The Lord, by his own divine power, descended into the world of men. Surrounded by the most distinguished women, he appeared to enjoy himself just like an ordinary man, blending seamlessly into the fabric of daily life. Their passionate glances, bashful smiles, and sidelong looks were so enchanting that even Cupid, struck by their allure, became bewildered and set aside his bow. Yet, despite their charms, these foremost women could not sway his senses or disturb his mind with their wiles. People, not understanding his true nature, mistakenly believed him to be attached to worldly pleasures, judging him by their own standards. They saw him engaged in ordinary affairs and thought he was bound by them. But such is the sovereignty of the Lord: though he dwells in the midst of nature, he is never bound by its qualities—just as the intelligence of one who takes refuge in him remains unaffected by the world’s influences. Ignorant women, unaware of the measure of their Lord, imagined he belonged only to them, devoted in private, much as ordinary minds mistake the limitless Lord for something confined. Krishna and Balarama, roaring and bellowing like bulls in rut, would imitate the cries of animals and play together, appearing as ordinary beings. One day, while Krishna and Balarama tended their calves along the bank of the Yamuna, a demon approached, intent on killing them. He had taken the form of a calf and mingled with the herd. Hari, feigning innocence, sat down and subtly pointed him out to Balarama. Then, Acyuta seized the demon by his hind legs, tail and all, whirled him around, and hurled him onto the top of a kapittha tree. The demon, struck by the falling fruits, fell lifeless to the ground. The astonished boys exclaimed, “Well done! Well done!” while the gods, greatly pleased, showered flowers from above. Though Krishna and Balarama are the sole protectors of all the worlds, they played the part of cowherd boys, tending calves and taking their morning meal as usual. On another occasion, each boy led his own group of calves to the water’s edge. After letting the calves drink, they themselves drank from the river. There, the boys saw a great being standing—like a mountain peak struck by Indra’s thunderbolt. It was Baka, a mighty demon in the form of a crane, who suddenly approached and seized Krishna with his sharp beak. Seeing Krishna swallowed by Baka, Rama and the other boys became like senses bereft of life, bewildered and helpless. But Krishna, the son of the cowherd and teacher of the world, burned the root of Baka’s palate like fire. Overwhelmed by pain, Baka spat him out and, enraged, attacked again with his beak to kill him. As Baka rushed upon him, Krishna, the Lord of virtue and friend of Kamsa, seized him by the beak and, while the boys watched, effortlessly tore him apart, bringing them great joy. The residents of heaven showered Krishna with Nandana flowers and jasmine, praising him with drums, conches, and hymns. The sons of the cowherds were amazed. When Krishna was released from Baka’s mouth, the boys, led by Rama, felt as if their lives had returned. They embraced Krishna with relief, gathered the calves, and joyfully returned to Vraja, singing of the event. Hearing the tale, the cowherds and their wives, filled with wonder and deep affection, gazed at Krishna with thirsty eyes, as if he had returned from the dead. They lamented, “Alas, how many dangers this boy has faced! Perhaps some past misdeed of ours is the cause of this fear.” Yet, they observed, none of those terrifying beings could overcome Krishna; though they approached with intent to kill, they perished like moths in a flame. Indeed, the words of the knowers of Brahman are never false; just as sage Garga declared, so it has come to pass. Thus, Nanda and the other cowherds, delighting in tales of Krishna and Rama, passed their days in joy, unaware of worldly suffering. In this way, through childhood play—games of hiding, building dams, and leaping like monkeys—they spent their boyhood in Vraja. Shaunaka then asked: “By the power of Ashvatthama’s Brahmashirsha weapon, Uttara’s unborn child was struck down, but by the Lord’s grace, he was restored to life. We wish to hear about his birth, his deeds as a great soul, and how his end came, and to know where he went after death. If you think it proper, please tell us this, for we are eager listeners, to whom Shuka imparted this knowledge.” Sūta replied: King Yudhishthira, like a loving father, delighted his subjects, being unattached to all desires through service at Krishna’s feet. He possessed wealth, performed sacrifices, ruled realms, had queens and brothers, dominion over Jambudvipa, and fame that reached the heavens. O twice-born, what value are desires coveted even by the gods to one whose mind is fixed on Mukunda? Just as other things bring joy to a hungry king, so did they bring delight. O descendant of Bhrigu, while still in his mother’s womb, the heroic child saw a certain Person as he was being burned by the power of the weapon. He saw an immaculate form, the size of a thumb, shining, crowned with a golden diadem, dark in complexion, wondrous to behold, clad in yellow garments—the infallible One. Resplendent with four long arms, adorned with blazing golden earrings, blood-red eyes, and holding a mace, the Lord moved all around the child in every direction, whirling the mace like a blazing meteor. With his own mace, the Lord dispelled the weapon’s fiery energy, just as the lord of cows disperses mist, and the child watched closely, wondering, “Who is this?” Then, having removed the danger, the immeasurable Lord, protector of righteousness and all-pervading, disappeared before the child’s very eyes at the end of ten months. Thereafter, when all auspicious qualities had arisen and the planets were favorable, the bearer of the Pāṇḍu line was born again, endowed with the strength of Pāṇḍu himself. The king, his mind filled with joy, had the child’s birth chart cast by the Brahmins—Dhaumya, Kṛpa, and others—and performed auspicious rites. Knowing the sacred duties, the king gave gold, cows, land, villages, elephants, horses, and excellent food to the Brahmins at the holy site of birth. The satisfied Brahmins then spoke to the humble king: “O foremost of the Puru dynasty, in this line of yours, he is the one.