Simply by beholding those two divine ones, the realm of Yama, the lord of death, could not be seen—even by someone guilty of the gravest sin, such as the slaying of a Brahmin. Such was their glory: descended in the illustrious Yadu lineage, they possessed radiant, celestial forms and a splendor that dazzled the world. These were the very heroes who had vanquished the wicked Kaṃsa and the mighty Cāṇūra, restoring righteousness by installing Ugrasena upon the throne. In the aftermath of these deeds, a plea arose: "Tell me, what should I do for you, now that your son has been killed?" With faith and reverence, another replied, "Everything will be accomplished, O Krishna, for nothing is difficult for you." Thus, Krishna was advised to journey to Ujjayinī, a sacred city, where he would attain mastery in knowledge. There, in a wondrous span of only sixty-four days and nights, they—Krishna and his brother—mastered the Vedas and all codes of conduct, holding the sacred teachings at the very tip of their tongues. Observing their brilliance, a sage reflected, "Surely, these two are like the moon and the sun come together." Soon after, a brahmin, accompanied by his disciples, entered the vast Kāla forest. At that same time, Rāma and Keśava (Krishna), together with their own disciples, also entered the forest. They all bowed in reverence before Mahākāla, the great lord, who then addressed Keśava with words of wisdom. Mahākāla spoke: "You always bring happiness to the virtuous and to those who are ignorant alike. All the kings, led by Kaṃsa, have been slain by you two; now, O sinless one, you must ensure the welfare of the sages, siddhas, gods, and all beings." Krishna replied humbly, "I will do that," and, offering his respects, took his leave. Such wondrous events left many in awe—who among them could believe such marvelous happenings? Then, as the two brothers embraced, a great sound arose, echoing through the air. One who witnessed this confessed, "I did not know that those two heroes were born in the Yadu and Vṛṣṇi lineages." Pleased with their devotion, Krishna and Rāma together asked their revered teacher, "What shall we give you for your sake?" The teacher replied, "I desire from you the return of my son who died in the salt ocean. During the pilgrimage at Prabhāsa, you must bring him here." Heeding this request, Krishna encountered the great demon Pañcajana, who had taken the form of a monstrous sea creature. Pañcajana spoke to him, but Krishna, mighty and resolute, slew the demon in that very form. With ease, he retrieved the boy from the abode of the lord of waters, still within the sea creature's form. Believing the boy had gone to the realm of Yama, Krishna then approached Varuṇa, the lord of the waters. Varuṇa recounted how, long ago, proud demons and Dānavas had been vanquished, and that a special chariot—entrusted to Varuṇa and upheld by the slayer of enemies—was now Krishna's to use. This chariot, given by gods and asuras, was unshakable in battle and had once enabled Varuṇa to see the boy after conquering the lord of the dead. Krishna, Hari himself, beheld the chariot, resplendent and adorned with jewels. It shone with wondrous forms and bore the banner of Garuda, the king of birds. Unconquerable by gods, demons, asuras, or rākṣasas, its four beautiful wheels gleamed with the brilliance of a thousand suns. Its tumultuous and formidable appearance was marked by the emblem of Garuda. After circling the chariot to the right and bowing to the deities, Janārdana, the abode of the worlds, swiftly ascended the chariot and journeyed to the realm of Yama. There, the wielder of the Śārṅga bow sounded his mighty conch. At that moment, the mortals dwelling in Naraka—those devoted to sinful conduct—found that their weapons became blunted and all forms of restraint lost their power. The fearsome forest of sword-leaves, known as Asipatravana, was stripped of its terrifying foliage. Even the dreadful realms of Bhairava, Abhairava, Kumbhīpāka, and Avācika were transformed by his presence.