Having obtained celestial weapons, Krishna and Balarama approached the vast ocean with offerings of precious gifts. Standing before its mighty waves, they spoke: “Sandipani’s son was not slain by us.” The ocean, venerable and deep, responded, “A demon named Panchajana, taking the form of a conch, seized the boy within these waters. O slayer of demons, there you will find him.” Hearing this, Krishna plunged into the ocean’s depths. There, he confronted and slew the wicked Panchajana and retrieved from his remains an excellent conch. This conch, known as Pāñcajanya, held extraordinary power—its sound weakened the strength of demons, increased the brilliance of the gods, and destroyed unrighteousness. Taking up the conch and filling it with his divine breath, Hari, together with the mighty Baladeva, journeyed to the city of Yama, the lord of death. There, they overcame Yama, the son of Vivasvat, and restored Sandipani’s son—still enduring his previous suffering in his former body—to his father. Their mission fulfilled, Rama and Janardana, filled with joy and accompanied by men and women, returned to Mathura, now ruled by Ugrasena. O Maitreya, know that mighty Kamsa, son of Jarasandha, had wed Asti and Prapti, and Hari became the slayer of their husband. Enraged by Kamsa’s death, the powerful king of Magadha, Jarasandha, gathered a formidable host of warriors and marched against the Yadavas, intent on their destruction. Arriving at Mathura, Jarasandha besieged the city with twenty-three divisions of his army. Despite being accompanied by only a small retinue, Rama and Janardana went forth and fought valiantly, matching the might of Jarasandha’s warriors. Recognizing the need for greater strength, Bala and Krishna resolved to obtain the ancient weapons. Instantly, inexhaustible quivers, Krishna’s bow Shārnga, and the mighty mace Kaumodaki descended from the sky. Likewise, the plough of Balabhadra and the Saunanda pestle, desired by their minds, also appeared from the heavens. Armed with these divine weapons, Rama and Janardana defeated Jarasandha and his army in battle and re-entered Mathura in triumph. Yet, though Jarasandha survived, Krishna did not consider him truly conquered, for his wickedness endured. Again and again, Jarasandha returned with his forces, but each time he was defeated by Rama and Krishna and forced to withdraw. In this way, the arrogant king of Magadha fought the Yadavas in eighteen battles. Though he possessed superior strength, in every encounter he was vanquished by the Yadavas, escaping only with a remnant of his army. O Bala, understand that the Yadavas’ victories were due to the presence and greatness of Vishnu, the wielder of the discus. Such is the divine play of the Lord of the world, who, though acting as a human, unleashes weapons of many forms against his foes. He who creates and destroys the universe with a mere thought—what need has he for such exertion in vanquishing enemies? Yet, abiding by the dharma of human conduct, he forms alliances with the strong, wages war with the weak, employs conciliation and gifts, sows division, punishes, and sometimes retreats. Thus, by following the ways of embodied beings, the Lord’s play unfolds according to his will. At another time, O Maitreya, the wise king Mucukunda praised Lord Hari, the eternal master of all beings. The Blessed Lord addressed him: “Go, O king, to the divine worlds as you desire, endowed with supreme sovereignty, unobstructed and 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 and, emerging from the cave, saw men who ate little—a sign that the age of Kali had arrived. Realizing this, Mucukunda set out to perform austerities and went to Gandhamādana, the sacred abode of Nara and Nārāyaṇa. Meanwhile, Krishna, having destroyed the enemy’s forces by strategy, entered Mathura and took possession of splendid elephants, horses, and chariots. He brought these treasures to Ugrasena at Dvārakā, and the Yadu clan no longer feared being overpowered. Baladeva, his conflicts settled, yearned to see his kinsmen and journeyed to Nandagokula. There, the cowherds and cowherd women greeted him with great honor and affection, as before. Baladeva embraced some and was embraced by others; he joked and laughed with the cowherds and the women of the village. The cowherds spoke many loving words to Baladeva. The cowherd women, some with gentle reproach, others with jealousy, addressed him as well: “Does fickle-hearted Krishna dwell happily? Does he, mocking our actions, now grant greater fortune and honor to the city women, though his friendship with them is fleeting? Does Krishna remember our singing and dancing? Will he ever come, even once, to see his mother?” Then, with a sigh, they added, “But why speak of such matters? Let us talk of other things. For just as we are without him, so he will be without us.