In that resplendent palace, radiant with clusters of great jewels, Dhruva was cherished deeply by his father and dwelled there as if he were a god among the heavens. The beds within shone white as the foam of milk, adorned with golden ornaments; the seats were of the rarest value, and every furnishing crafted from pure gold. Crystal walls and massive emeralds reflected the glow of jeweled lamps, which themselves sparkled with gems taken from the ornaments of noble women. Surrounding this splendid abode were enchanting gardens, filled with wondrous celestial trees. The air was alive with the gentle cooing of pairs of birds and the melodious hum of bees intoxicated by nectar. Ponds with steps fashioned from lapis lazuli brimmed with lotuses, water lilies, and kumuda flowers, their surfaces graced by swans, cranes, and chakravaka ducks. King Uttānapāda, the royal sage, beheld his son’s extraordinary glory and, upon hearing of his virtues, was filled with the highest wonder. Seeing Dhruva grown, beloved by the people, and approved by his ministers, the king entrusted him with the rulership of the earth. Realizing his own advancing age, and with a heart detached from worldly ties, the king set out for the forest, contemplating the true path of his soul. Meanwhile, in another era, Śaunaka inquired, “O best among the righteous, after Yudhiṣṭhira vanquished those who coveted his kingdom and wealth, and sat secure 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 devastated by the fire of its own kin. Having established Yudhiṣṭhira in his rightful kingdom, the Lord was pleased at heart. Having listened to the wise counsel of Bhīṣma and Acyuta, and with his doubts dispelled by true knowledge, Yudhiṣṭhira reigned over the earth, supported by his unconquerable brothers, much like Indra himself. Under his rule, the clouds gave rain as desired, the earth yielded every wish, and the cows joyfully drenched the villages with abundant milk. Rivers, oceans, mountains, forests, and all plants and herbs produced their fruits as wished. No ailments, diseases, or troubles—whether from fate, other beings, or one’s own self—afflicted any creatures during the reign of this king, whose enemy was never born. Hari, having spent several months in Hastināpura, delighting his friends and pleasing his beloved sister, prepared to depart. After taking leave, receiving permission, embracing and bowing to his dear ones, he ascended his chariot, honored and embraced by those around him. Present were Subhadrā, Draupadī, Kuntī, the daughter of Virāṭa, Gāndhārī, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Yuyutsu, Kripa, and the twins Nakula and Sahadeva. Vṛkodara, Dhaumya, and the women of the royal house, such as the daughter of the King of Matsya, were overwhelmed and distraught, unable to bear the thought of separation from the wielder of Śārṅga. For one freed from bad company by association with the virtuous, it is impossible to abandon such company, having once heard the delightful fame of Him who is ever praised. How could the sons of Pṛthā, whose minds were fixed on Him, endure separation after having seen, touched, conversed, reclined, sat, and eaten with Him? All their hearts, drawn irresistibly toward Him, followed Him with unblinking eyes, bound by deep affection, wandering wherever He went. The women of the family, out of longing for Devakī’s son, restrained their streaming tears, thinking, “Let no inauspiciousness occur as He leaves the house.” As He departed, the sounds of mṛdaṅgas, conches, bherīs, vīṇās, paṇavas, gomukhas, dhundhuris, ānakas, bells, and dundubhis resounded throughout the city. The noble women of the Kurus, eager to see Kṛṣṇa, climbed to the tops of their palaces and showered Him with flowers, their eyes shining with love and modesty. Guḍākeśa, beloved friend, took up a white parasol adorned with a string of pearls and a jeweled handle. Uddhava and Sātyaki, with wondrous fans, fanned Madhupati as He shone along the road, being showered with flowers from above. Here and there, true blessings were heard, uttered by the twice-born—some appropriate, some not—addressed to Him who is beyond all qualities, yet is the very essence of them. Among the women of the city arose conversations, captivating to all who listened, as their minds were absorbed in the Glorious One: “Indeed, this very person is the ancient Being, who alone existed, undifferentiated, before the dawn of qualities, as the soul and Lord of the universe, His own power dormant in the night of dissolution. Again, impelled by His own will, He followed His living energy—nature—and, desiring to create, assigned names and forms to the formless Self, setting the scripture in motion. That very abode, which the sages—having mastered their senses and conquered the wind—behold with minds purified by overflowing devotion, is surely worthy to purify all existence. He, whose friendship is sung, whose sacred stories are told in the Vedas and in secret by those who know the mysteries, is the sole Lord, the soul of the universe, who by His play creates, maintains, and destroys, yet remains unattached. Whenever kings of darkened minds rule by unrighteousness, then indeed, from among the Sātvatas, He assumes forms bearing fortune, truth, compassion, and fame, for the welfare of the world, age after age. Ah, how truly praiseworthy is the lineage of Yadu! How supremely holy is the forest of Madhu, where this foremost of men, the Lord of Śrī, delights both by His birth and by His wandering. Kuśasthalī, which eclipses the fame of heaven and brings virtue to the earth, is blessed, for its people, by His grace, constantly behold their Lord’s smiling, glancing face. Surely, the Lord has been worshipped by these women through vows, ritual baths, offerings, and other observances, for He has taken their hands in marriage; repeatedly drinking the nectar of His affectionate speech, the women of Vraja became utterly absorbed in Him. Those whom He won at their own svayamvara by the price of His valor, after subduing powerful kings like Shishupala and others, and those other maidens, daughters of kings such as Pradyumna and Samba, whom He rescued by slaying Bhauma, were brought to Him by the thousands. These women, though they had abandoned all decorum and purity, have indeed attained the highest womanhood, for their lotus-eyed husband never departs from their homes, touching their hearts with His presence.” As the women of the city spoke thus, Hari, with a smiling glance, acknowledged their words and continued on His way. Out of deep affection and concern for the safety of the enemy of Madhu, Ajātaśatru deployed his fourfold army to protect Him from any possible threats on the road.