This is the sovereignty of the Supreme Lord: though he dwells within the world of nature and its ever-shifting qualities, he is never bound by them. Just as those who take shelter in him find their own minds untouched by the world's influences, so too does he remain free, his divine nature untainted. Yet, not everyone recognizes his true measure. The women of Vraja, unaware of the Lord’s limitless greatness, thought of Krishna as their own beloved, devoted to them in private moments, just as ordinary minds, unable to grasp his divinity, mistake him for someone limited and ordinary. Krishna and Balarama, in their playful youth, would sometimes bellow and roar like bulls in rut, imitating the cries of animals, engaging in games together as if they were just ordinary boys. One day, as Krishna and Balarama tended their calves with their friends by the banks of the Yamuna, a demon approached, intent on their destruction. This demon had taken the form of a calf and mingled with the herd, but the all-knowing Hari, feigning innocence, sat down slowly and subtly pointed him out to Balarama. Then, with effortless might, Krishna seized the demon by his hind legs and tail, whirled him around, and flung him onto the top of a kapittha tree. The demon, struck down, fell lifeless amidst the falling fruits. The cowherd boys, astonished at this feat, cried out in delight, “Well done! Well done!” From above, the gods, pleased beyond measure, showered flowers upon the scene. Though Krishna and Balarama are the sole protectors of all the worlds, they continued to act as simple cowherd boys, tending the calves and sharing their morning meal with their friends as usual. On another day, each boy led his own group of calves to the water’s edge. After letting the calves drink, they themselves quenched their thirst. There, on the riverbank, the boys beheld a towering form, as formidable as a mountain peak struck down by Indra’s thunderbolt. This was Baka, a mighty demon in the form of a crane, who suddenly lunged forward and seized Krishna in his sharp beak. Seeing Krishna swallowed by the great Baka, Balarama and the other boys were paralyzed with fear, as if their very senses had lost their life. But Krishna, the teacher of the world and beloved son of the cowherds, burned the root of Baka’s palate with the fire of his presence. Overwhelmed by pain, Baka spat Krishna out and, enraged, attacked once more, striking with his beak to kill. As Baka rushed upon him, Krishna, the Lord of the virtuous and friend of Kamsa, seized the demon’s beak in his arms and, before the astonished eyes of the boys, tore it apart with effortless ease, like a hero among the gods. The boys rejoiced, and the gods rained down Nandana flowers and jasmine, praising Krishna with the sounds of drums, conches, and hymns. The sons of the cowherds watched in amazement. When Krishna emerged safely from Baka’s mouth, the boys, led by Balarama, felt as if their very life had returned. Overjoyed, they embraced Krishna, gathered the calves, and returned to Vraja, singing joyfully of the wondrous event. Hearing their tale, the cowherds and their wives gazed at Krishna with wonder and deep affection, their eyes drinking him in as if he had returned from the dead. They marveled, “Alas, how many dangers this boy has faced! Perhaps some past misdeed of ours is the cause of this fear.” Yet, they also recognized, “These terrifying beings cannot overcome him; though they approach with intent to kill, they perish like moths in a flame.” They recalled the words of the sage Garga: “Indeed, the words of the knowers of Brahman are never false. Just as Garga declared, so it has come to pass.” And so, Nanda and the other cowherds, delighting in tales of Krishna and Balarama, spent their days in joy, untouched by worldly suffering. Thus, the boys of Vraja passed their childhood in playful games—hiding, building dams, leaping like monkeys—immersed in the simple joys of boyhood under Krishna’s loving gaze. *** At this point, Shaunaka, the wise sage, spoke: “By the power of Ashvatthama’s Brahmashirsha weapon, Uttara’s unborn child was struck down, yet by the Lord’s grace, he was restored to life. We wish to hear about this child’s birth, his noble deeds, and how his end came. Please tell us, for we are eager listeners, blessed to receive the knowledge Shuka imparted.” Sūta replied: King Yudhishthira, like a loving father, delighted his subjects and remained unattached to worldly desires, his heart ever devoted to the service of Krishna’s feet. He possessed great wealth, performed sacrifices, ruled over vast realms and lands, enjoyed the company of queens and brothers, held dominion over Jambudvipa, and possessed fame that reached the heavens. But, O twice-born, what value are even the desires coveted by gods to one whose mind is fixed on Mukunda? Just as a hungry king finds joy in other things, so too did Yudhishthira, his mind satisfied in devotion. While still in his mother’s womb, the heroic child, Parikshit, saw a wondrous Person as he was being burned by the power of the weapon. He beheld an immaculate form, no larger than a thumb, shining with a golden diadem, dark in complexion, wondrous to behold, clad in yellow garments—the infallible Lord himself. This radiant form had four long arms, blazing golden earrings, eyes red as blood, and held a mace. He moved all around the child, whirling the mace like a blazing meteor, dispelling the weapon’s fiery energy, just as the lord of cows disperses mist. The child watched, awestruck, wondering, “Who is this?” 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 signs 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, filled with joy, had the child’s birth chart cast by the Brahmins—Dhaumya, Kripa, and others—and performed all auspicious rites. Knowing the sacred duties, he gave gold, cows, land, villages, elephants, horses, and excellent food to the Brahmins at the holy site of birth. Satisfied, the Brahmins spoke to the humble king: “O foremost of the Puru dynasty, in this line of yours, he is the one. By the irresistible will of fate, as the white hair ascends to its end, he has been sent for your blessing by Viṣṇu, the all-powerful Lord. Therefore, he will be renowned in the world as Viṣṇurāta—protected by Viṣṇu. There is no doubt; he will be a great devotee, a great soul.” Yudhishthira, ever concerned for righteousness, asked: “Will this child follow the virtuous path of the royal sages of our line, the illustrious and noble ones, praised by the good and the wise?