King Parīkṣit, eager to learn of his own lineage, respectfully asked, “O Brahman, tell me about the sister of Rāma and Kṛṣṇa. How did Arjuna come to marry her, and how did she become my grandmother?” Śuka began his narration: Arjuna, the mighty hero, once set out on a pilgrimage, wandering the earth in search of spiritual merit. In the course of his travels, he arrived at Prabhāsa, where he heard news of his maternal cousin—the sister of Rāma and Kṛṣṇa. There was much talk among the people. Some said that Rāma intended to give his sister in marriage to Duryodhana, while others disagreed. Arjuna, desiring her for himself, decided upon a clever course: he adopted the guise of a renunciate, carrying the triple staff of a mendicant, and journeyed to Dvārakā. There, in Dvārakā, Arjuna stayed for several months, seeking his own purpose. The townspeople and even Rāma himself honored him repeatedly, yet Rāma did not recognize him in his ascetic disguise. One day, Rāma invited Arjuna to his home as a guest, offering him food with sincere faith. Arjuna, in the manner of a mendicant, accepted and ate what was brought to him as alms. It was there that Arjuna beheld a maiden of great beauty, one whose loveliness captivated even the bravest of heroes. His heart was stirred with deep affection, his eyes blossoming with longing, and he set his mind upon her. She, too, saw Arjuna and, as is natural for women, her heart was drawn to him. Smiling shyly, casting sidelong glances, she fixed both her gaze and her heart upon him. Arjuna, consumed by thoughts of her, found no peace. Overwhelmed by passion, his mind was thrown into confusion. Then, during a great festival, as she rode in a chariot and left the fortress, Arjuna seized the moment. With the approval of her parents and of Kṛṣṇa, the mighty charioteer, Arjuna carried her away. Standing tall on his chariot and taking up his bow, Arjuna scattered the brave warriors who sought to block his path, dispersing his own people as a lion scatters a herd of deer. When Rāma heard what had happened, he was agitated, his anger rising like the ocean at the full moon. But Kṛṣṇa, along with their friends, approached Rāma and, holding his feet, calmed him. At last, Rāma rejoiced at the wedding and sent abundant gifts: elephants, chariots, horses, men and women—all of great wealth. Śuka then continued: Among the devotees of Kṛṣṇa there was an eminent brāhmaṇa named Śrutadeva, renowned for his exclusive devotion to Kṛṣṇa. He was fulfilled in all aims, peaceful, wise, and free from indulgence. Śrutadeva lived in Mithilā among the Videhas, leading the life of a householder. He accepted only what came to him by chance and performed his duties without striving. Each day, whatever he received for the sake of pilgrimage was enough for him; with that alone he was satisfied, and he performed the appropriate rites as needed. In that same land, the king was Bahulāśva, a humble ruler of Mithilā, and both he and Śrutadeva were dear to Acyuta, the Lord. Pleased with both of them, the Lord mounted a chariot brought by Dāruka and, together with a host of sages, journeyed to the land of the Videhas. Among those sages were Nārada, Vāmadeva, Atri, Kṛṣṇa, Rāma, Asita, Aruṇi, Śuka himself, Bṛhaspati, Kaṇva, Maitreya, Cyavana, and many others. O King, wherever the Lord traveled, the local people and citizens would come forth to greet him, bearing offerings, as if welcoming the rising sun surrounded by its planets. People from Ānarta, Dhanva, Kuru, Jāṅgala, Kaṅka, Matsya, Pāñcāla, Kunti, Madhu, Kekaya, Kośala, Arṇa, and many other lands gazed upon the Lord’s lotus-like face, radiant with a generous smile and gentle eyes. With their own eyes, men and women alike beheld him with wonder. Wherever his compassionate glance fell, it dispelled the darkness of ignorance; and to those thus blessed, the Guru of the three worlds granted safety and the sight of his divine form. As he entered Videha, he heard the praises sung by gods and men, spreading in all directions, pure as the sky and dispelling misfortune. Upon hearing of Acyuta’s arrival, the citizens and people of the land, O King, came forth joyfully, 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 own blessing, both the king of Mithilā and Śrutadeva fell at the Lord’s feet. With joined palms, both King Bahulāśva and Śrutadeva invited the Lord of the Daśārhas, along with the brāhmaṇas, to accept their hospitality at the same time. Perceiving their heartfelt intent and wishing to please them both, the Lord entered the homes of each simultaneously, unseen by the other. King Janaka, of great mind, welcomed all those who had come from afar—even those not of good conduct—into his house, seating them comfortably on the finest seats and listening to them. With devotion swelling in his heart, tears of joy in his eyes, Janaka bowed at their feet, washed them, and took that water, which purifies the world. With his family, he bore the sacred water on his head and worshipped the Lords with fragrances, garlands, garments, incense, lamps, offerings, and gifts of cows and bulls. He spoke to them with sweet words, seeking to please them as they sat, not yet fully satisfied. Gently, with joy, he touched the feet of Viṣṇu, who sat with his feet drawn up. Then King Bahulāśva spoke: “You are truly the Self, the witness, the seer of all beings, O Lord. Now, for us who remember your lotus feet, you have come into our sight. “To fulfill your own promise, you have appeared before 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. “Who would ever abandon your lotus feet, O giver of the Self to those renounced and peaceful sages who possess nothing? “You, who have descended in the Yadu dynasty among men, spread your fame for the peace of all, removing the suffering of the three worlds. “Obeisance to you, O Bhagavān Kṛṣṇa, of unfailing wisdom, Nārāyaṇa, the sage who performed tranquil austerities. “O Lord, please dwell in our home for a few days, together with these brāhmaṇas, and sanctify the lineage of Nimi with the dust of your feet.” Thus invited by the king, the Lord, creator of worlds, stayed there, bringing auspiciousness to the men and women of Mithilā. Śrutadeva, overjoyed, welcomed Acyuta to his house just as Janaka had done. He bowed to the sages and danced with happiness, his garment shaking. He seated them on mats of grass and ox hides he had prepared, and, together with his wife, joyfully washed their feet and offered them hospitality. With that sacred water, O blessed one, he, his family, and his household bathed themselves, rejoicing as all their desires had been fulfilled.