Hearing the wishes of the Yadus, Krishna spoke with gentle authority: “This peerless jewel, the assembly hall named Sudharma, is fit for kings; let the Yadus sit within it.” Obeying Krishna’s command, the wind-god Vayu went at once to the lord of Shachi, Indra himself, and conveyed all that had transpired. Pleased, Purandara, king of the gods, granted Sudharma, the celestial assembly hall, to Vayu. Thus, the foremost among the Yadus came to enjoy the divine hall, brought by Vayu and shining with every kind of jewel, all under the protection of Govinda’s mighty arm. In that sacred place, Krishna and Balarama, the two illustrious Yadus, revealed to all the tradition of teacher and disciple, displaying the proper ways of learning and instruction. Desiring to deepen their wisdom, the two heroes, Baladeva and Janardana, journeyed to the city of Avanti, in Kashi, to the house of the renowned sage Sandipani, seeking to learn the science of weapons. Humbly, they became his disciples, devoted to their teacher, and by their conduct set an example before all people. In just sixty-four days and nights, they mastered the entire secret lore of archery and weaponry, including all its branches—a feat so wondrous that Sandipani, reflecting on their deeds beyond human capacity, thought of them as the very moon and sun descended to earth. Having received the full knowledge of arms as instructed, Krishna and Balarama respectfully asked their teacher, “Please, choose what you wish as your teacher’s fee.” Recognizing their superhuman powers, the wise Sandipani requested the return of his beloved son, who had perished at Prabhasa in the salt ocean. Armed with their new knowledge, the two brothers approached the great ocean, offering precious gifts, and asked, “Sandipani’s son was not slain by me. Where is he?” The ocean replied, “A demon named Panchajana, taking the form of a conch, seized the boy in these waters, O slayer of demons. He is there.” Thus informed, Krishna entered the waters, slew the wicked Panchajana, and took from his bones an excellent conch. The sound of this conch, Pāñcajanya, diminished the strength of demons, increased the brilliance of the gods, and destroyed unrighteousness. Filling the conch with his power, Hari, together with mighty Baladeva, journeyed to the city of Yama, conquering even Yama, the son of Vivasvat. There, Krishna, foremost among the strong, restored Sandipani’s son, who was suffering as before in his previous body, and returned him to his father. Overjoyed, Rama and Janardana, along with men and women, returned once again to Mathura, now ruled by Ugrasena. Meanwhile, O Maitreya, Kamsa, son of Jarasandha, had married Asti and Prapti. For both of them, Hari became the slayer of their husband. Enraged by Kamsa’s death, Jarasandha, the mighty king of Magadha, gathered a host of powerful warriors and marched against the Yadavas, intent on their destruction. Arriving at Mathura, the lord of Magadha besieged the city with twenty-three divisions of his army. Yet Rama and Janardana, with only a small retinue, went forth and fought valiantly against his mighty warriors. Realizing the need for greater power, Bala and Krishna resolved to obtain the ancient celestial weapons. Instantly, inexhaustible quivers, the bow Shārnga of Hari, and the mace Kaumodaki descended from the sky. Likewise, the plough of Balabhadra and the Saunanda pestle, desired in their minds, came down from the heavens. Armed with these divine weapons, Rama and Janardana defeated the king of Magadha and his vast army in battle, and entered the city victorious. Yet, though Jarasandha survived, Krishna did not consider him truly conquered, for his wickedness remained. Again and again, Jarasandha returned with his forces, but each time, Rama and Krishna defeated him, and he retreated. In all, Jarasandha, proud and arrogant, fought the Yadus in eighteen battles, but in each, though his strength was superior, he was bested by the Yadavas and escaped with only a few soldiers. O Bala, whatever victories the Yadavas gained over him, time after time, were due solely to the presence and greatness of Vishnu, the wielder of the discus. Such is the sport of the Lord of the world, who, though moving among men, releases weapons of many forms against his enemies. He who creates and destroys the world by mind alone—what need has he for elaborate effort in vanquishing his foes? Yet, he follows the dharma of human beings: making alliances with the powerful, waging war with the weak, employing conciliation and gifts, sowing division, inflicting punishment, and sometimes retreating. Thus, by following the ways of embodied humans, the play of the Lord of the universe unfolds according to his will. In another time, as the wise Mucukunda praised Hari, Lord eternal and master of all beings, the Blessed One spoke: “Go, O king, to the divine worlds as you desire, endowed with unobstructed supreme sovereignty, increased by my grace. Having enjoyed great celestial pleasures, you will be born in a noble family, retaining memory of your past lives by my grace, and then you will attain liberation.” Thus addressed, the king bowed to the infallible Lord of the worlds and, emerging from the mouth of the cave, saw men who ate little. Realizing that the Kali age had arrived, the king set out to perform austerities and journeyed to Gandhamādana, the sacred abode of Nara and Nārāyaṇa.