At that sacred place, Bhagavān Balarāma, though untouched by the bonds of karma, performed a grand sacrifice, gathering the people as the Lord does, just as others perform such rites to remove their sins. During this great pilgrimage, the people of Bhārata, the Vṛṣṇis, and noble souls like Akrūra, Vasudeva, and Ahuka arrived, joining together in holy purpose. Many descendants of Bhārata—Gada, Pradyumna, Sāmba, Sucandra, Śuka, Sāraṇa, and others—came to that field, eager to purify themselves of their own faults. Aniruddha remained there for their protection, and the valiant Kṛtavarmā too; they shone brightly, riding chariots adorned with divine emblems and drawn by swift horses. The road was alive with the rumbling of elephants, their trumpeting like thunderclouds, and with men accompanied by Vidyādharas and celestial beings, all radiant, adorned with garlands of gold. Wearing celestial garlands, fine garments, and armor, and accompanied by their wives, they seemed to move like beings of the sky. After bathing in the sacred waters, these highly fortunate ones fasted, their minds calm and composed. With generous hearts, they gave cows, garments, garlands, and gold ornaments to the brāhmaṇas. Then, in the lakes sanctified by Rāma, the Vṛṣṇis bathed again, following the prescribed rites. They offered their own food to the foremost twice-born, praying, “May we have devotion to Kṛṣṇa.” Only after receiving permission did the Vṛṣṇis, devoted to Kṛṣṇa, partake of the food themselves. Having eaten, they sat as they pleased beneath the gentle shade of trees. There, they saw the kings who had arrived, their friends and relatives from distant lands. Among them were the Matsyas, Śīnas, Kauśalyas, Vidarbhas, Kurus, Sṛñjayas, Kāmbojas, Kaikeyas, Madras, Kuntis, Anartas, Keralas, and many more. Indeed, hundreds of others came—both allies and rivals, as well as Nanda and other friends, cowherds, and gopīs who had long yearned for this reunion. The joy of meeting each other after so long made their hearts and faces bloom like lotuses. They embraced tightly, tears streaming from their eyes, their bodies thrilled and voices choked with emotion, as happiness overflowed among them. The women, too, met with deep affection. Smiling with pure glances, they embraced, pressing their kumkum-smeared breasts together, arms entwined, their eyes brimming with tears of love. After offering respects to their elders and receiving greetings from the younger ones, they exchanged words of welcome, inquired about each other’s well-being, and joyfully engaged in discussions about Kṛṣṇa. Pṛthā (Kuntī), seeing her brothers, sisters, their sons, her parents, the wives of her brothers, and Mukunda (Kṛṣṇa) himself, felt her sorrow melt away in conversation. Yet, she spoke with gentle reproach: “Noble brothers, I consider myself without fulfilled blessings, for, O best of men, in my times of distress, you do not remember my plight. Friends, relatives, sons, brothers, and even parents do not always remember their own kin when fate turns against them.” Śrī Vasudeva replied with compassion, “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 Kaṃsa, were scattered in every direction, but now, O sister, by fate alone, we have once again attained our proper place.” Śuka continued: Honored by Vasudeva, Ugrasena, and the Yadus, the assembled kings were filled with joy upon beholding Acyuta (Kṛṣṇa). Among them were Bhīṣma, Droṇa, the son of Ambikā (Dhṛtarāṣṭra), Gandhārī with her sons, the Pāṇḍavas with their wives, Kuntī, Sañjaya, Vidura, and Kṛpa; also present were Kuntībhoja, Virāṭa, Bhīṣmaka, Nagnajit, Purujit, Drupada, Śalya, Dhṛṣṭaketu, and the king of Kāśi, as well as Damaghoṣa, Viśālākṣa, the king of Mithilā, the Madra and Kekaya kings, Yudhāmanyu, Suśarmā, the sons of Bāhlika, and many others. All the kings devoted to Yudhiṣṭhira were astonished as they beheld the glorious form of Śauri (Kṛṣṇa), the abode of Śrī, together with his wives. Honored by Rāma and Kṛṣṇa, they joyfully praised the Vṛṣṇis, followers of Kṛṣṇa: “Ah, O king of the Bhojas, you are truly blessed among men, for you behold Kṛṣṇa again and again, who is difficult even for yogis to see. He whose fame is praised by the Vedas, whose pure glory sanctifies, whose foot-washing water, words, and teachings purify; even this earth, though deprived of fortune by time, is showered with all 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 who dwell in homes on the path to hell—Viṣṇu himself, giver of heaven and liberation, has become your companion.” Śuka narrated further: Nanda, learning that the Yadus had arrived, led by Kṛṣṇa, came there, surrounded by the cowherds, eager to see them, bringing suitable gifts. Seeing him, the Vṛṣṇis were overjoyed, as if their very lives had returned to their bodies. Longing for reunion after so long, they embraced him tightly. Vasudeva, overwhelmed with love, embraced Nanda, recalling the hardships caused by Kaṃsa and the entrusting of his son in Gokula. Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma embraced their parents and offered obeisance, but, choked with tears of love, they could not utter a word. Seating them on their own seat and embracing them with both arms, the blessed Yaśodā and her husband let go of all their sorrows for their sons. Rohiṇī and Devakī then embraced the queen of Vraja, Yaśodā; remembering her friendship, their throats choked with tears as they spoke: “Who could ever forget your unwavering friendship, O Queen of Vraja? Even after attaining and relinquishing the sovereignty of Indra, there is no recompense for it in this world. Your parents, having delighted, prospered, nourished, and protected you, have fulfilled their duty. Just as eyelashes protect the eyes, so too, the virtuous have no fear, for heaven is not their ultimate goal.” Śuka described how the gopīs, at last seeing their beloved Kṛṣṇa, cursed their own eyelashes for even momentarily obstructing their vision. Embracing him with their eyes, they absorbed him into their hearts, attaining a state of devotion rarely achieved even by those always united with him. The Blessed Lord, approaching them in solitude, embraced them, inquired about their well-being, and smiling, spoke: “Do you remember our friendship, and how we, intent on fulfilling our own purposes, departed for so long, our minds absorbed in destroying the enemy’s faction? Did you perhaps resent us, suspecting us of ingratitude? Surely, the Lord unites and separates all beings.” Thus, in that sacred gathering, the bonds of kinship, friendship, and devotion were renewed and sanctified, all hearts overflowing with the joy of reunion and the presence of the Lord.