As Krishna, the slayer of Baka, emerged victorious, the heavens themselves rejoiced. The celestial beings showered him with fragrant Nandana blossoms and jasmine, their joy resounding through the skies with the beat of drums, the blare of conches, and the chanting of hymns. Witnessing this divine celebration, the sons of the cowherds, Krishna’s dear companions, gazed on in wonder. When Krishna was freed from the monstrous Baka’s jaws, it was as if life itself had returned to the boys. Led by Rama, they rushed to embrace Krishna, their hearts overflowing with relief. Gathering their calves, they made their way back to Vraja, their voices ringing out in joyful songs recounting Krishna’s miraculous deliverance. The news quickly spread, and the cowherds and their wives, filled with awe and deep affection, welcomed Krishna home as though he had returned from the very edge of death. Their eyes, thirsty with love and concern, could not drink in enough of his presence. They marveled, “Alas, how many dangers this boy has faced! Perhaps it is some misdeed of ours in the past that brings these fears upon us.” Yet they also observed, “No matter how terrifying the threat, none can overcome him. Those who seek to harm him perish like moths drawn to a blazing flame.” They recalled the words of the wise Garga, the knower of Brahman, and realized that his prophecy had come true—such words are never false. So, Nanda and the other cowherds passed their days delighting in tales of Krishna and Rama, their hearts so full of joy that all worldly suffering seemed to vanish from memory. Krishna and his friends spent their boyhood in Vraja, lost in the innocent pleasures of childhood—playing games of hiding, building dams in the streams, and leaping about like monkeys. At this point, Shaunaka, the sage, spoke: “By the terrible power of Ashvatthama’s Brahmashirsha weapon, Uttara’s unborn child was struck down in the womb. Yet, by the Lord’s grace, the child was restored to life. We long to hear of this child’s birth, his deeds as a great soul, the manner of his death, and his destination after leaving this world. If you deem it proper, please tell us, for we are eager listeners to whom Shuka imparted this wisdom.” Sūta replied: King Yudhishthira, ever devoted to Krishna’s feet, ruled his kingdom as a loving father, his heart unattached to worldly desires. He possessed great wealth, performed many sacrifices, ruled over vast realms with noble queens and brothers, and his fame reached even the heavens. Yet, O twice-born sages, what value have desires—even those coveted by the gods—for one whose mind is fixed on Mukunda? Like a hungry king who finds joy in simple things, so did Yudhishthira find delight in all he possessed. Now, while still in his mother’s womb, the heroic child saw a wondrous Person as the weapon’s power burned around him. The child beheld a radiant form, no larger than a thumb, dark-hued, crowned with a golden diadem, clad in yellow garments, and shining with an otherworldly glow—the infallible Lord himself. Resplendent, with four long arms adorned with blazing golden earrings and blood-red eyes, he held a mace and moved around the child in every direction, whirling the mace like a blazing meteor. With that mace, the Lord dispelled the weapon’s fiery energy, just as the lord of cows disperses the morning mist. The unborn child watched in amazement, wondering, “Who is this?” When the danger had passed, the immeasurable Lord—the protector of righteousness, the all-pervading one—vanished from the child’s sight at the end of ten months. When all auspicious signs had appeared and the planets were favorable, the child of the Pāṇḍu line was born, possessing the very strength of Pāṇḍu. King Yudhishthira, filled with joy, had the child’s birth chart cast by the learned Brahmins—Dhaumya, Kṛpa, and others—and performed all the auspicious rites. Knowing the sacred duties, the king gave gifts of gold, cows, land, villages, elephants, horses, and fine food to the Brahmins at the holy site of the birth. The satisfied Brahmins spoke to the humble king: “O foremost of the Puru dynasty, in this noble line of yours, this child is the one. By the irresistible will of fate, when the white hair of your dynasty reaches its end, he has been sent for your blessing by Viṣṇu, the all-powerful Lord. Therefore, he will be renowned as Viṣṇurāta—protected by Viṣṇu. There is no doubt; he will be a great devotee, a great soul.” Yudhishthira asked, “Will this child follow the virtuous path of the royal sages of our line, those illustrious and noble ones praised by the wise?” The Brahmins replied, “O son of Pṛthā, he will be a true protector of the people, like Ikṣvāku among men. He will be devoted to the Brahmins and truthful, like Rāma, son of Daśaratha. He will be a generous giver and a refuge, like Śibi of the Auśīnara line, and he will spread the fame of his kin, like Duṣyanta’s son among sacrificers. He will be foremost among archers, equal to both Arjunas; unassailable like fire, and difficult to cross like the ocean. Valiant like a lion among beasts, steadfast like the Himalayas, patient like the earth, and tolerant like his parents. Equal to his grandsire in impartiality, like Śiva in graciousness, and a refuge for all beings, as the Lord is for Lakṣmī. Devoted to Krishna, he will possess all noble qualities and greatness; as generous as Rantideva and as righteous as Yayati. In steadfastness he will be like Bali; in devotion to Krishna, like Prahlada; he will perform horse sacrifices and serve his elders. He will be the progenitor of royal sages and the chastiser of those who stray from the path; for the sake of dharma, he will restrain Kali on earth. Hearing of his impending death from Takshaka, sent by a sage’s son, he will renounce all attachment and attain the abode of Hari. Desiring to know the true nature of the self, he will hear from the sage, Vyasa’s son, and, leaving his body on the banks of the Ganga, he will go directly, free from fear.” Having thus instructed the king, all the honored Brahmins returned to their homes. The child became renowned in the world as Parikshit, for, reflecting on what he had seen before his birth, he would examine men throughout the land. That prince grew swiftly, like the waxing moon, nourished daily by his father, as the moon by offerings of wood. Desiring to perform a horse sacrifice to atone for the offense against his relatives, King Yudhishthira, having gained wealth, considered how best to accomplish this without imposing taxes or fines upon his subjects.