The sages, eager to hear more of the sacred history, respectfully requested, “If you deem it proper, please tell us this, for we are eager listeners to whom Shuka imparted this knowledge.” Sūta began his narration: King Yudhishthira, having devoted himself to the service of Krishna’s feet, ruled his kingdom with the affection and care of a father, remaining unattached to worldly desires. He possessed immense wealth, performed great sacrifices, ruled over vast realms and lands, had noble queens and loyal brothers, enjoyed dominion over Jambudvipa, and his fame reached all the way to the heavens. Yet, O twice-born, what value do even the most coveted desires hold for one whose mind is fixed on Mukunda, the Liberator? Just as a hungry king finds delight in food, so too did Yudhishthira enjoy these blessings, though his heart remained unattached. O descendant of Bhrigu, let me tell you of a wondrous event. While still in his mother Uttara’s womb, the heroic child Parikshit beheld a certain Person as he was being burned by the fiery power of a weapon. He saw an immaculate form, no larger than a thumb, shining brilliantly, crowned with a golden diadem, dark in complexion, wondrous to behold, clad in yellow garments—the infallible Lord Himself. This resplendent figure had four long arms, was adorned with blazing golden earrings, and had eyes red as blood. He held a mace, and, moving all around the child in every direction, He whirled the mace again and again, like a blazing meteor. With His own mace, the Lord dispersed the weapon’s fiery energy, just as the lord of cows dispels mist. The child watched in wonder, asking himself, “Who is this?” Having removed the danger, the immeasurable Lord—the protector of righteousness and the all-pervading One—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 heir of the Pāṇḍu line was born again, endowed with the strength of Pāṇḍu himself. Overjoyed, King Yudhishthira summoned the Brahmins—Dhaumya, Kṛpa, and others—to cast the child’s birth chart and perform the auspicious rites. The king, well-versed in sacred duties, gave lavish gifts of gold, cows, land, villages, elephants, horses, and excellent food to the Brahmins at the holy site of birth. Satisfied, the Brahmins addressed the humble king: “O foremost of the Puru dynasty, in your line, he is the one. By the irresistible will of fate, when 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 then asked, “Will this child follow the virtuous path of the royal sages of our line—the illustrious and noble ones, praised by the wise and good?” The Brahmins replied, “O son of Pṛthā, he will be a true protector of the people, like Ikṣvāku among men, devoted to the Brahmins and truthful, like Rāma, son of Daśaratha. He will be generous and a refuge, like Śibi of the Auśīnara line; he will spread the fame of his kin, like Duṣyanta’s son among the sacrificers. He will be foremost among archers, equal to both Arjunas; unassailable like fire, difficult to cross like the ocean. Valiant like a lion among beasts, steadfast like the Himālaya, patient like the earth, and tolerant like his parents. Equal to his grandsire in impartiality, like Śiva in graciousness, a refuge for all beings, as the Lord is for Lakṣmī. He, devoted to Krishna, possesses all noble qualities and greatness; as generous as Rantideva and as righteous as Yayati. In steadfastness he is like Bali; in devotion to Krishna, like Prahlada; he will perform horse sacrifices and serve the 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. Upon hearing of his impending death from Takshaka, sent by the 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, O King, he will go directly, free from fear.” Having thus instructed the king, the honored Brahmins returned to their own homes. This child is renowned in the world as Parikshit, for, reflecting on what he had seen before his birth, he would examine men in this world. The prince grew quickly, like the waxing moon, nourished daily by his father, as if with sacred pieces of wood. Desiring to perform a horse sacrifice to atone for the offenses against his relatives, King Yudhishthira, having acquired wealth, pondered how to gather resources without burdening his people with taxes and fines. Perceiving his intention, his brothers, inspired by Achyuta (Krishna), brought abundant wealth from the northern direction. With these resources, Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, performed three horse sacrifices, worshipping Hari with great fear and reverence. Invited by the king, the Lord Krishna, after Yudhishthira’s consecration by the Brahmins, remained for several months out of affection for His friends. Finally, with the king’s permission, Krishna, together with His relatives, departed for Dvaraka, accompanied by Arjuna and the Yadus. The childhood deed of Hari—the deliverance of His devotee—was witnessed by the boys in Vraja during their youth, and they spoke of it in wonder. This is not surprising for the Supreme Creator, who assumes human form for His pastimes. Even Agha, whose sins were washed away by the Lord’s touch, attained equality with the self—a rare attainment for the wicked. He who but once placed the image of the Lord within his mind attained the supreme path of devotion; what then of one who, free from illusion, constantly experiences the bliss of the eternal self? Thus, O twice-born, Yudhishthira, having heard the wondrous deeds of Krishna, again questioned Suka, his mind absorbed in that sacred narrative. The king asked, “O Brahman, how could that which was done by Hari in childhood be sung by the boys in their youth, when it happened in a different time? O great yogi, O revered teacher, please tell me of this supreme wonder; surely, this is nothing but the work of Hari’s māyā—there is no other explanation.