With the great sacrifice concluded, the noble host lavishly honored all his relatives, their wives and sons, as well as the people of Vidarbha, Kosala, Kuru, Kashi, Kekaya, and Sṛñjaya. He extended his reverence to the members of the assembly, the officiating priests, the sages, the kings, and even to the spirits, ancestors, and wandering mendicants. Once they had taken leave of the Lord’s abode, these honored guests departed, offering blessings as they went to the site of the sacrifice. Among those present were Dhṛtarāṣṭra, his younger brother, the sons of Pṛthā, the venerable Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Pṛthā herself, the two sons of Yamā, Nārada, the divine Vyāsa, and many of their friends and relatives. The Yadus, embracing their kinsmen with hearts softened by deep affection, prepared to return to their own lands, enduring the pain of separation from their loved ones. Nanda, accompanied by the cowherds, was especially worshipped with great honor by Kṛṣṇa, Rāma, Ugrasena, and the other Yadus. Fond of his relatives, Nanda chose to remain there for some time. Vasudeva, having crossed the vast ocean of his desires with ease, surrounded by friends and filled with joy, approached Nanda, gently taking his hand. With heartfelt emotion, Śrī Vasudeva spoke: “Brother, the bond of affection that ties people together, known as love, is truly difficult to abandon—even for the strongest heroes and the greatest yogis. This friendship, established by noble souls even toward those who have not reciprocated, and whose fruits are offered in the spirit of friendship, should never be forsaken. In earlier times, dear brother, we did not always act for each other’s welfare. Now, blinded by pride in our prosperity, we fail to see those who stand before us. O bestower of honor, may the splendor of sovereignty never come to one who truly desires well-being, for such grandeur blinds a man to his own people and relatives.” Moved by these words, Vasudeva—his heart softened by affection and recalling the friendship shown to him—began to weep, his eyes brimming with tears. Nanda, honored by the Yadus for the love he had shown to Govinda and Rāma, lingered there for three months, always thinking, “Today, tomorrow,” reluctant to depart. At last, Nanda, filled with longing, together with his kin and the people of Vraja, was honored with the finest ornaments, silks, and many priceless gifts. Vasudeva, Ugrasena, Kṛṣṇa, Uddhava, Balarāma, and others bestowed abundant presents upon him. Thus, Nanda and his companions, their minds absorbed in the lotus feet of Govinda and unable to withdraw their thoughts from him, took their leave and set out for Mathurā. When their dear relatives had departed, the Vṛṣṇis, whose beloved deity was Kṛṣṇa, saw that the rainy season was approaching and returned once more to Dvārakā. There, they joyfully recounted to the people all the wondrous events of the great Yadu festival held during the pilgrimage, the meetings with friends, and all that had transpired. Thus concludes the eighty-fourth chapter, “The Description of Pilgrimage,” in the glorious Bhāgavata Mahāpurāṇa, a scripture for the supreme renunciates. Later, King Parīkṣit, eager to know more, inquired: “O Brahman, tell me about the sister of Rāma and Kṛṣṇa—how Arjuna came to marry her, and how she became my grandmother.” Śuka replied: Arjuna, while traveling on pilgrimage across the earth, came to Prabhāsa. There, he heard news of his maternal cousin. Some said that Rāma intended to give her in marriage to Duryodhana, while others disagreed. Desiring her himself, Arjuna took up the vows of a renunciate with three staffs and journeyed to Dvārakā. There, seeking his purpose, Arjuna stayed for several months, being honored repeatedly by the townspeople and by Rāma, who did not recognize him in his ascetic guise. One day, Rāma brought him home as a guest, offering him food with great faith, and Arjuna accepted what was brought as alms. In that house, Arjuna beheld a maiden of such beauty that she captivated the hearts of all heroes. His own heart, moved by affection and delight, was set upon her. The maiden, too, seeing Arjuna, chose him in her heart, her gaze drawn to him with bashful, sidelong glances and a gentle smile, as is natural for women. Arjuna, constantly thinking of her and overwhelmed by desire, found no peace—his mind bewildered by overpowering passion. Then, during a grand festival, as she rode in a chariot and left the fortress, Arjuna, with the approval of her parents and of Kṛṣṇa, the mighty charioteer, carried her away. Standing tall on his chariot and taking up his bow, Arjuna scattered the brave warriors who tried to block his path, dispersing his own people as a lion scatters a herd of deer. When Rāma heard of this, he was agitated like the ocean at the full moon. But Kṛṣṇa, along with friends, held Rāma’s feet and soothed his heart. Joyful at the wedding, Bala sent abundant gifts—elephants, chariots, horses, men, and women, all of great wealth. Among Kṛṣṇa’s devotees was a renowned Brahman named Śrutadeva, known for his exclusive devotion to Kṛṣṇa. Content in all things, peaceful, wise, and free from indulgence, he lived among the Videhas in Mithilā. As a householder, he accepted only what came to him by chance and performed his duties without effort, satisfied with whatever he received each day, and performing the appropriate rites as needed. The ruler of that land was Bahulāśva, a humble and virtuous Maithila king. Both Śrutadeva and Bahulāśva were dear to Acyuta. Pleased with their devotion, the Lord mounted a chariot brought by Dāruka, and together with many sages, set out for the land of the Videhas. Among these sages were Nārada, Vāmadeva, Atri, Kṛṣṇa, Rāma, Asita, Aruṇi, Śuka himself, Bṛhaspati, Kaṇva, Maitreya, Cyavana, and others. Wherever the Lord went, citizens and people of the land eagerly approached, bearing offerings, as if greeting the rising sun surrounded by 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. Men and women alike drank in his presence with their eyes. To those whose inner darkness was dispelled by his compassionate glance, the Guru of the three worlds granted safety and the blessing of beholding his divine form. The praises sung by gods and men resounded in all directions, pure as the sky and dispelling all misfortune, as the Lord slowly entered Videha. Hearing that Acyuta had arrived, the citizens and people of the land, filled with joy, came forth to greet him, bearing offerings in their hands.