As Arjuna beheld her, she too saw him and, drawn by the natural affection of a woman’s heart, chose him as her own. Smiling shyly, her glances flickered sideways in bashfulness, yet she could not help but fix both her heart and her gaze upon him. Arjuna, for his part, was utterly captivated. His thoughts ceaselessly revolved around her, and his longing grew so intense that he found no peace; his mind was thrown into confusion by the overwhelming force of his passion. Then, during a grand festival, as she rode out from the fortress in her chariot, Arjuna—having gained the blessing of her parents and of mighty Kṛṣṇa, the charioteer—seized the moment and carried her away. Standing tall upon his chariot, Arjuna grasped his bow and scattered the brave warriors who tried to block his path, driving away even his own people as a lion scatters a herd of deer. News of this reached Rāma, who was agitated like the ocean at the pull of the full moon. But Kṛṣṇa, along with his friends, calmed Rāma by humbly holding his feet. In the end, Bala joyfully accepted the marriage and sent lavish gifts: elephants, chariots, horses, men, and women, all of great wealth. Śuka continued: Among Kṛṣṇa’s devotees was an eminent brāhmaṇa named Śrutadeva, renowned for his single-minded devotion to Kṛṣṇa. Fulfilled in every aim, peaceful, wise, and free from indulgence, Śrutadeva lived among the Videhas in Mithilā. As a householder, he accepted only what came to him by chance, performing his duties without effort or attachment. Each day, he took only what was needed for his simple life, satisfied with that alone, and performed the appropriate rites as required. The ruler of that land, Bahulāśva, a Maithila king, was known for his humility; both he and Śrutadeva were dear to Acyuta, the Lord. Pleased with them, Kṛṣṇa mounted a chariot brought by Dāruka and, together with a host of sages, set out for the land of the Videhas. Among those who accompanied him were Nārada, Vāmadeva, Atri, Kṛṣṇa, Rāma, Asita, Aruṇi, Śuka himself, Bṛhaspati, Kaṇva, Maitreya, Cyavana, and many others. Wherever the Lord traveled, the people of each region came eagerly to greet him, bearing offerings as if welcoming the sun rising among its planets. The people from Ānarta, Dhanva, Kuru, Jāṅgala, Kaṅka, Matsya, Pāñcāla, Kunti, Madhu, Kekaya, Kośala, Arṇa, and many other lands 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, their hearts filled with joy. To those whose darkness of vision was dispelled by his glance, 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 alike—praises that spread in all directions, pure as the sky and dispelling misfortune. Upon hearing that Acyuta had arrived, the citizens and people of the land hurried joyfully to greet him, bearing gifts in their hands. Seeing the illustrious Lord and the sages they had only heard of before, their faces blossomed with delight as they bowed with joined palms. Believing that the Guru of the world had come for their own blessing, both the king of Mithilā and Śrutadeva fell at his feet. With hands folded, they each invited Kṛṣṇa, along with the brāhmaṇas, to accept their hospitality at the same time. Understanding their intent and wishing to please them both, the Lord, by his divine power, entered the homes of each simultaneously, unnoticed by the other. Janaka, of great wisdom, welcomed all who had come, even those not of good conduct, and seated them comfortably on the finest seats, listening to them with an open heart. Overflowing with devotion, his heart brimming with joy and his eyes filled with tears, he bowed at their feet, washed them, and reverently sprinkled that purifying water upon himself and his family. With his household, he bore this sacred water upon his head and worshipped the Lords with fragrances, garlands, garments, incense, lamps, offerings, cows, and bulls. He pleased them with sweet words as they sat, not yet fully satisfied, and gently touched the feet of Viṣṇu, who sat with his legs drawn up, his own heart filled with joy. King Bahulāśva then spoke: “You are indeed the Self, the witness, the seer of all beings, O Lord. Now, for us who remember your lotus feet, you have come before our very eyes. To fulfill your own words, you have become visible to us, for you have declared that your exclusively devoted devotees are dearer to you than even Lakṣmī or Brahmā, O Infinite One. Who would ever abandon your lotus feet, O giver of the Self to the renounced, peaceful sages who possess nothing? You, who have descended in the Yadu dynasty, spread your fame among men wandering this world, bringing peace and 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 with these brāhmaṇas and sanctify the lineage of Nimi with the dust of your feet.” Thus invited by the king, the Lord, creator of the worlds, stayed there, bringing auspiciousness and joy to all the men and women of Mithilā. Śrutadeva, overwhelmed with happiness, welcomed Acyuta into his home just as Janaka had, bowing to the sages and even dancing, his garment shaking with delight. He seated them on mats of grass and ox hides, and, with his wife, joyfully washed their feet and greeted them with heartfelt hospitality. With that holy water, he, his family, and his household bathed themselves, elated as if all their desires had been fulfilled. He worshipped them with offerings of fruits, fragrant roots, pure water, clay, cow products, tulasi, sacred grass, and lotuses, performing the appropriate rites to increase goodness and dispel darkness. Śrutadeva wondered within himself, “How did I, trapped in the blind well of household life, come to have this meeting—with Kṛṣṇa himself, the dust of whose feet is the abode of all holy places, and with these brāhmaṇas, who are his very home?” Once his guests were seated and honored, Śrutadeva, together with his wife, children, and relatives, approached and touched their feet. He spoke: “Today, the Supreme Person, who after creating this world with his energies enters it by his own being, has not come before us for the first time. Just as a man, lying down, creates a dream world by his own mind and then enters and illumines it, so does he. To those who listen, speak, worship, bow to you, and sincerely converse with you, you reveal yourself within their pure hearts.” Thus, in the blessed land of Mithilā, both king and devotee received the Lord and his devotees with hearts full of love, and the presence of Kṛṣṇa brought joy, sanctity, and the highest fulfillment to all.