Śuka continued: Moved by deep affection, Vasudeva—known as Ānakadundubhi—remembered the bonds of friendship and kindness that had been shared. Overwhelmed by emotion, his heart softened, and tears welled up in his eyes as he wept. Nanda, honored by the Yadus for the love and devotion he had shown to his dear friends Govinda (Kṛṣṇa) and Rāma (Balarāma), remained among them for three months. Each day, he lingered, thinking, “We will leave today, or perhaps tomorrow,” reluctant to part from his beloved companions. When at last the time came for departure, Nanda, along with his kin and the people of Vraja, was honored with the finest ornaments, silks, and countless priceless gifts. Vasudeva, Ugrasena, Kṛṣṇa, Uddhava, Balarāma, and others bestowed abundant gifts upon Nanda and his people, and, accompanied by the Yadus, they set out on their journey. Though Nanda, the cowherds, and the women of Vraja departed for Mathurā, their hearts remained absorbed in the lotus feet of Govinda. Their minds could not be drawn away from him, even as they left. After their relatives had departed, the Vṛṣṇis—devotees of Kṛṣṇa—saw that the rainy season was approaching and returned to their city of Dvārakā. There, they recounted to their people the great festival of the Yadu gods that had taken place during the pilgrimage, sharing stories of their meetings with friends and the many events that had occurred. Thus concludes the eighty-fourth chapter, “The Description of Pilgrimage,” in the tenth book, second half, of the glorious Bhāgavata Mahāpurāṇa, the scripture for the supreme renunciates. King Parīkṣit then said: “O revered sage, please tell us about the sister of Rāma and Kṛṣṇa—how Arjuna came to marry her, and how she became my grandmother.” Śuka replied: As Arjuna journeyed on pilgrimage across the earth, he came to Prabhāsa and there heard news of his maternal cousin—Kṛṣṇa’s sister. Some people said that Rāma would give her in marriage to Duryodhana, while others disagreed. Desiring her for himself, Arjuna took up the life of a renunciate, carrying three staffs, and made his way to Dvārakā. There, seeking his own purpose, Arjuna spent several months, honored time and again by the townspeople and by Rāma, who did not recognize him in his ascetic disguise. One day, Rāma invited Arjuna to his home as a guest, offering him food with faith, and Arjuna ate what was brought as alms. In that house, Arjuna saw a maiden of great beauty, captivating to heroes. His heart was moved by affection, and his eyes blossomed with love for her. She, too, seeing Arjuna, chose him in her heart, as is the way of women. With bashful, sidelong glances and a gentle smile, she fixed her gaze and heart upon him. Arjuna, constantly thinking of her and longing for her, found no peace—his mind bewildered by overpowering passion. Then, during a great festival, as she rode out in a chariot, leaving the fortress, Arjuna—having the approval of her parents and of Kṛṣṇa, the mighty charioteer—carried her away. Standing tall on the chariot, Arjuna took up his bow and 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 his feet and soothed him. At last, Balarāma was pleased by the wedding, and sent abundant gifts—elephants, chariots, horses, men, and women, all of great wealth. Śuka continued: Among Kṛṣṇa’s devotees lived the eminent Brahman Śrutadeva, known for his exclusive devotion to Kṛṣṇa. He was fulfilled in all aims, peaceful, wise, and free from indulgence. Dwelling among the Videhas in Mithilā, Śrutadeva lived as a householder, accepting only what came to him by chance and performing his duties without effort. Each day, he accepted whatever arrived for the sake of pilgrimage, was satisfied with that alone, and performed the appropriate rites as needed. In the same land was King Bahulāśva, a ruler of Mithilā, known for his humility; both he and Śrutadeva were dear to Acyuta (Kṛṣṇa). Pleased with both, the Lord mounted a chariot brought by Dāruka, and, accompanied by sages, journeyed to the land of the Videhas. Among the sages were Nārada, Vāmadeva, Atri, Kṛṣṇa, Rāma, Asita, Aruṇi, Śuka himself, Bṛhaspati, Kaṇva, Maitreya, Cyavana, and others. Wherever the Lord went, the people of each land came forth to greet him, bearing offerings as if welcoming the rising sun surrounded by its planets. The people of Ānarta, Dhanva, Kuru, Jāṅgala, Kaṅka, Matsya, Pāñcāla, Kunti, Madhu, Kekaya, Kośala, and 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. To those whose darkness of vision was dispelled by his glance, the Guru of the three worlds granted safety and the blessing of his form. As praises sung by gods and men, resounding in all directions, filled the air—pure as the sky and dispelling misfortune—the Lord slowly entered Videha. Hearing that Acyuta had arrived, the citizens and people of the land joyfully approached him, bearing offerings in their hands. Seeing the illustrious Lord, their faces blossomed with delight; they bowed with joined palms, as did the sages whom they had only heard of before. Believing that the Guru of the world had come for their blessing, both the king of Mithilā and Śrutadeva fell at his feet. With hands joined, both invited Dāśārha (Kṛṣṇa), along with the brāhmaṇas, to accept their hospitality at the same time. Perceiving their intent and wishing to please them both, the Lord entered the homes of each—unseen by the other. Janaka, of great mind, welcomed all who had come from afar, even those not of good conduct, seating them on the finest seats and listening to them. With devotion overflowing, his heart brimming with joy and tears in his eyes, he bowed to their feet, washed them, and took the purifying water. With his family, he bore that water on his head and worshipped the Lords with fragrances, garlands, garments, incense, lamps, offerings, and gifts of cows and bulls. He pleased them with sweet words as they sat, not yet fully satisfied, and, with joy, gently touched the feet of Viṣṇu, who was seated with his feet drawn up. King Bahulāśva then spoke: “You are truly the Self, the witness, the seer of all beings, O Lord. For us who remember your lotus feet, you have now appeared before our eyes. To fulfill your own words, you have become visible to us, for you have said that your devotees, who are exclusively devoted, are dearer to you, O Infinite One, even more than Lakṣmī or Brahmā.