Arjuna, renowned for his skill and concentration, gazed into the water, where the image of a fish shimmered below the surface. Understanding the challenge before him, he carefully released his arrow, which did not cut through but gently touched the target. The assembled kings, their pride wounded by their failure, withdrew from the contest. Then the Lord Himself, Krishna, effortlessly took up the bow and strung it, displaying His divine prowess. With perfect aim, Krishna looked once at the fish reflected in the water. In that single glance, He released His arrow, striking the target so precisely that the fish fell, all while the sun shone in the Abhijit constellation—a moment of cosmic significance. At that auspicious moment, I entered the arena. My anklets tinkled softly as I walked, carrying a radiant golden garland studded with gems. I was adorned in a new silk garment, my hair crowned with a floral wreath, and a bashful smile graced my face. Lifting my face, my large earrings gleamed and my cheeks glowed. I cast gentle, smiling glances around at the assembled kings, and with a heart devoted to Murāri, I placed my garland upon Krishna’s shoulder, signifying my choice. Immediately, the air filled with the sounds of celebration—drums, kettledrums, conches, trumpets, and other instruments resounded. Dancers performed and singers sang in joyous harmony. But among the chiefs of men, those who had desired me were unable to tolerate my choice. Burning with longing, they competed fiercely with one another. Krishna placed me on His chariot, yoked with four splendid horses. He took up the Śārṅga bow, donned His armor, and stood ready for battle, manifesting four arms. Dāruka, His charioteer, drove the chariot adorned with golden fittings, while the kings watched, just as the king of beasts carries off his prize before other animals. Some kings pursued us, determined to block Krishna’s path, armed with drawn bows, like village lions chasing Hari. But struck by volleys of arrows from the Śārṅga bow, their arms, legs, and necks were severed; some fell in battle, while others abandoned the fight and fled. Triumphant, the Lord of the Yadus entered the city, beautifully decorated with banners shading the sun and painted gateways, celebrated both in heaven and on earth, like a ship returning to its own harbor. My father honored Krishna’s friends, relatives, and kin with precious garments, ornaments, beds, seats, and other gifts. He gave maidservants, all kinds of wealth, soldiers, chariots, horses, and valuable weapons, offering them with full devotion. We, the maidservants of Krishna’s household, came to serve Him by the power of true austerity and complete detachment, attending upon Him who is self-satisfied. The queens spoke among themselves: “Having slain Bhauma and his followers in battle, Krishna freed us, the princesses conquered by him. Remembering His lotus feet, the fulfiller of all desires, He accepted us in marriage, granting us liberation from worldly bondage.” “We do not desire sovereignty, lordship, rulership, or even the supreme position of Brahmā, nor even the endless abode of Hari. We desire only to bear on our heads the dust of His glorious feet, fragrant with the scent of His consort’s breast-unguent, He who wields the mace. The cowherd women of Vraja, the Pulinda women, the grasses and herbs, the cows, and the cowherd boys—all long for the touch of the feet of that great soul as He tends the cows.” Śuka then spoke: When Kuntī, Subhadrā, Draupadī, Mādhavī, the royal wives, and their own gopīs heard of the deep affection Krishna, the Supreme Soul, had for them, they were all amazed, their eyes brimming with tears. As the women spoke among themselves and the men among men, the sages arrived, eager to see Krishna and Balarāma. Among them were Vyāsa, Nārada, Cyavana, Devala, Asita, Viśvāmitra, Śatānanda, Bharadvāja, and Gautama. Rāma arrived with his disciples, along with the venerable Vasiṣṭha, Gālava, Bhṛgu, Pulastya, Kaśyapa, Atri, Mārkaṇḍeya, and Bṛhaspati. Dvitas, Trita, Ekata—the sons of Brahmā—came, as did Aṅgirā, Agastya, Yājñavalkya, Vāmadeva, and many others. Seeing these revered sages, the kings who had been seated, along with the Pāṇḍavas, Krishna, and Balarāma, immediately rose and bowed in respect. They worshipped the sages as was proper, and Rāma and Acyuta honored them with words of welcome, seats, water for washing feet, offerings, garlands, incense, and ointments. The Lord, embodiment of righteousness, addressed the sages as they sat comfortably, while the great assembly listened in silence to His measured words. Krishna said: “Ah, we who are born into this world have attained the highest fruit, which is difficult even for the gods to obtain—the sight of the masters of yoga. What to say of those men of little austerity, who, in the worship of the gods—the eyes of the world—gain the chance to see, touch, question, and bow to the feet of such beings? Neither sacred waters, nor gods made of clay and stone, purify in the same way; it is the holy ones who purify, simply by their sight, even in a brief moment. Neither fire, nor sun, nor moon and stars, nor earth, water, sky, wind, speech, or mind—though worshipped as separate—remove sin; the wise destroy it by serving the enlightened, even for a moment. He who identifies the self with the body of three elements, regards wife and kin as his own, worships earth as sacred, and sees holy places only as water, but never seeks out the wise—he is no better than a cow or donkey.” Śuka remarked: Hearing Krishna’s words, whose wisdom is unfathomable, the sages sat silent, their minds perplexed by the depth of His speech. After long deliberation, the sages, smiling at the Lord of the universe, said that His sovereignty was for gathering people together. The sages addressed Krishna: “By your māyā, O highest knower of truth, even we, the lords among the creators of the world, are bewildered. Your mastery is hidden by your own mysterious power—how wondrous are the Lord’s actions! Though without desire, you create, maintain, and withdraw the world in many ways, yet are not bound—just as the earth, though appearing in many forms and names, remains unchanged. How marvelous and mysterious are the acts of your greatness! Yet, at the proper time, for the protection of Your own people, You assume the mode of goodness, and also for the subjugation of the wicked; by Your own play, You uphold the eternal path of the Veda, O Supreme Person, who are the soul of the varṇāśrama order. “O Brahman, Your heart is pure, attained through austerity, study, and self-restraint; in it is realized that which is manifest, unmanifest, and beyond both. Therefore, O Brahman, You honor the community of Brahmins, the very source of the scriptures and of Yourself; thus You become the foremost among those devoted to Brahman. Today, our birth, our learning, our austerity, and our vision have borne fruit, for by meeting You, who are the highest goal, we have attained the supreme good.