For those devoted to the Supreme Lord, He bestows wondrous prosperity, granting even kingdoms; yet the unborn Lord does not give such boons to those lacking discernment, for He knows Himself to be both the downfall and the pride of the wealthy. Thus, the devotee of Janardana, firmly resolved in mind, enjoyed the pleasures that surrounded him, but without undue attachment or indulgence. For Lord Hari, the Lord of sacrifice and the god of gods, the brāhmaṇas are the very source; there is nothing higher than them. In this way, the brāhmin, who was a dear friend of the Lord, saw even the unconquered Lord apparently defeated by His own servants. His mind wholly absorbed in meditation upon the Lord, he soon attained that supreme abode—the path of the virtuous. Whoever hears this account of the Lord’s devotion to the brāhmins, and thus gains devotion to Him, is freed from the bondage of karma. Thus concludes the eighty-first chapter, "The Story of Prithu’s Anger," in the great Purana, Srimad Bhagavata, the scripture of the supreme paramahamsas. Shri Shuka continued: Once, while Balarama and Krishna were residing in Dvaraka, a great solar eclipse occurred—a rare event, as happens at the end of a kalpa. Knowing this, people from all directions journeyed to the holy field of Samantapanchaka, seeking auspiciousness at this extraordinary time. Balarama, the foremost among those who wield weapons, had once made the earth devoid of kshatriyas, and by the flood of kings’ blood, he created great lakes there. At this sacred place, Bhagavan Balarama performed a great sacrifice, though untouched by karma Himself, gathering the people as the Lord does, just as others perform such rites to remove sin. During this grand pilgrimage, the people of Bharata, the Vrishnis, and prominent figures such as Akrura, Vasudeva, Ahuka, and many others arrived. The descendants of Bharata—Gada, Pradyumna, Samba, Sucandra, Shuka, Sarana, and others—also came to the field, wishing to atone for their own sins. Aniruddha and Krtavarma, leaders among them, remained for protection; they shone, riding chariots adorned with divine emblems and swift horses. The procession was magnificent—elephants roared like thunderclouds, accompanied by men, Vidyadharas, and celestial beings, all adorned with golden garlands, creating a brilliant spectacle along the road. Wearing divine garlands, garments, and armor, and accompanied by their wives, they appeared almost celestial. There, after bathing, the highly fortunate ones fasted, their minds fully composed. They gave cows, garments, garlands, and gold ornaments to the brāhmaṇas. Then, in the lakes created by Balarama, the Vrishnis bathed again, following the prescribed rites. Offering their own food to the foremost twice-born, they prayed, "May we have devotion to Krishna," and, with permission, the Vrishnis themselves partook of the meal. After eating, they sat as they pleased beneath gentle, shady trees. There, they beheld the many kings who had arrived, along with friends and relatives. They saw the Matsyas, Shinas, Kaushalyas, Vidarbhas, Kurus, Sringayas, Kambojas, Kaikeyas, Madras, Kuntis, Anartas, and Keralas, and hundreds of others—both allies and rivals. Nanda and other friends, cowherds, and gopis who had long yearned for this meeting were also present. With hearts full of intense joy at seeing one another, their faces bloomed like lotuses. They embraced tightly, tears streaming down their faces, their skin thrilled, and their voices choked with emotion—they attained true happiness. The women, too, greeted each other with deep affection, smiling with pure glances and embracing; pressing their kumkum-smeared breasts together, their arms entwined, their eyes overflowed with tears of love. After bowing to elders and being greeted by the younger ones, they exchanged words of welcome and inquired of each other’s well-being, engaging in heartfelt conversations about Krishna. Pritha (Kunti), seeing her brothers, sisters, their sons, her parents, the wives of her brothers, and above all, Mukunda Himself, found her sorrow vanish through their comforting words. Kunti spoke: "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." 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 Lord’s control, 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 (Dhritarashtra), Gandhari with her sons, the Pandavas with their wives, Kunti, Sanjaya, Vidura, and Kripa; also present were Kuntibhoja, Virata, Bhishmaka, the great Nagnajit, Purujit, Drupada, Shalya, Dhrishtaketu, the king of Kasi, Damaghosha, Vishalaksha, the king of Mithila, the Madra and Kekaya kings, Yudhamanyu, Susharma, the sons of Bahlika, and many others. All the kings who were devoted to Yudhishthira were astonished as they beheld the glorious form of Sauri (Krishna), the very abode of Sri, surrounded by His wives. Duly honored by Rama and Krishna, they joyfully praised the Vrishnis, the followers of Krishna: "Ah, O King of the Bhojas, you are truly blessed among men, for you behold Krishna again and again, whom even great yogis struggle to see. The fame of whom is celebrated by the Vedas, whose pure glory sanctifies all, whose foot-washing water, words, and teachings purify; even this earth, though deprived of fortune by time, is showered with blessings by the touch of His lotus feet. By seeing Him, touching Him, following in His footsteps, conversing, sharing beds, seats, meals, kinship, and family ties—even those dwelling in houses on the path to hell—Vishnu Himself, the giver of heaven and liberation, has become your companion." Shri Shuka continued: When Nanda learned that the Yadus had arrived, led by Krishna, he came there, surrounded by cowherds and eager to see them, bringing gifts suitable for the occasion. Seeing him, the Vrishnis were overjoyed, as if their very lives had returned to their bodies; longing for reunion after so long, they embraced him tightly. Vasudeva, embracing Nanda with affection and overwhelmed with love, remembered the hardships caused by Kamsa and how he had entrusted his beloved son to the care of Gokula.