Arjuna, seeking to fulfill his promise, purified himself with clean water and offered reverent obeisance to Maheshvara. He recalled his divine weapons and took up his Gandiva bow, already strung and ready for action. With unwavering focus, Partha blocked the birthing chamber with a network of arrows, employing various celestial weapons to create a protective cage of arrows on all sides—across, above, and below. Yet, as the Brahmana’s wife gave birth and the child emerged, crying again and again, the newborn mysteriously vanished—body and all—into the sky. Witnessing this, the Brahmana, in Krishna’s presence, reproached Arjuna for his failure, lamenting his own foolishness in trusting Arjuna’s confident words. He declared that not even Pradyumna, Aniruddha, Rama, or Kesava could protect his sons; who else in the universe, he asked, could possibly do so? The Brahmana cursed Arjuna, accusing him of false promises, self-praise, and delusion in attempting to defy fate. Stung by these words, Arjuna, relying on his knowledge and prowess, hurried to Samyamani, the abode of Yama, Lord of Death, in search of the Brahmana’s lost son. Finding no trace of the child there, he journeyed armed to the cities of Indra, Agni, Nirriti, Soma, Vayu, and Varuna. Still unsuccessful, he descended to Rasatala, ascended to the heavens, and visited the abodes of other deities, weapons in hand. Nowhere did he find the Brahmana’s son, and, unable to fulfill his vow, Arjuna resolved to enter fire in despair. But Krishna restrained him, reassuring him: “I will show you the Brahmana’s sons; do not belittle yourself. Those who spread our pure fame will be blessed.” With these words, Krishna and Arjuna mounted the divine chariot and set forth toward the western direction. The Lord, supreme among all, guided their chariot across the seven continents, the seven oceans, and the seven great mountains, even traversing Lokāloka, the boundary of the world. As they pressed on, their horses—Shaibya, Sugriva, Meghapushpa, and Balāhaka—lost their way and wandered into dense darkness. Observing this, Krishna, Lord of the great yogis, sent forth his Sudarshana discus, shining with the brilliance of a thousand suns. Like the swiftest thought, Sudarshana entered the vast and terrifying darkness, splitting it apart with its intense radiance, just as Rama’s arrow would pierce through an enemy army, liberated from all obstacles. Through the path opened by the discus, Arjuna beheld a supreme, boundless light beyond the darkness. Its brilliance was so overwhelming that he had to close his eyes. Carried by the wind, they entered waters adorned with great waves, where Arjuna beheld a wondrous palace, radiant and shining with thousands of columns of brilliant gems. Within this palace lay the infinite, great serpent Ananta, with a thousand hoods adorned with radiant gems, shining brilliantly, two fierce eyes, skin white as a mountain, and a blue-black tongue. Seated comfortably upon this serpent, Arjuna beheld the all-pervading Lord, majestic and supreme among persons. His form was dark as a dense raincloud, clad in yellow garments, with a serene face and wide, beautiful eyes. He was adorned with a crown and gleaming earrings, his curling locks encircled by a radiant aura. His eight graceful arms bore the Kaustubha gem and the mark of Shrivatsa, and he was garlanded with a forest wreath. Overwhelmed by this vision, Krishna—Acyuta—bowed to the infinite Self, and Arjuna, awestruck, did likewise. The Lord of the great lords, with joined palms 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, 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, Krishna and Arjuna, bowing with the sacred utterance “Om,” took the Brahmana’s sons and departed with the great Lord. Filled with joy, they returned to their own abode as before, restoring each son to the Brahmana, in his proper form and age. Hearing of that Vaishnava realm, Arjuna was utterly amazed, recognizing that all human prowess is truly due to Krishna’s compassion. Thus, Krishna displayed many such wondrous deeds, enjoying worldly pleasures and performing sacrifices that surpassed all others. He bestowed blessings upon everyone—Brahmanas and others—at the proper times, just as Indra, having attained supremacy, showers the world with rain. Having destroyed the unrighteous kings through Arjuna and others, Krishna quickly established dharma, placing the sons of Dharma and others in positions of righteousness. Śuka continued: In his own city of Dvaraka, the Lord of fortune dwelled happily, surrounded by the foremost of the Vrishnis, in a place abundant with every prosperity. The women there, adorned in splendid attire and radiant with youthful beauty, played with balls and other games in the palaces, shining like lightning. The streets bustled with life, filled with intoxicated elephants, warriors, horses, and chariots gleaming with gold, all splendidly decorated. The gardens and groves flourished with blossoming trees, resonant with the songs of bees and birds. Krishna delighted as the sole beloved of sixteen thousand wives, each in her magnificent home, each displaying wondrous forms. He sported in pure waters scented by the pollen of blooming lotuses, lilies, and blue water-lilies, amidst the cheerful chirping of birds. Entering the waters of the lakes, his body was smeared with saffron from the embraces of his wives. Gandharvas sang joyfully, accompanied by drums, cymbals, and kettledrums, while bards, genealogists, and singers played the lute. Krishna was sprinkled by his playful wives, laughing and sporting with them, like the lord of the Yakshas among the Yakshis. Their garments soaked and their broad breasts exposed, they showered him with handfuls of flowers, embracing their beloved with playful intent, their faces radiant with smiles born of awakened longing.