As Lord Krishna prepared to depart, blessings and benedictions were heard from every direction. The twice-born—brāhmaṇas—uttered their prayers, some perfectly fitting, others less so, all directed toward Him who is beyond the modes of nature, yet embodies all auspicious qualities. Within the city of the Kaurava king, the women gathered together, their hearts captivated and absorbed in thoughts of the Glorious One. Their conversations, whispered and excited, drew the attention of everyone nearby. They spoke: “This very person is the eternal, ancient Being. Before creation, before the play of qualities, He alone existed—undifferentiated, the very soul and Lord of the universe, His power resting dormant during the night of cosmic dissolution. Then, impelled by His own energy, He desired to create. Wishing to bestow names and forms upon the formless Self, He set the entire process of scripture and creation into motion. That supreme abode, which the great sages—having mastered their senses and the vital winds—behold with minds purified by overflowing devotion, is revealed in Him. Surely, He alone is worthy to purify all existence. He, whose friendship is extolled, whose sacred stories are sung in the Vedas and whispered in secret by the wise, is the one true Lord, the soul of the universe. Through His playful energy, He creates, maintains, and destroys all things, yet remains unattached to these acts. Whenever kings, deluded by darkness, rule with injustice, He manifests among the Sātvatas, assuming forms radiant with 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, brings delight by His very birth and wandering. Kuśasthalī, outshining even the heavens and sanctifying the earth, is blessed, for its people constantly behold, by His grace, the smiling, glancing face of their Lord. Surely, these women must have worshipped the Lord through vows, ritual baths, offerings and observances, for He has taken their hands in marriage. The women of Vraja, having drunk deeply of the nectar of His affectionate speech, became utterly absorbed in Him. Some He won at their own svayamvara, paying the price of valor by subduing mighty kings like Shishupala. Others, daughters of kings such as Pradyumna and Samba, He rescued by slaying Bhauma, bringing them to Himself by the thousands. Even those women who had forsaken all decorum and purity have attained the highest womanhood, for their lotus-eyed husband never leaves their homes, gracing their hearts with His presence. As these women spoke thus, Hari acknowledged their words with a smiling glance and continued on His way. Ajātaśatru, out of affection and concern for Krishna’s safety, deployed his fourfold army—infantry, cavalry, chariots, and elephants—to protect Him from any possible threats. Then Krishna, seeing the Kauravas who had come from afar and were sorrowful at His impending departure, affectionately persuaded them to return. He then set out for His own city with His beloved companions. His journey took Him through the lands of the Kurus, Jāngalas, Pāñcālas, Śūrasenas, those dwelling along the Yamunā, Brahmāvarta, Kurukṣetra, the Matsyas, and Sārasvatas. Crossing the desert of Marudhanva, He traveled through the regions of the Sauvīras and Ābhīras, and finally reached Ānarta, accompanied by Bhārgava, His horses somewhat fatigued by the long journey. At every place He passed, Hari was duly honored by the local people. When evening came, He turned westward, seeking pasture in the land of the cows. At that time, the celestial beings addressed Him: “O Supreme Lord, permit us, Your servants and attendants, to depart. By the sage’s grace, we have been blessed with Your vision.” They prayed, “May our speech ever recount Your virtues, our ears ever hear Your stories, our hands serve You, our minds rest at Your feet. May our heads bow in remembrance to You, the shelter of the universe, and may our eyes behold the holy ones who embody Your presence.” Śuka then explained: As the two praised Him, the Lord of Gokula—still bound to the mortar by the rope—smiled and spoke to the celestial beings. The Blessed Lord said, “This is already known to Me, for the compassionate sage revealed it: by the words of those blinded by wealth, you lost your position and thereby 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’s rays do 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.” So addressed, the two circumambulated Him, bowed again and again, took leave of the bound mortar, and departed for the northern direction. Thus, the Supreme Lord is revealed only through devotion; without such devotion, even the wise cannot behold Him. His actions, birth, and other deeds are not subject to the laws that govern others. These are ascribed to Him by Māyā, only to dispel the notion of agency. This is called Brahmā’s kalpa, which is described as having distinctions; during it, the general process of creation—both primary and secondary—unfolds. I will explain the measure of time, the form that marks a kalpa, and, as before, describe the Padma Kalpa—listen attentively. At this, Śaunaka, the wise sage, asked Sūta, “You have told us that Vidura, the foremost devotee, left behind even his most difficult-to-abandon relatives and wandered to holy places on earth. The conversation between Vidura, son of Vyāsa, and the sage Kauśārava was based on spiritual inquiry—or, that great soul, when questioned, spoke the truth to him. Please tell us, gentle one, what Vidura did, and for what reason he renounced his family and then returned again.” Sūta replied, “What the great sage replied when King Parīkṣit asked him, I will now relate to you—listen, as it follows the king’s questions.” The king had asked, “In which action of the Lord, the maker of the universe and my own self, was His fame increased by Krishna? Please describe this.” Śrī Nārada then spoke: “When the demons were defeated in battle by the gods, who were strengthened by Him, the demons approached Maya, the supreme master of illusion, for refuge. The powerful Maya constructed three cities—one of gold, one of silver, and one of iron—difficult to perceive, joined by subtle means, and furnished with defenses beyond imagination. With these cities, the armies of the demons, along with their lords, remembering their ancient enmity, began to destroy the three worlds, O king. Then, the rulers of the worlds, along with their lords, approached the Lord, bowed down, and pleaded, ‘Protect us, O God! We are being destroyed by the inhabitants of Tripura.’ The Lord, showing them favor, said, ‘Do not fear,’ and, stringing an arrow to His bow, released a weapon upon the cities. Arrows blazing like fire arose from the solar orb; just as rays of light, they were not seen as they approached the cities.” Thus unfolded the divine acts of the Lord, His presence and grace permeating all creation, His fame ever resounding among gods and mortals alike.