In that divine realm, there were enchanting gardens filled with marvelous celestial trees, where pairs of birds cooed sweetly and bees, intoxicated by the fragrance, sang joyously. Nearby, tranquil ponds gleamed with steps of lapis lazuli, their waters adorned with blooming lotuses, water lilies, and kumuda flowers. Swans, cranes, and chakravaka ducks made these waters their home, adding to the beauty and serenity. At this time, King Uttānapāda, the royal sage, beheld the extraordinary glory of his son and heard of his wondrous deeds. Overwhelmed with astonishment and joy, he saw that his son Dhruva had grown into a beloved leader, cherished by the people and approved by the ministers. Recognizing this, the king bestowed upon Dhruva the lordship of the earth. Understanding the approach of his own old age, and now free from worldly attachments, the king renounced his royal life. With a heart fixed on the spiritual path, he departed for the forest, contemplating the journey of his soul. Meanwhile, elsewhere, the great sage Śaunaka inquired, "O best among the righteous, after Yudhiṣṭhira had vanquished those who coveted his kingdom and wealth, and had secured prosperity for himself and his brothers, what did he do next? How did he proceed?" Sūta replied, "Hari, the Supreme Lord and creator of the universe, restored the Kuru dynasty, which had been ravaged by the flames of its own internecine strife. Establishing Yudhiṣṭhira firmly upon his rightful throne, Hari was pleased at heart. Having heard the wise instructions of Bhīṣma and Acyuta (Kṛṣṇa), Yudhiṣṭhira’s doubts were dispelled by true knowledge. Supported by his unconquerable brothers, he ruled the earth like Indra, with his brothers always by his side. During his reign, the clouds showered rain as desired, the earth yielded every bounty, and the cows joyfully filled the villages with abundant milk. The rivers, oceans, mountains, forests, and all plants and herbs flourished, producing fruits at will. No ailments, diseases, or troubles—whether from fate, from other beings, or from within—ever afflicted the creatures during the reign of this peerless king. After spending several months in Hastināpura, bringing joy to his friends and pleasing his beloved sister, Hari prepared to depart. Taking leave with the blessings and permission of his kin, he embraced and bowed to them, honored and embraced by many. Present at his departure were Subhadrā, Draupadī, Kuntī, the daughter of Virāṭa, Gāndhārī, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Yuyutsu, Kripa, and the twins Nakula and Sahadeva. Vṛkodara (Bhīma), Dhaumya, and the women—such as the daughter of the King of Matsya—were left bewildered and distraught, unable to bear the pain of separation from Kṛṣṇa, the wielder of Śārṅga. Freed from bad company through association with the virtuous, a wise person cannot relinquish such company, especially after hearing the delightful fame of the Lord. How could the sons of Pṛthā, whose minds were ever fixed on Him, possibly endure the separation—after having seen, touched, spoken with, reclined, sat, and eaten in His company? All of them, their hearts rushing after Him, followed Him with unblinking eyes, bound by deep affection, wandering here and there in longing. The women of the household restrained their tears, yearning for Devakī’s son, thinking, "Let no inauspiciousness befall Him as He leaves the house." As He departed, the air resounded with joyous music: mṛdaṅgas, conches, bherīs, vīṇās, paṇavas, gomukhas, dhundhuris, ānakas, bells, and dundubhis. The noble women of the Kuru dynasty, eager to behold Kṛṣṇa, climbed to the tops of their palaces and showered Him with flowers, their eyes beaming with love and modesty. Guḍākeśa (Arjuna), Kṛṣṇa’s dearest friend, took up a white parasol adorned with pearls and a jeweled handle to shade Him. Uddhava and Sātyaki stood by with wondrous fans, fanning Madhupati as He shone on the road, garlanded by falling flowers. Here and there, true blessings were uttered by the twice-born—some appropriate, some not—addressed to Him who is both beyond all qualities and the essence of all qualities. Among the women of the city, captivating conversations arose, their hearts absorbed in the Glorious One. They spoke: "Indeed, this very person is the ancient Being, the soul and Lord of the universe, who alone existed before creation, undifferentiated, with His power dormant during the cosmic night. Again, impelled by His own energy, He set creation in motion, assigning names and forms, and establishing the scriptures. This very abode, which the sages—having mastered their senses and minds through devotion—behold with purified hearts, is the One who purifies all existence. His friendship is sung, His sacred stories told in the Vedas and in secret by those who know the mysteries. He alone is the Lord, the soul of the universe, who creates, maintains, and destroys by His play, yet remains unattached to these acts. Whenever kings rule in unrighteousness, He appears among the Sātvatas, bearing fortune, truth, compassion, and fame, for the welfare of the world, age after age. How praiseworthy is the lineage of Yadu! How holy is the forest of Madhu, where this foremost of men, the Lord of Śrī, delights by His birth and wandering! Kuśasthalī, surpassing even the fame of heaven, is blessed, for its people constantly behold their Lord’s smiling, glancing face. Surely, these women have worshipped the Lord through vows, ritual baths, offerings, and observances, for He has taken their hands in marriage. 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 valor—after subduing kings like Shishupala—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 attained the highest womanhood, for their lotus-eyed husband never leaves their homes, filling their hearts with His presence." As the women spoke thus, Hari, with a smiling glance, acknowledged their words and continued on His way. Out of deep affection and concern for Kṛṣṇa’s safety, Ajātaśatru (Yudhiṣṭhira) deployed his fourfold army to protect Him from any possible threat. Then Śauri (Kṛṣṇa), seeing the Kauravas who had come from afar and were sorrowful at the prospect of separation, affectionately persuaded them to return. He then departed for His own city with His beloved companions. Passing through the lands of the Kurus, Jāngalas, Pāñcālas, Śūrasenas, the regions along the Yamunā, Brahmāvarta, Kurukṣetra, Matsyas, and Sārasvatas, He journeyed on. Crossing the desert of Marudhanva, He entered the lands of the Sauvīras and Ābhīras, and finally reached Ānarta, accompanied by Bhārgava, His horses somewhat fatigued from the long journey.