As Bhīṣma lay upon his bed of arrows, those gathered around him recognized that he was merging into the indivisible Brahman. A profound silence fell upon them, as tranquil and deep as the hush of birds settling at the end of the day. At that moment, the heavens and earth resounded with the beat of drums, played by gods and humans alike. The virtuous assembled praised Bhīṣma’s noble soul, while showers of fragrant flowers descended from the sky, honoring the passing of the great king. After Bhīṣma’s departure from this world, Yudhiṣṭhira, the son of Bhārgava, performed the proper rites for the departed, fulfilling his duty with reverence. Yet, for some time, sorrow weighed heavily upon his heart. Meanwhile, the sages, delighted by Kṛṣṇa’s presence, praised Him with secret names known only to the wise. Their hearts filled with devotion, they soon returned to their hermitages, carrying the memory of that sacred moment. Yudhiṣṭhira, accompanied by Kṛṣṇa, then journeyed to Gajāhvaya, where he comforted his father and the ascetic Gāndhārī, soothing their grief. With his father’s approval and Kṛṣṇa’s consent, the mighty Yudhiṣṭhira took up the rule of the kingdom, governing righteously as inherited from his father and grandfather. The mother of heroes, overjoyed, anointed her son again and again. Milk flowed from her breasts and auspicious tears from her eyes, marking the fulfillment of her hopes. The people, witnessing the return of their beloved king, said to the queen, “By good fortune, your son, the remover of distress, has been restored after long absence and will protect the circle of the earth.” They added, “Surely, O queen, you have worshipped the Lord, the remover of the distressed. Those who meditate on Him with steady mind conquer even death, which is so hard to overcome.” Cherished by the people alongside his brothers, the joyful king mounted the elephant. Praised by all, he entered the city in triumph. At every entrance, splendid makara-archways greeted him, surrounded by clusters of banana trunks and heaps of betel nuts, all beautifully arranged. Each gateway was adorned with pitchers of water topped with lamps, garlands of young mango leaves, and strings of pearls hanging down. The city itself was decorated on all sides with ramparts, gateways, and houses adorned with golden ornaments, and shining spires of mansions. Courtyards, streets, and crossroads were spotless, sprinkled with sandal paste, and offerings of parched rice, unbroken grains, flowers, fruits, and rice were everywhere. As the steadfast king passed along the road, the city’s women at various places brought auspicious items—rice, unbroken grains, curd, water, sacred grass, flowers, and fruits—to honor him. Out of affection, the virtuous women offered their blessings as Yudhiṣṭhira entered his father’s palace, their sweet, childish songs filling the air. In that splendid palace, adorned with clusters of great jewels, he was cherished exceedingly by his father and dwelled there like a god in heaven. The beds were white as milk foam, with golden ornaments; the seats were most precious, and all furnishings were made of gold. Jeweled lamps shone upon crystal walls and great emeralds, adorned with gems from women’s ornaments. Delightful gardens surrounded the palace, filled with celestial trees, cooing pairs of birds, and intoxicated bees singing. Ponds with steps of lapis lazuli were filled with lotuses, water lilies, and kumuda flowers, frequented by swans, cranes, and chakravaka ducks. King Uttānapāda, the royal sage, upon hearing and seeing his son’s extraordinary glory, was filled with the highest wonder. Seeing Dhruva grown and beloved by the people, and approved by the ministers, the king made him lord of the earth. Realizing his own old age, the lord of men, detached, set out for the forest, contemplating the path of his soul. Later, Śaunaka addressed Sūta, saying, “O best of the righteous, after Yudhiṣṭhira killed the enemies who coveted his kingdom and wealth, and his meals were secured with his brothers, what did he do next? How did he proceed?” Sūta replied, “Hari, the creator of the world, restored the Kuru dynasty, which had been destroyed by the fire of its own descendants. Having established Yudhiṣṭhira in his own kingdom, He was pleased at heart. Having heard the words of Bhīṣma and Acyuta, his doubts dispelled by true knowledge, Yudhiṣṭhira ruled the earth, supported by the unconquered, like Indra, with his brothers following him.” Under Yudhiṣṭhira’s reign, the clouds rained as desired, the earth yielded all that was wished for, and the cows joyfully drenched the villages with abundant milk. The rivers, oceans, mountains, forests, and plants—all the herbs—produced their fruits as desired. No ailments, diseases, or troubles—whether from fate, other beings, or oneself—ever afflicted the creatures during the reign of the king whose enemy was never born. Hari, having stayed for a few months in Hastināpura to bring joy to His friends and to please His beloved sister, finally took leave. After embracing and bowing to them, He ascended His chariot, honored and embraced by some. Subhadrā, Draupadī, Kuntī, the daughter of Virāṭa, Gāndhārī, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Yuyutsu, Kripa, and the twins Nakula and Sahadeva were present. Vṛkodara, Dhaumya, and the women such as the daughter of the King of Matsya, bewildered and distraught, could not bear the separation from the wielder of Śārṅga. Freed from bad company by association with the virtuous, a wise person is unable to abandon it, having once heard the delightful fame of Him who is praised. How could the sons of Pṛthā, whose minds were fixed on Him, endure the separation—after seeing, touching, conversing, lying down, sitting, and eating with Him? All of them, their hearts rushing after Him, followed Him with unblinking eyes, bound by affection, wandering here and there. The women of the family restrained their streaming tears out of longing for Devakī’s son, thinking, “Let no inauspiciousness occur as He leaves the house.” Mṛdaṅgas, conches, bherīs, vīṇās, paṇavas, gomukhas, dhundhuris, ānakas, bells, and also dundubhis resounded throughout the city. The noble women of the Kurus, eager to see Kṛṣṇa, climbed to the tops of the palaces and showered Him with flowers, their eyes smiling with love and modesty, as He departed.