When the distressed Brahmana, whose children had perished one after another, came before Arjuna and Krishna, he pleaded for protection for his next child. Arjuna, moved by the Brahmana’s plight, solemnly vowed to safeguard the Brahmana’s children. “O Lord,” he declared, “I will protect your children here, who are afflicted and helpless. If I fail to fulfill my promise, I shall enter fire and be purified of sin.” But the Brahmana, his heart heavy with grief, spoke of his despair. “Even Sankarshana, Vasudeva, Pradyumna—the best among archers—and Aniruddha, whose chariot is unconquerable, were unable to protect my children. How then, do you, Arjuna, wish to accomplish a task so difficult that even the Lords of the world could not achieve it? Is this not mere childishness? I cannot believe your words.” Arjuna replied with dignity, “O Brahmana, I am not Sankarshana, nor Krishna, nor the son of Krishna. I am Arjuna, bearer of the Gandiva bow. Do not underestimate my power, which has pleased Tryambaka himself. Having conquered death in battle, I will bring back your children, O master.” Thus reassured by Arjuna, who scorched his foes in battle, the Brahmana, now hopeful after witnessing Partha’s valor, returned to his house. When the time of birth approached for the Brahmana’s wife, the Brahmana, anxious and fearful, called out to Arjuna, “Protect, protect my child from death!” Arjuna purified himself with clean water, bowed to Maheshvara, invoked divine weapons, and took up his Gandiva, strung and ready for action. He surrounded the birthing chamber with a cage of arrows, employing various celestial weapons to seal every direction—across, above, and below. Yet, as the Brahmana’s wife gave birth and the newborn began to cry, the infant suddenly vanished, body and all, into the sky. In Krishna’s presence, the Brahmana, overcome with sorrow, reproached Arjuna. “See my foolishness in believing his boastful words. Neither Pradyumna, nor Aniruddha, nor Rama, nor Kesava could protect my children; who else, O Lord of the universe, could do so? Shame on Arjuna for his false promises and self-praise; deluded, he seeks to alter what is ordained by fate.” Thus cursed by the Brahmana sage, Arjuna, relying on his knowledge and determination, set out to fulfill his vow. He journeyed first to Samyamanī, the abode of Lord Yama, but did not find the Brahmana’s son there. He then went to the cities of Indra, Agni, Nirriti, Soma, Vayu, and Varuna, searching each in turn. He traveled to Rasatala, to the heavens, and to the abodes of other deities, bearing his weapons, but nowhere could he find the Brahmana’s son. Failing in his quest and unable to keep his promise, Arjuna prepared to enter fire, but Krishna stopped him. Krishna said, “I will show you the Brahmana’s sons; do not belittle yourself. Those who establish our pure fame will be blessed.” Thus, Krishna spoke to Arjuna, and together, the two mounted Krishna’s divine chariot and set out toward the west. They crossed the seven continents, the seven oceans, and the seven great mountains, passing beyond even Lokāloka, and entered a realm within. There, the celestial horses—Śaibya, Sugrīva, Meghapuṣpa, and Balāhaka—lost their way and became enveloped in darkness. Seeing this, Krishna, Lord of the great masters of yoga, sent forth his Sudarśana discus, shining like a thousand suns, ahead of them. The Sudarśana, swift as thought, entered the vast, terrible darkness and split it apart with its blazing radiance, just as Rama’s arrow would pierce an army, freeing it from all qualities. Through the path opened by the discus, Arjuna beheld a supreme, boundless light beyond the darkness. Its brilliance was so intense that he closed his eyes, unable to bear it. Swept along by the wind, he entered waters adorned with great waves, and there he saw a wondrous, radiant palace, shining with thousands of columns of brilliant gems. Within the palace lay a vast, infinite serpent with a thousand heads, each hood adorned with radiant gems, shining brilliantly, with fierce eyes, a white body like a mountain, and a blue-black tongue. Upon a comfortable seat on that serpent, Arjuna saw the all-pervading Lord, of supreme majesty, the highest among persons. He was dark as a dense raincloud, clad in yellow garments, with a serene face and beautiful, wide eyes. He wore a crown and earrings of great jewels; his thousand curling locks were encircled by a radiant aura. He had eight long, graceful arms, bore the Kaustubha gem, was marked with the Śrīvatsa, and was garlanded with a forest wreath. Seeing this divine form, Krishna—the infallible—bowed to the infinite Self, and Arjuna, awestruck, did likewise. Then the Lord of all lords, with joined palms and a gentle, powerful voice, addressed them. He said, “Desiring to see you both, I brought the Brahmana’s sons here to preserve righteousness on earth. You, who are incarnations of My portion, should quickly return after destroying the burden of evil in the world. Though your desires are fulfilled, you—Nara and Nārāyaṇa, foremost of sages—practice righteousness for the world’s stability and welfare.” Thus instructed by the Supreme Lord, Krishna and Arjuna, bowing with the sacred syllable “Om,” took the Brahmana’s sons and departed with the great Lord. Filled with joy, they returned to their own city as before and restored the Brahmana’s sons to him, each according to his form and age. Hearing of that Vaishnava realm, Arjuna was utterly amazed. He realized that whatever prowess men possess is due only to Krishna’s compassion. Thus, displaying many such wondrous deeds, Krishna enjoyed the pleasures of the world and performed sacrifices surpassing all others. He bestowed all desired blessings upon the people—Brahmanas and others—at the proper times, just as Indra, having attained supremacy, showers down rain. Having slain the unrighteous kings and caused their destruction through Arjuna and others, Krishna promptly established dharma through the sons of Dharma and other righteous leaders. Śuka continued: Dwelling happily in his own city of Dvārakā, the Lord of fortune resided in a place abundant with every prosperity, surrounded by the foremost of the Vṛṣṇis. The women there were adorned in splendid attire, radiant with youthful beauty, playing with balls and other games in the palaces, shining like flashes of lightning. The streets were always bustling, filled with intoxicated elephants, warriors, horses, and chariots gleaming with gold, all splendidly decorated.