Having listened to the wise counsel of Bhīṣma and the words of Acyuta, Yudhiṣṭhira, his doubts dispelled by true knowledge, ruled the earth with justice and compassion. Supported by his unconquerable brothers, he governed like Indra himself, and the world flourished under his reign. During this golden age, the clouds brought rain as desired, the earth yielded all that anyone wished for, and the cows, brimming with joy, drenched the villages with abundant milk. Rivers flowed full and pure, oceans remained tranquil, mountains stood firm, forests thrived, and every herb and plant bore fruit as desired. Throughout the kingdom, no one was afflicted by disease, misfortune, or any kind of suffering—whether from fate, from others, or from their own actions—so perfect was the rule of Yudhiṣṭhira, the king whose enemy was never born. At this time, Hari—Lord Kṛṣṇa—remained in Hastināpura for several months, delighting His friends and bringing joy to His beloved sister. When the time came for Him to depart, having taken leave and received permission, He embraced His dear ones and bowed to them. Ascending His chariot, He was honored and embraced by those who loved Him. Gathered there were Subhadrā, Draupadī, Kuntī, the daughter of Virāṭa, Gāndhārī, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Yuyutsu, Kripa, and the twins Nakula and Sahadeva. Bhīma (Vṛkodara), Dhaumya, and the women—such as the daughter of the King of Matsya—were overcome with sorrow and unable to bear the thought of separation from the wielder of the Śārṅga bow. Indeed, when one is freed from bad company and associates with the virtuous, the wise find it impossible to abandon such company, especially after hearing the delightful fame of the Lord who is ever praised. How could the sons of Pṛthā, whose hearts and minds were ever fixed on Him, endure the pain of separation after having seen, touched, spoken with, rested, sat, and eaten with Him? Their hearts drawn irresistibly toward Him, all of them followed Kṛṣṇa with unblinking eyes, their affection binding them as they wandered here and there. The women of the family, out of love and longing for Devakī’s son, restrained their streaming tears, thinking, “Let no inauspiciousness befall Him as He leaves the house.” As Kṛṣṇa prepared to depart, the air resounded with the music of 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 the palaces, showering Him with flowers, their eyes shining with love and modesty. Arjuna, the beloved friend, 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 on the road, being showered with flowers. Throughout the procession, the twice-born uttered blessings—some appropriate, some not—addressed to Him who is beyond all qualities, yet the very essence of them. Among the women of the Kaurava city, there arose enchanting conversations, captivating all who listened, as their minds were absorbed in the glories of Kṛṣṇa. They spoke, “Indeed, this very person is the ancient Being, who alone existed before creation, undifferentiated, the soul and Lord of the universe, whose own power lay dormant during the night of dissolution. Then, impelled by His own energy, He desired to create, assigning names and forms to the formless Self, and set the world in motion, becoming the author of the scriptures. “That very abode, which the sages perceive with purified minds and overflowing devotion, is surely this Being, who alone can purify existence. He, whose friendship is praised, whose sacred stories are sung in the Vedas and revealed in secret by the wise, is the sole Lord, the soul of the universe, who creates, maintains, and destroys all by His play, yet remains unattached. “Whenever kings of darkened minds rule by unrighteousness, He descends among the Sātvatas, assuming forms radiant with fortune, truth, compassion, and fame, for the welfare of the world, 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 wandering. Kuśasthalī, city of Dvārakā, surpasses the fame of heaven and sanctifies the earth, for its people, by His grace, constantly behold their Lord’s smiling face. “Surely these women have worshipped the Lord through vows, baths, offerings, and sacred observances, for He has taken their hands in marriage; and the women of Vraja, who drank the nectar of His affectionate words, became utterly absorbed in Him. Those whom He won at their own svayamvara by His valor, after subduing powerful kings like Shishupāla, and 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 have abandoned all social conventions, have attained the highest womanhood, for their lotus-eyed husband never leaves their homes, always touching their hearts with His presence.” As the women spoke thus, Hari acknowledged their words with a smiling glance and continued on His way. Out of affection and concern for Kṛṣṇa’s safety, Yudhiṣṭhira, Ajātaśatru, sent forth his fourfold army to protect Him from any possible threats. Then Śauri—Kṛṣṇa—seeing the Kauravas who had come from afar and were distressed by the thought of separation, affectionately persuaded them to return, and 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 crossed the desert of Marudhanva, journeyed through the Sauvīras and Ābhīras, and finally reached Ānarta, accompanied by Bhārgava, His horses somewhat weary. At every place, Hari was honored by the local people. In the evening, He turned westward and, seeking pasture, entered the land of the cows. There, the attendants and servants approached the Supreme Lord and said, “O Lord, permit us to depart; by the sage’s grace, we have been blessed with Your darśana.” They prayed, “May our speech ever recount Your virtues, our ears delight in hearing Your stories, our hands serve You, our minds rest at Your feet; may our heads bow in remembrance of You, the abode of the universe, and may our eyes behold the holy ones who embody You.” Śuka then said: As the two praised Him in this way, the Lord of Gokula, who was still bound to the mortar by the rope, smiled and addressed the celestial beings. The Blessed Lord said, “This was already known to Me, revealed by the compassionate sage: by the words of those blinded by wealth, you were deprived of your position and thus received My grace. “For those who are virtuous, even-minded, and wholly devoted to Me, there is no bondage in seeing Me, just as the sun does not bind the eyes of men. Now return to your own abode, O Nalakūbara, for the supreme devotion you both desired for Me has arisen in your hearts.