Sūta continued his narration: The Supreme Lord Hari, the creator of all worlds, restored the Kuru dynasty, which had been devastated by the internecine strife of its own descendants. Having established Yudhiṣṭhira firmly upon his rightful throne, the Lord was deeply pleased at heart. Yudhiṣṭhira, having heard the final, wise instructions of Bhīṣma and Acyuta (Kṛṣṇa), found his doubts dispelled by true knowledge. Supported by his unconquerable brothers, he ruled the earth with the majesty of Indra himself, his brothers faithfully following him. Under his reign, the land flourished. The clouds poured rain as needed, the earth yielded every desired bounty, and the cows, full of joy, drenched the villages with abundant milk. The rivers, oceans, mountains, forests, and all herbs and plants produced their fruits as wished for. No one suffered from ailments, diseases, or troubles arising from fate, other creatures, or their own actions. All beings lived free from distress under the rule of this king, whose enmity was unknown. Hari, the Lord, remained in Hastināpura for several months, bringing joy to His friends and delighting His beloved sister. When the time came for His departure, He took leave, receiving permission from all, embracing and bowing to His dear ones. He ascended His chariot, embraced and honored by some of them. Present at this moment 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 overcome with grief, unable to bear separation from Kṛṣṇa, the wielder of Śārṅga. Indeed, when one is freed from bad company by association with the virtuous, one cannot abandon such company, having once tasted the sweetness of the Lord’s fame. How could the sons of Pṛthā, whose minds were fixed on Him, bear to be apart from Kṛṣṇa—after seeing, touching, speaking, resting, sitting, and dining with Him? Their hearts rushed after Him as He departed; they followed Him with unblinking eyes, bound by affection, wandering here and there, unable to turn away. The women of the family, restraining their streaming tears out of longing for Devakī’s son, thought only, “Let no inauspiciousness befall Him as He leaves our home.” As He set out, mṛdaṅgas, conches, bherīs, vīṇās, paṇavas, gomukhas, dhundhuris, ānakas, bells, and dundubhis resounded in joyous celebration. The noble women of the Kuru dynasty, eager to behold Kṛṣṇa, climbed to the tops of their palaces, showering Him with flowers, their eyes shining with love and modesty. Arjuna, dearest friend of the Lord, took up a white parasol adorned with pearls and a jeweled handle to shade Kṛṣṇa. Uddhava and Sātyaki, with wondrous fans, fanned Madhupati as He shone along the road, flowers falling upon Him. Here and there, the twice-born uttered blessings—some apt, some not—addressed to Him who is beyond all qualities, yet the very essence of all qualities. Among the women of the city, captivating conversations arose, their hearts absorbed in thoughts of the Glorious One. They spoke, “Truly, this very person is the ancient, undifferentiated Being who alone existed before all qualities, the soul and Lord of the universe, His power latent during the night of dissolution. Again, impelled by His own power, He desired to create, and, wishing to assign names and forms to the formless Self, set the scripture in motion. That supreme abode, which sages—having mastered their senses and conquered the breath—behold with minds purified by overflowing devotion, is He Himself, the purifier of all existence. He, whose friendship is sung, whose sacred stories are told in the Vedas and in secret by the wise, is the sole Lord, the soul of the universe. By His play He creates, maintains, and destroys, yet remains unattached. Whenever kings of darkened minds govern unrighteously, He descends among the Sātvatas, assuming forms that embody fortune, truth, compassion, and fame, for the world’s welfare, age after age. How praiseworthy is the lineage of Yadu! How supremely holy is the forest of Madhu, where this foremost of men, the Lord of Śrī, delights by His birth and wanderings. Kuśasthalī, which eclipses the fame of heaven and brings virtue to the earth, is truly blessed, for its people, by His grace, constantly behold His smiling, glancing face. Surely, these women have worshipped Him through vows, ritual baths, offerings, and observances, for He has taken their hands in marriage; their hearts utterly absorbed in Him, drinking the nectar of His affectionate speech, as did the women of Vraja. Those whom He won at their own svayamvara by His valor, subduing powerful kings like Shishupala, and the 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, touching their hearts with His presence.” As the women spoke thus, Hari, with a smiling glance, acknowledged their words and continued on His way. Ajātaśatru (Yudhiṣṭhira), out of affection and concern for Kṛṣṇa’s safety, sent forth his fourfold army to protect Him from any possible threat. Then Śauri (Kṛṣṇa), seeing the Kauravas who had come from afar and were distressed by separation, affectionately persuaded them to return, and set out for His own city with His beloved companions. He passed through the lands of the Kurus, Jāngalas, Pāñcālas, Śūrasenas, those along the Yamunā, Brahmāvarta, Kurukṣetra, Matsyas, and Sārasvatas. Crossing the desert of Marudhanva, He entered the regions of the Sauvīras and Ābhīras, and finally came to Ānarta, accompanied by Bhārgava, His horses somewhat fatigued. At each place, Hari was duly honored by the local people. In the evening, He turned westward, seeking pasture, and went to the land of the cows. There, the people prayed, “O Supreme Lord, permit us, Your servants and attendants, to depart; by the sage’s grace, we have been blessed with the sight of the Lord. May our speech recount Your virtues, our ears hear Your stories, our hands serve You, and our minds rest at Your feet; may our heads bow in remembrance to You, the abode of the universe, and our eyes behold the holy ones who embody You.” Śuka then said: As these two praised Him, the Lord of Gokula, who had once been bound to the mortar by a rope, smiled and spoke to the celestial beings. The Blessed Lord said, “All this was already known to Me, revealed by the compassionate sage. Because of the words of those blinded by wealth, you lost your position and thus received My grace. For those who are virtuous, even-minded, and wholly devoted to Me, there is no bondage from seeing Me—just as the sun does not bind the eyes of men.