After the sacred rites for the wives and the final ablutions were completed, the assembly of great sages, along with the priests and led by the principal sacrificer, all bathed together in the holy waters of Rama Lake. Emerging purified from the lake, the sacrificer distributed his ornaments and garments generously among the bards and women present. Then, adorning himself anew, he honored the priests and all the assembled guests with sumptuous food. He did not stop there; his hospitality extended lavishly to his relatives, their wives and sons, and to the people who had come from far and wide—from Vidarbha, Kosala, Kuru, Kashi, Kekaya, and Sṛñjaya. The assembly members, officiating priests, sages, kings, spirits, ancestors, and wandering mendicants were all honored. When their time at the Lord’s abode concluded, they departed for the sacrifice, bestowing blessings as they went. Among those present were Dhṛtarāṣṭra, his younger brother, the sons of Pṛthā, Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Pṛthā herself, the two sons of Yamā, Nārada, the divine Vyāsa, and their friends and relatives. With hearts softened by affection, these noble souls embraced their kinsmen, the Yadus, and though pained by the coming separation, some departed for their own lands. Nanda, the chief of the cowherds, was especially honored by Kṛṣṇa, Balarāma, Ugrasena, and others. Pleased by their affection and his kinship, Nanda lingered there, happy among his relatives. Vasudeva, his heart now light, having crossed the vast ocean of worldly desires, stood surrounded by friends and, with a joyful mind, approached Nanda and took his hand. Vasudeva spoke warmly, “Brother, the bond of affection that holds people together, which we call love, is not easily abandoned—even by heroes and yogis. True friendship, established by the noble even toward those who do not reciprocate, and whose fruits are offered in friendship, should never be forsaken. In the past, we brothers did not always act for each other’s welfare; and now, blinded by pride in our prosperity, we often 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 power can blind a person to his own people and kin.” As Vasudeva spoke, his heart, loosened by affection and memories of friendship, overflowed, and tears filled his eyes. Nanda, cherished by the Yadus for the love he had shown to dear Govinda and Balarāma, stayed on for three months, always thinking, “Today, tomorrow,” unable to bring himself to leave. Eventually, filled with longing, Nanda, his family, and the people of Vraja were honored with the finest ornaments, silks, and priceless gifts. Laden with abundant treasures from Vasudeva, Ugrasena, Kṛṣṇa, Uddhava, and Balarāma, Nanda and his kin set out on their journey home. Yet, as the cowherds and their womenfolk departed, their minds remained absorbed in the lotus feet of Govinda; they could not draw their thoughts away, even as they made their way toward Mathurā. After their relatives had departed, the Vṛṣṇis, for whom Kṛṣṇa was the Supreme Deity, saw the rainy season approaching and returned to Dvārakā. There, they joyfully recounted to the people the great festival of the Yadu gods, the pilgrimage, and the blessed meetings with friends and other memorable events. Thus concludes the eighty-fourth chapter, “The Description of Pilgrimage,” in the tenth book, second half, of the glorious Bhāgavata Mahāpurāṇa, scripture for the supreme renunciates. Later, King Parīkṣit inquired, “O Brahman, I wish to know about the sister of Rāma and Kṛṣṇa—how Arjuna married her, and how she became my grandmother.” Śuka replied, “While journeying on pilgrimage, the mighty Arjuna wandered the earth and came to Prabhāsa, where he heard news of his maternal cousin. Some said that Balarāma intended to give her in marriage to Duryodhana, while others disagreed. Desiring her, Arjuna disguised himself as a renunciate with three staffs and journeyed to Dvārakā. There, with his own purpose in mind, he stayed for several months, honored by the townspeople and by Balarāma, who did not recognize him in his ascetic guise. One day, Balarāma brought him home as a guest, offered him food with faith, and Arjuna gratefully accepted what was given as alms. In that house, Arjuna saw a maiden of exceptional beauty, captivating even to heroes. His heart, stirred by affection and delight, was set upon her. She too, seeing him, was drawn to him, her heart and gaze fixed upon him with bashful, sidelong glances, as is natural for young women. Arjuna, constantly thinking of her and longing for her, found no peace; his mind was confused by overpowering passion. Then, during a great festival, as she rode out in a chariot from the fortress, Arjuna—with the approval of her parents and Kṛṣṇa, the mighty charioteer—carried her away. Standing on the chariot, Arjuna took up his bow and scattered the brave warriors who tried to stop him, just as a lion scatters deer. When Balarāma heard what had happened, he was agitated like the ocean at the full moon. But Kṛṣṇa, along with friends, held his feet and calmed him. Joyful at the wedding, Balarāma sent abundant gifts—elephants, chariots, horses, men, and women, all of great wealth. Among Kṛṣṇa’s devotees was the eminent Brahman Śrutadeva, renowned for his exclusive devotion to Kṛṣṇa. Fulfilled in all aims, peaceful, wise, and free from indulgence, he lived among the Videhas in Mithilā as a householder, accepting only what came by chance and performing his duties without effort. Each day, he accepted only what was necessary for his pilgrimage, satisfied with that alone, and performed the proper rites. Likewise, the ruler of that land was Bahulāśva, a humble Maithila, both dear to Lord Acyuta. Pleased with both, the Lord mounted a chariot brought by Dāruka, and together with many sages, journeyed to the land of the Videhas. Among those who traveled with him were Nārada, Vāmadeva, Atri, Kṛṣṇa, Rāma, Asita, Aruṇi, Śuka himself, Bṛhaspati, Kaṇva, Maitreya, Cyavana, and others. Wherever the Lord went, the citizens and people of the land approached him with offerings, as if greeting the sun rising with its planets. The people of Ānarta, Dhanva, Kuru, Jāṅgala, Kaṅka, Matsya, Pāñcāla, Kunti, Madhu, Kekaya, Kośala, Arṇa, and many others gazed upon his lotus-like face, radiant with a generous smile and gentle eyes, with their own eyes—men and women alike, filled with wonder and devotion.