Śuka began to speak of two remarkable devotees of Krishna. One was Śrutadeva, a brahmin of great renown, who lived among the Videhas in the city of Mithilā. Śrutadeva was wholly devoted to Krishna, fulfilled in all the aims of life, tranquil, wise, and free from any indulgence. Though a householder, he accepted only what came to him by chance, performing his duties without striving, and each day, he took only what was needed for pilgrimage, satisfied with whatever arrived, and observed the necessary rites accordingly. In that same land ruled Bahulāśva, the king of Mithilā, a ruler of humility and devotion, also beloved of Acyuta. Pleased with both the king and the brahmin, Lord Krishna mounted his chariot, brought by his charioteer Dāruka, and set out for Videha, accompanied by a host of great sages: Nārada, Vāmadeva, Atri, Krishna Dvaipāyana Vyāsa, Rāma, Asita, Aruṇi, Śuka himself, Bṛhaspati, Kaṇva, Maitreya, Cyavana, and many others. Wherever Krishna traveled, the citizens and people thronged to him, bringing offerings in their hands, as if the sun itself had risen among them, surrounded by its planets. The people of many lands—Ānarta, Dhanva, Kuru, Jāṅgala, Kaṅka, Matsya, Pāñcāla, Kunti, Madhu, Kekaya, Kośala, Arṇa, and others—gazed upon his lotus-like face, radiant with a generous smile and gentle eyes. Men and women alike drank in his presence, their vision cleared by the Lord’s glance, which dispelled all darkness from their hearts. To those thus illumined, Krishna, the Guru of the three worlds, granted safety and the sight of his divine form. He listened to the praises sung by gods and men, which spread in all directions, pure and auspicious, and slowly entered the land of Videha. News of Acyuta’s arrival spread swiftly through Mithilā. The citizens and people, overjoyed, came forth to welcome him, bearing gifts. Upon seeing the illustrious Lord, their faces bloomed with delight, and they bowed with joined palms, as did the sages whom they had only heard of before. Both Bahulāśva, king of Mithilā, and Śrutadeva, the humble brahmin, thought, “The Guru of the world has come for our blessing!” Overcome, they fell at Krishna’s feet. With joined palms, both invited Krishna, the Dāśārha, along with the assembled sages, to accept their hospitality simultaneously. Perceiving their intent and wishing to please them both, the Lord entered the homes of each—Śrutadeva and Bahulāśva—at the same time, in a way unseen by the other. King Janaka, of great mind, welcomed all who had come, even those not of good conduct, seated them on the finest seats, and listened to their words. His devotion was deep; his heart overflowed with joy, tears welled in his eyes as he bowed to their feet, washed them, and took that sanctified water, which purifies the world. Together with his family, he bore on his head that water, and worshipped the Lord and the sages with fragrances, garlands, garments, incense, lamps, offerings, and gifts of cows and bulls. He pleased them with sweet words, speaking as they sat, and, still unsated with their presence, gently touched the feet of Viṣṇu, who sat with his feet drawn up, his own heart full of joy. King Bahulāśva then spoke: “You are 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 word, you have become visible to us, for you have said your exclusive devotees are dearer to you than even Lakṣmī or Brahmā. Who would abandon your lotus feet, O giver of the Self to the renounced sages? You have descended in the Yadu dynasty among men, spreading your fame for the peace of all, removing the suffering of the three worlds. Obeisance to you, O Bhagavān Krishna, of unfailing wisdom, Nārāyaṇa, the sage who performed tranquil austerities. 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, the Lord, creator of worlds, stayed in Mithilā, bringing auspiciousness to all its men and women. Śrutadeva, too, was overjoyed. He welcomed Acyuta to his house as Janaka had, bowed to the sages, and danced in delight, his garment shaking. He seated them on mats of grass and ox hides, and, together with his wife, joyfully washed their feet and greeted them with hospitality. With that sanctified water, he and his family bathed themselves, elated, feeling all their desires fulfilled. He worshipped them with offerings of fruits, fragrant roots, pure water, clay, cow products, tulasi, sacred grass, and lotuses, performing the proper rites that increase goodness and destroy darkness. In wonder, Śrutadeva thought, “How did I, fallen into the blind well of household life, come to have this meeting—with Krishna himself, the dust of whose feet is the abode of all holy places, and with these brahmins who are his very home?” When his guests were seated and honored, Śrutadeva, with his wife, children, and relatives, approached and touched their feet. He said, “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 illumines 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 from those 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.” Hearing these heartfelt words, the Lord, remover of the distress of those who bow to him, took Śrutadeva’s hand in his own, smiled, and spoke: “O brahmin, know that these sages have come here for your blessing; they wander the worlds with me, purifying them with the dust of their feet. The gods, sacred places, and holy waters purify gradually through sight, touch, and worship, but even they are purified instantly by the gaze of the best of brahmins.” Thus did Krishna honor both king and brahmin, showing that his love encompasses all who are devoted, whether they be rulers or humble householders, and that those who welcome the Lord and his devotees with pure hearts are themselves blessed beyond measure.