After Narada Muni had offered his wise counsel, he, accompanied by Tumburu, ascended once more to the heavens. Yudhishthira, the eldest of the Pandavas, held Narada’s words close within his heart, and in doing so, released the burden of his sorrow. Even as his mind settled, Yudhishthira marveled at the wondrous events that had unfolded in the land of Vraja. He reflected: “What is this astonishing thing? In Vasudeva, the Soul of all, a love never seen before continues to grow among the people of Vraja and their children.” In that sacred land, where the unconquered Lord resided, a remarkable peace prevailed—natural enemies such as men and wild beasts lived together as friends. Swift deer and other creatures roamed freely, unharmed, in the presence of the Lord. There, the Supreme Lord—non-dual, infinite, and whose knowledge none can fathom—enacted His childhood pastimes as a cowherd boy. He wandered, searching for His calves and companions, a morsel of food held playfully in His hand, just as He had done before. In this innocent form, He was beheld by Brahma, the creator himself. Upon seeing the Lord, Brahma quickly descended from his celestial vehicle. He prostrated himself upon the earth, as if casting down a golden staff, and with the crowns of his four heads, he touched the Lord’s two feet. Overcome with joy, Brahma’s tears streamed forth, performing an abhisheka of love and reverence. Again and again, Brahma rose and fell at Krishna’s feet, overwhelmed by the greatness he had witnessed before. Finally, rising slowly and wiping his eyes, his neck bowed in humility, Brahma gazed intently upon Mukunda. With joined palms, trembling and composed, he spoke in a choked voice, his words flowing through tears of devotion. Meanwhile, Sūta Gosvami continued the tale: When Arjuna departed for Dvārakā, he longed to see his relatives and to learn of the deeds of the illustrious Krishna. Yet, as the months passed and Arjuna did not return, ominous signs of dreadful import began to appear. Yudhishthira observed the fierce march of Time, the reversal of the natural order, and a decline in the conduct of people, who were now driven by anger, greed, and falsehood. Interactions became twisted; friendships were laced with deceit, and quarrels broke out among fathers, mothers, friends, brothers, and even married couples. As these dire omens grew more frequent, Yudhishthira, seeing the rise of greed and unrighteousness among the people, spoke to his younger brother. He said, “Arjuna was sent to Dvārakā, longing for news of our kin and the deeds of Krishna. Now seven months have passed, and your younger brother Bhīmasena has not returned. I do not know the reason for this delay.” He wondered aloud, “Has the time foretold by the divine sage now arrived, when the Lord intends to relinquish His earthly pastimes? By His grace, we gained wealth, kingdom, wives, life, family, subjects, victory over our enemies, and even the worlds themselves.” Yudhishthira pointed out the terrible omens: “See these portents, O tiger among men—celestial, terrestrial, and bodily—terrible and confusing, filling us with fear. My thighs, eyes, and arms tremble repeatedly, and my heart is unsteady. Surely, something inauspicious approaches.” He described the unnatural signs: “The she-jackal, with fiery mouth, howls at the rising sun. This dog cries at me as if in fear. Animals circle me on both sides, and even my horses weep. A pigeon, messenger of death, and the owl, unsettle my mind, while the screeching of the night-owl portends sleeplessness and emptiness. The quarters are filled with smoke, the horizons and mountains tremble, and there are great thunderclaps with lightning.” “The wind is harsh, scattering dust and darkness. Blood rains from the clouds in a dreadful manner. The sun’s brilliance is dimmed, the planets collide in the sky, and the heavens blaze with strange beings. Rivers and streams are agitated, as are the lakes and people’s minds. Even fire, fed with ghee, refuses to blaze. What will this time bring?” He continued, “Calves do not drink from their mothers, nor do cows yield milk; the cows, with tearful faces, cry, and the bulls are joyless. The deities themselves seem to weep, sweat, and tremble. Towns, villages, gardens, lakes, and hermitages have lost their splendor and joy. What misfortune do these portents foretell?” Yudhishthira concluded, “By these great omens, I believe the earth has been deprived of the feet of the Lord, and of those unique souls who share in His fortune, and thus has lost her prosperity.” While Yudhishthira pondered these signs, his mind disturbed, Arjuna—whose banner bore the image of Hanuman—returned at last from the city of the Yadus. But Arjuna’s demeanor was not as before; he fell at Yudhishthira’s feet, his face lowered, tears dropping from his eyes. Seeing his brother thus distressed and changed, Yudhishthira questioned him in the midst of their friends, recalling the words of Narada. He asked, “Are our relatives in Anarta—Madhus, Bhojas, Dasharhas, Ahukas, Satvatas, Andhakas, and Vrishnis—well? Is Shura, our maternal grandfather, and his wife safe? Is our uncle Anakadundubhi and his brothers unharmed?” He continued, “Are the seven sisters, their husbands, our other maternal uncles and their sons, and their daughters-in-law, led by Devaki herself, all well? Is King Ahuka alive, and his son and brother? Is Hridika with his son, Akrura, Jayanta, Gada, and Sarana safe? Are Shatrujit and the others unharmed? Is Rama, Lord of the Satvatas, living happily?” “Is Pradyumna, the great chariot-warrior of the Vrishnis, well? Is Aniruddha, passionate and blessed, thriving? Are Sushena, Charudesha, Samba—the son of Jambavati—and the other foremost Karsnis, with their sons such as Rishabha, all well? And what of the followers of Shauri—Shrutadeva, Uddhava, Sunanda, Nanda, Shirishanya, and the other chief Satvatas?” “Are all those who rely on the arms of Rama and Krishna safe? Do those bound by friendship remember our welfare?” Thus, Yudhishthira, his heart full of concern and foreboding, questioned Arjuna, hoping for tidings of their kin and the beloved Lord.