When Vasudeva heard that Hari had departed from his mortal body, he too let go of his own life. Having purified himself and fixed his mind in deep meditation upon the glorious Lady of the Worlds, he left this earth. Grief-stricken, Arjuna journeyed to Prabhasa, where he performed the proper funeral rites for all those who had passed. Afterward, Arjuna examined the body of Hari. With a heavy heart, he gathered a pile of wood, and, together with Hari’s eight wives, set the pyre alight. He also performed the cremation of Rāma along with Revati, consigning them both to the sacred fire. With these final rites complete, Arjuna traveled to Dvārakā to lead its people away from the city. Soon after, the ocean rose and flooded the city of Vāsudeva. Arjuna, having gathered all the people, departed from the inundated city. But misfortune followed them on their journey: thieves and cowherds attacked, plundering Kṛṣṇa’s wives and seizing all their wealth. Arjuna, once so mighty, found himself powerless to stop them. At last, they reached Indraprastha. There, Arjuna installed Vajra, the son of Aniruddha, as king, for his own strength had waned. Burdened by sorrow, Arjuna sought out the sage Vyāsa and told him of his grief. The great chariot-warrior was comforted by Vyāsa, who told him, “When Hari and you are born again, O wise one, your energy will once more be exceedingly great in the next age.” Consoled by these words, Pārtha set out for Nāgapura. Still afflicted, Arjuna went to King Yudhiṣṭhira and recounted all that had transpired—the death of Hari and the destruction of the Yādavas. Hearing this, the king resolved to renounce the world. He installed his grandson, the son of Uttarā, on the throne and prepared to leave for the golden mountain after ruling for thirty-six years. Yudhiṣṭhira, with Draupadī and his brothers, departed for the forest, having ruled Hastināpura for thirty-six years. When they reached the Himalayas, the six sons of Pṛthā gave up their lives, and Parīkṣit, the royal sage, righteously protected the people. Parīkṣit ruled tirelessly for sixty years. He became fond of hunting and one day entered the great forest. While searching for a wounded deer at midday, the son of Uttarā grew thirsty, exhausted, and hungry. Oppressed by the heat, he saw a sage nearby, deeply absorbed in meditation. The wise king approached and asked for water, but the sage remained silent, not replying. Tormented by thirst and his mind seized by the influence of Kali, the king picked up a dead snake with the tip of his bow and placed it on the sage’s neck. Even then, the excellent sage did not speak, remaining unmoved in his meditation. The king returned to his house. Meanwhile, the sage’s son—born of a cow and endowed with great austerity—was playing near the forest when his friends told him, “Your father now has a snake on his neck.” Hearing this, he became extremely angry. Enraged, he took water in his hand and uttered a curse: “The man who placed a dead snake on my father’s neck—Takshaka will bite that sinful man within seven nights.” One of the sage’s disciples soon approached King Parīkṣit and informed him of the curse. Hearing that the curse had come from a brahmin, the son of Abhimanyu understood that it was unavoidable. He addressed his elder ministers, saying, “I have been cursed by a brahmin, surely out of enmity. What should I do, O ministers? Consider what means may be taken. For death, they say, is inevitable according to the Vedic teachers. Still, wise men must always make the effort prescribed by scripture. Some thinkers say that means should be sought.” He continued, “With proper means, tasks are accomplished, not otherwise. The powers of jewels, mantras, and herbs are indeed mysterious. If nothing can be done by those who possess well-prepared jewels, then how was it that a sage’s wife, once bitten by a snake and dead, returned to life? That celestial nymph was revived by the sage, who gave half his own life. Yet, when fate is strong, even the wise should not trust in their own effort.” “Let the ministers see this example for themselves. Is there anyone in heaven or on earth who escapes fate? Fixing his mind on destiny, one should remain without effort; or, becoming detached, a mendicant goes everywhere for alms. In the houses of householders, whether invited or not, whatever comes by chance or is placed in the mouth—how could food enter the stomach without effort? Effort must be made, for if success does not come, then one should rely on destiny, so say the wise.” The ministers then asked, “Which sage revived his beloved by giving half his life? How did she die, O great king? Tell us this in detail.” The king replied, “The wife of Bhrigu, beautiful and of lovely form, was named Puloma. From her was born the renowned sage Cyavana. Cyavana’s daughter by Sharyati was the beautiful Sukanya. From her was born a famous and prosperous son named Pramati. Pramati’s beloved wife was the renowned Pratapi. A son named Ruru was born to them, a supreme ascetic. At that time, there was also a renowned sage named Sthulakesha, devoted to austerity, righteousness, and esteemed for his truthfulness.