of Bharata such as Gada, Pradyumna, Samba, Sucandra, Shuka, and Sarana also came, seeking to expiate their sins. Aniruddha and Krtavarma, the leader, remained for protection, shining as they rode chariots adorned with divine emblems and swift horses. The procession included elephants roaring like clouds, men accompanied by Vidyadharas and celestial beings, all radiant and adorned with golden garlands. Wearing divine garlands, garments, and armor, and accompanied by their wives, they appeared like celestial beings moving across the sky. After bathing, the highly fortunate ones fasted and composed themselves. They offered cows, garments, garlands, and golden ornaments to the Brahmins. Then, in the lakes of Rama, the Vrishnis bathed again according to the prescribed rites. They gave their own food to the foremost twice-born, praying for devotion to Krishna. With the Brahmins’ blessings, the Vrishnis, devoted to Krishna, then partook of their meal. Having eaten, they sat as they pleased beneath gentle, shady trees. There, they saw the kings who had gathered—friends, relatives, and allies. They saw the Matsyas, Shinas, Kaushalyas, Vidarbhas, Kurus, Sringayas, Kambojas, Kaikeyas, Madras, Kuntis, Anartas, and Keralas, and many others, both allies and rivals, as well as Nanda and other friends, cowherds, and gopis who had long yearned for this reunion. With intense joy at seeing each other, their hearts and faces bloomed like lotuses. They embraced tightly, tears flowing from their eyes, their skin thrilled, and their voices choked with emotion—they attained true happiness. The women, too, met with deep affection, smiling with pure glances. They embraced, pressing their kumkum-smeared breasts against each other, their arms entwined and eyes filled with tears of love. After bowing to their elders and being greeted by the younger ones, they exchanged warm welcomes and inquired about each other’s well-being, engaging in joyful discussions about Krishna. Pritha (Kunti), seeing her brothers, sisters, their sons, her parents, the wives of her brothers, and Mukunda himself, found her sorrow vanish through their loving 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.” But Vasudeva gently 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, were scattered in every direction, but now, O sister, by fate alone, we have once again attained our proper place.” Shri Shuka continued: Honored by Vasudeva, Ugrasena, and the Yadus, the assembled kings were filled with supreme joy and contentment upon beholding Acyuta. Among them were Bhishma, Drona, the son of Ambika, Gandhari with her sons, the Pandavas with their wives, Kunti, Sanjaya, Vidura, and Kripa.