Arjuna, standing before the Brahmana, spoke with clarity and humility: “O Brahmana, I am not Sankarshana, nor Krishna, nor the son of Krishna. I am Arjuna, known for my bow, Gandiva.” He urged the Brahmana not to doubt his strength, which had even won the favor of Tryambaka. “Having conquered death in battle, I will bring back your children, O master,” he assured him. Reassured by Phalguna—the mighty Arjuna, the scorcher of foes—the Brahmana, pleased after witnessing Arjuna’s valor, returned to his home. As the time of birth approached for the Brahmana’s wife, the noble Brahmana, overcome with anxiety, called out to Arjuna: “Protect, protect my child from death!” Arjuna purified himself with clean water, bowed in reverence to Maheshvara, and recalled his divine weapons. He took up his Gandiva, strung and ready. With great care, Partha blocked the birthing chamber with a web of arrows, employing various celestial weapons, and wove a cage of arrows on all sides—across, above, and below—to guard the newborn. Yet, as the Brahmana’s wife gave birth, the child, wailing, suddenly vanished—body and all—into the sky. In Krishna’s presence, the Brahmana, heartbroken, reproached Arjuna’s efforts: “See my foolishness, that I believed his boastful words.” He lamented that neither Pradyumna, nor Aniruddha, nor Rama, nor even Kesava could protect his children; who else, then, O Lord of the universe, could do so? He cried out, “Shame on Arjuna for his empty promises, shame on his self-praise and his bow! Deluded, he tries to do what is decreed by fate.” Thus cursed by the Brahmana sage, Arjuna, relying on his knowledge and honor, quickly set out for Samyamani, the realm of Lord Yama. Not finding the Brahmana’s son there, he journeyed, armed and resolute, to the city of Indra, then to those of Agni, Nirriti, Soma, Vayu, and Varuna. He searched in Rasatala, the heavens, and the abodes of all other deities, bearing his weapons. Failing to find the Brahmana’s son and unable to fulfill his promise, Arjuna’s heart was heavy; he resolved to enter fire and end his life. But Krishna stopped him, saying: “I will show you the Brahmana’s sons; do not despair. Those who establish our pure fame in the world will be blessed.” Thus comforting Arjuna, the Lord Krishna, together with Arjuna, mounted his divine chariot and set out toward the western direction. The most exalted Lord crossed the seven continents, the seven oceans, and the seven mountains, even passing beyond Lokāloka, and entered within. There, the chariot’s horses—Shaibya, Sugriva, Meghapushpa, and Balahaka—lost their way and wandered into dense darkness. Witnessing this, the Blessed Lord Krishna, master of all yoga, hurled his Sudarshana discus, which shone like a thousand suns, ahead of them. The Sudarshana chakra, swift as thought, pierced the vast, terrible darkness, splitting it apart with its radiance, just as Rama’s arrow would shatter an army. Following the path opened by the discus, Arjuna beheld a supreme, boundless light beyond the darkness. Its brilliance struck his eyes, and he closed them, overwhelmed. Carried by the wind, he entered waters adorned with mighty waves, where he saw a wondrous, radiant palace, shining with thousands of columns of brilliant gems. Within this palace lay the infinite, great serpent—Ananta—with a thousand heads, each hood adorned with radiant gems, gleaming, with two fierce eyes, white as a mountain, and a blue-black tongue. Upon that serpent’s comfortable seat, Arjuna beheld the all-pervading Lord, the Supreme Person, dark as a raincloud, clad in yellow garments, with a serene face and beautiful, wide eyes. He was adorned with a crown and earrings of great jewels, his thousand curling locks encircled by a radiant aura. Eight long, graceful arms bore the Kaustubha gem, marked with the Srivatsa, and he was garlanded with a forest wreath. Acyuta—Krishna—bowed before the infinite Self, and Arjuna, awestruck, did likewise. The Lord of great lords, with palms joined and a smiling, powerful voice, addressed them: “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 on earth. Though your desires are fulfilled, you two—Nara and Narayana, foremost among sages—practice righteousness for the world’s stability and the welfare of its people.” Thus instructed by the Supreme Lord, the two Krishnas bowed with “Om,” took the Brahmana’s sons, and departed with the great Lord. Filled with joy, they returned to their abode as before, restoring the Brahmana’s sons to him, each according to his form and age. Hearing of that Vaishnava realm, Partha—Arjuna—was utterly amazed. He realized that whatever prowess men possess flows from Krishna’s compassion. Thus, displaying many such wondrous deeds, Krishna enjoyed worldly pleasures 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 the world with rain. Having slain the unrighteous kings and caused their destruction through Arjuna and others, Krishna promptly established dharma, upholding righteousness through the sons of Dharma and others. Śuka then spoke: The Lord of fortune, Krishna, dwelled happily in his own city, Dvaraka—a place abundant with every prosperity—surrounded by the foremost of the Vrishnis. The city shone with women adorned in splendid attire, radiant with youthful beauty, playing with balls and other games in the palaces, glittering like flashes of lightning. The streets bustled with life, filled with intoxicated elephants, warriors, horses, and chariots gleaming with gold, all splendidly decorated. In gardens and groves rich with blossoming trees, the air resounded with the songs of bees and birds. Krishna delighted as the sole beloved of sixteen thousand wives, in their magnificent homes, each displaying wondrous forms. He enjoyed the pure waters, fragrant with the pollen of fully bloomed lotuses, lilies, and blue water-lilies, amidst the chirping flocks of birds. Thus, the Lord dwelled in joy and majesty, surrounded by beauty, virtue, and prosperity.