Standing tall upon his chariot, bow in hand, the mighty hero scattered the valiant warriors who sought to block his path. He surged forward with irresistible force, driving away even his own kinsmen, just as a lion scatters a herd of deer. When Rāma heard what had transpired, he became agitated—his heart roiling like the ocean under the pull of the full moon. But Kṛṣṇa, ever compassionate, approached him with friends and, holding Rāma’s feet, soothed his agitation and brought him peace. Filled with joy at the wedding, Balarāma sent forth abundant gifts—elephants, chariots, horses, men, and women, all of great wealth and splendor. Śuka continued: Among Kṛṣṇa’s devotees there lived a most eminent Brahman named Śrutadeva. He was renowned for his exclusive devotion to Kṛṣṇa, fulfilled in every aim of life, ever peaceful, wise, and untouched by indulgence. Dwelling in Mithilā among the Videhas, Śrutadeva lived as a householder. He accepted only what came to him by chance and performed his duties without effort or attachment. Each day, he received whatever came as if on pilgrimage, finding complete satisfaction in that alone, and performed the appropriate rites as needed. In that same land ruled Bahulāśva, the king of Mithilā, a Maithila known for his humility. Both Śrutadeva and Bahulāśva were especially dear to Acyuta, the Supreme Lord. Pleased with both of them, the Lord mounted a chariot brought by Dāruka. Accompanied by a host of sages—Nārada, Vāmadeva, Atri, Kṛṣṇa, Rāma, Asita, Aruṇi, Śuka himself, Bṛhaspati, Kaṇva, Maitreya, Cyavana, and others—he set out for the land of the Videhas. Wherever the Lord traveled, the citizens and people of each land would approach him, bearing offerings in their hands, as if welcoming the rising sun surrounded by its planets. The people of Ānarta, Dhanva, Kuru, Jāṅgala, Kaṅka, Matsya, Pāñcāla, Kunti, Madhu, Kekaya, Kośala, Arṇa, and many more 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, O King. For those whose darkness of vision was dispelled by his glance, the Guru of the three worlds granted safety and a vision of his divine form. As the praises sung by gods and men resounded in all directions—pure as the sky and dispelling all misfortune—the Lord slowly entered the land of Videha. When news of Acyuta’s arrival spread, the citizens and people of the land, filled with joy, came forth to greet him, carrying offerings in their hands. Seeing the illustrious Lord, their faces blossoming with delight, they bowed with joined palms, as did the sages whom they had only heard about before. Recognizing that the Guru of the world had come for their blessing, both the king of Mithilā and Śrutadeva fell at his feet. With joined palms, they each invited the Dāśārha—Kṛṣṇa—along with the assembled brāhmaṇas, to accept their hospitality at the same time. Perceiving their equal devotion and wishing to please them both, the Lord, through his divine power, entered the homes of each—unnoticed by the other. Janaka, great of mind, welcomed all those who had come from afar—even those not of good conduct—into his house. He seated them on the finest seats and listened to them attentively. With devotion swelling in his heart, tears of joy in his eyes, he bowed at their feet, washed them, and reverently took that purifying water. Together with his family, he bore the water on his head and worshipped the Lords with fragrances, garlands, garments, incense, lamps, and offerings of cows and bulls. Pleasing them with sweet words, Janaka spoke as they sat, not yet fully satisfied, gently touching the feet of Viṣṇu, who was seated with his feet drawn up, his heart filled with joy. King Bahulāśva then spoke: “You are indeed the Self, the witness, the seer of all beings, O Lord. And now, for us who remember your lotus feet, you have come into our sight. To fulfill your own words, you have become visible to us; for you have said that your devotees, devoted to you alone, 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 renounced, peaceful sages who possess nothing? You descended in the Yadu dynasty among wandering men, spreading your fame for their peace and removing the suffering of the three worlds. Obeisance to you, 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 brahmins, and sanctify the lineage of Nimi with the dust of your feet.” Thus invited by the king, the Lord, creator of all worlds, stayed there, bringing auspiciousness to the men and women of Mithilā. Meanwhile, Śrutadeva, overjoyed, welcomed Acyuta to his humble house just as Janaka had. He bowed to the sages and danced with delight, his garment shaking. He seated them on mats of grass and ox hides he had brought, and, together with his wife, joyfully washed their feet and greeted them with loving hospitality. With that sacred water, he, his family, and his household bathed themselves, elated as if all their desires had been fulfilled. He worshipped his guests with offerings of fruits, fragrant roots, pure water, clay, cow products, tulasi, sacred grass, and lotuses, performing all the proper rites that increase goodness and dispel darkness. In wonder, he thought to himself, “How did I, lost in the blind well of household life, come to have this meeting—with Kṛṣṇa himself, whose feet are the abode of all holy places, and with these brahmins who are his very home?” When all his guests were seated and honored, Śrutadeva, together with his wife, children, and relatives, approached and touched their feet in reverence. Śrutadeva then spoke: “Today, the Supreme Person, who after creating this world with his energies enters it by his own being, has not come to our sight for the first time. Just as a man, lying down, creates a dream world by his own mind and then enters and illuminates it, so does he. To those who listen, speak, worship, bow to you, and converse sincerely, you reveal yourself within their pure hearts. Though dwelling in the heart, you remain far away from those whose minds are distracted by action, and, though inaccessible by your own power, you are not grasped by those attached to the qualities of matter. Obeisance to you, Supreme Self, knower of the inner reality, who is beyond the self, who divides the self from death, who assumes forms with and without cause, and whose vision is veiled by your own maya. Therefore, O Lord, instruct us, your servants—what should we do? For the greatest suffering of people is that you are beyond the reach of their senses.” Thus, in the homes of both king and humble devotee, the Lord accepted their worship and their love, blessing them with his presence and the company of the sages, and sanctifying all who beheld him.