With the last traces of illusion and its qualities destroyed, the great soul sat unmoving, like a pillar—his senses and mind fully restrained, having renounced all food and all actions. Let there be no obstacle for him, who has given up everything of this world. Narada then spoke, “O King, from this very day, in five days’ time, he will abandon his body, which will be reduced to ashes. As her husband’s body burns in the fire, his faithful wife, together with her brother-in-law, will stand outside, watching as he enters the flames.” Hearing this astonishing prophecy, O descendant of the Kurus, Vidura was filled with both joy and sorrow. With a heavy but resolute heart, he departed to visit holy places. Having spoken these words, Narada, accompanied by Tumburu, ascended to heaven. Yudhishthira treasured Narada’s message in his heart and relinquished his grief. He pondered in wonder: “What is this, so marvelous, that in Vasudeva—the Soul of all—unprecedented love is blossoming among the people of Vraja and their children?” In that sacred land, where the unconquered Lord dwelt, even natural enemies—men and beasts—lived together like friends. Swift deer and other creatures roamed in harmony, for the Lord Himself resided there. There, the Supreme, non-dual, infinite Lord—whose knowledge is unfathomable—enacted His childhood pastimes as a cowherd boy. He searched for calves and friends, holding a morsel of food in His hand, just as before, and Brahma, the creator, beheld Him. Upon seeing the Lord, Brahma quickly descended from his celestial vehicle. He bowed low to the earth, as if casting down a golden staff, and with the crowns of his four heads, he touched the Lord’s two feet. Tears of joy streamed from his eyes, and he performed an abhisheka, bathing Krishna’s feet with his devotion. Rising again and again, Brahma fell at Krishna’s feet, overwhelmed by the greatness he had witnessed before, and then sat, recalling those wondrous events. Slowly, Brahma rose, wiped his eyes, and with his neck bowed, gazed upon Mukunda. With joined palms, full of humility and composure, trembling and speaking in a choked, tearful voice, he offered his reverence to the Lord. Meanwhile, Sūta continued: When Arjuna departed for Dvārakā, longing to see his relatives and to learn of the deeds of the illustrious Krishna, several months passed. Yet Arjuna did not return. Then, O best of the Kurus, ominous and dreadful signs began to appear. Yudhishthira observed the fierce march of Time, the reversal of natural order, and the decline in people’s conduct—now driven by anger, greed, and falsehood. Dealings became crooked, friendships tainted with deceit, and quarrels erupted among fathers and mothers, friends, brothers, and even married couples. As these dire omens appeared, and as Time’s influence grew among people, the king, seeing the rise of greed and unrighteousness, spoke to his younger brother. “Arjuna was sent to Dvārakā,” Yudhishthira said, “longing to see our relatives and to learn of Krishna’s deeds. Now seven months have passed, and your younger brother Bhīmasena has not returned; for what reason, I do not know at all. Has the time foretold by the divine sage now arrived, when the Lord intends to relinquish His earthly play? For by His grace we obtained wealth, kingdom, wives, life, family, subjects, victory over enemies, and even the worlds. “See these portents, O tiger among men—celestial, terrestrial, and bodily—terrible and ominous, appearing nearby, filling us with fear and confusion. My thighs, eyes, and arms tremble again and again, and my heart is unsteady; surely, something inauspicious is approaching. “The she-jackal, with fiery mouth, howls at the rising sun; and, O dear one, this dog cries at me as if afraid. Animals circle me on the left and right, and, O best of men, I see my horses weeping. This pigeon, a messenger of death, and the owl, unsettling my mind, and the screeching of the night-owl—all these portend sleeplessness and emptiness. “The quarters are filled with smoke, the horizons tremble along with the mountains, and, O dear one, there are great thunderclaps together with lightning. The wind blows harshly, scattering dust and darkness; the clouds rain blood everywhere, in a most dreadful manner. “See the sun, its brilliance dimmed, and the planets colliding in the sky, while the heavens seem ablaze and crowded with strange beings. The rivers and streams are agitated, the lakes and minds as well; the fire does not blaze even with ghee. What will this time bring? “Calves do not drink from their mothers’ udders, nor do the cows yield milk; the cows, with tearful faces, cry, and the bulls in the herd do not rejoice. The deities seem to weep, sweat, and tremble; these towns, villages, gardens, lakes, and hermitages have lost their splendor and joy. What misfortune are they showing us? “I think, by these great omens, surely the earth has been deprived of the feet of the Lord, and of those unique persons endowed with His fortune, and has lost its prosperity.” While Yudhishthira reflected thus, his mind disturbed by these portents, O Brahman, the one with the monkey-banner—Arjuna—returned from the city of the Yadus. Arjuna approached, but unlike before, he fell at Yudhishthira’s feet, his face lowered, distressed, shedding tears from the lotus of his eyes. Seeing his brother’s troubled heart and changed appearance, the king questioned him in the midst of friends, recalling Narada’s words: “Are our relatives in Anarta city living happily—the Madhus, Bhojas, Dasharhas, Ahukas, Satvatas, Andhakas, and Vrishnis? Is Shura, our maternal grandfather, well, and is his wife also well? Is our uncle, Anakadundubhi, along with his younger brothers, safe? Are the seven sisters, their husbands, other maternal uncles with their sons, and their daughters-in-law, led by Devaki herself, all well? Is King Ahuka alive, and his wicked son and younger brother? Is Hridika with his son, Akrura, Jayanta, Gada, and Sarana well? Are those like Shatrujit and others safe? Is Rama, the Lord of the Satvatas, living happily?” Thus, with a heart full of concern and foreboding, Yudhishthira questioned Arjuna, yearning to know the fate of their kin and the beloved Lord.