O King, it is said that a twice-born soul enters this world carrying three sacred debts: to the gods, to the sages, and to the ancestors. These obligations are discharged through sacrifice, the study of sacred texts, and the begetting of sons. Should one leave this life without settling these debts, he is said to fall from grace. Today, O wise Vasudeva, you have been freed from two of these debts—those owed to the sages and to the ancestors. And by performing sacrifices, you have fulfilled your duty to the gods as well. Thus, you stand free from all obligations, without any remaining burden. Moreover, O Vasudeva, you have worshipped Hari, the Lord of all worlds, with supreme devotion—so much so that He Himself has become your son. Hearing these words, Vasudeva, whose mind was great and pure, bowed his head in reverence. He pleased the assembled sages and priests and chose them to preside over the sacred rites. Those noble sages, selected by Vasudeva in accordance with righteousness, performed the sacrifices for him on that holy field, employing excellent and flawless rituals. As the consecration began, the Vrishnis adorned themselves with garlands of lotus flowers, bathed, and dressed in fine garments. The kings present were resplendent in their ornaments. The queens, filled with joy, arrived at the consecration hall without necklaces but clothed in splendid garments, their bodies anointed and bearing offerings. The air vibrated with the sounds of drums, mridangas, kettledrums, conches, and trumpets. Dancers and performers displayed their art, while bards and genealogists sang praises. Gandharva women, with their husbands, sang sweetly in harmonious music. According to the prescribed rites, the priests anointed Vasudeva—already bathed and smeared with sacred substances—together with his eighteen wives, just as the king of Soma is anointed by the stars. They adorned him with silk, bracelets, necklaces, anklets, and earrings, so that he shone with a radiant splendor, consecrated and clad in the sacrificial garment. The priests themselves, dressed in silk and adorned with jewels, shone brilliantly amidst the assembly, like Indra surrounded by the gods at a great sacrifice. Rama and Krishna, accompanied by their families, shone with their sons and wives, appearing as lords of life, radiant in their own glory. Vasudeva, following the ritual, worshipped the Lord of sacrifice, knowledge, and action with sacrifices marked by agnihotra and other sacred rites, both ordinary and special. At the proper time, he bestowed upon the priests the prescribed gifts, bestowing cows, land, daughters, and great wealth, thus adorning those who were already adorned. After performing the rituals for his wives and the concluding ablution, the great sages, together with the priests and led by Vasudeva, bathed in the sacred Rama lake. Having bathed, Vasudeva generously gave his ornaments and garments to the bards and to the women present. Then, adorning himself anew, he honored the priests and others with sumptuous food. He lavished honors upon his relatives, their wives and sons, and upon the people of Vidarbha, Kosala, Kuru, Kashi, Kekaya, and Sṛñjaya. He further honored the assembly members, officiating priests, sages, kings, spirits, ancestors, and wandering mendicants. When these guests took leave of the Lord’s abode, they departed for the sacrifice, offering blessings as they went. Dhritarashtra, his younger brother, the sons of Pritha, Bhishma, Drona, Pritha herself, the two sons of Yama, Narada, the divine Vyasa, and their friends and relatives were all present. Embracing their kinsmen, the Yadus, their hearts softened by affection, some of them departed for their own lands, bearing the pain of separation. Nanda, together with the cowherds, was honored with great love by Krishna, Rama, Ugrasena, and others. Fond of his relatives, he remained there for some time. Vasudeva, having easily crossed the vast ocean of his desires, surrounded by friends and filled with joy, approached Nanda, touched his hand, and spoke. He said, “Brother, the bond of affection among people, which is called love, is hard to abandon—even for heroes and yogis. This friendship, established by noble souls even toward those who have not returned their kindness, and whose fruit is offered in friendship, should never be forsaken. “In the past, brothers, we did not always act for each other’s welfare. Now, blinded by pride in our prosperity, we fail to see those standing before us. “O bestower of honor, may the splendor of sovereignty never come to one who desires true welfare, for such splendor blinds a man to his own people and relatives.” Thus, Vasudeva, his heart softened by affection and remembering the friendship that had been shown, wept with tears filling his eyes. Nanda, honored by the Yadus for the love he had shown to Govinda and Rama, lingered there for three months, always thinking, “Today, tomorrow,” reluctant to part. At last, filled with desires, Nanda and his kin, along with the people of Vraja, were honored with the finest ornaments, silks, and priceless gifts. Receiving abundant gifts from Vasudeva, Ugrasena, Krishna, Uddhava, Balarama, and others, Nanda, accompanied by the Yadus, set out on his way. The cowherds and cowherd women, their minds absorbed in the lotus feet of Govinda, found it hard to turn away, but they departed for Mathura. When their relatives had departed, the Vrishnis, whose deity was Krishna, seeing that the rainy season was approaching, returned again to Dvaraka. There, they recounted to the people the great festival of the Yadu gods, the events of the pilgrimage, and the joyful meetings with friends. Thus concludes the eighty-fourth chapter, entitled “The Description of Pilgrimage,” in the tenth book, second half, of the glorious Bhagavata Mahapurana, the supreme scripture for renunciates. Then, King Parikshit inquired, “O Brahman, tell us about the sister of Rama and Krishna—how did Arjuna marry her, and how did she become my grandmother?” Shuka replied: While traveling on pilgrimage, Arjuna, the mighty lord, wandered the earth and came to Prabhasa, where he heard news of his maternal cousin. Some said that Rama wished to give her in marriage to Duryodhana, while others disagreed. Desiring her for himself, Arjuna assumed the guise of a renunciate bearing three staffs and went to Dvaraka. There, seeking his own purpose, he stayed for several months, honored repeatedly by the townspeople and by Rama, who did not recognize him. One day, Rama brought Arjuna home and welcomed him as a guest, offering him food with faith. Arjuna ate what was brought to him as alms. There, he beheld a maiden of great beauty, captivating to all heroes. His heart, stirred by affection and blossoming eyes, became set upon her.