Śrī Parāśara continued his narration, describing how Kṛṣṇa, accompanied by his elder brother Baladeva, accomplished the destruction of the demonic forces and, for the welfare of the world, rid the earth of wicked kings. Together with Arjuna, known as Phālguṇa, the Lord brought down mighty armies, thus relieving the earth of its heavy burden. Once this task was complete and the oppressive kings were slain, Kṛṣṇa understood that the time had come for his own lineage to come to an end, fulfilling a curse pronounced by the Brāhmaṇas. Abandoning the city of Dvārakā, Kṛṣṇa relinquished his human form and, O sage, returned to his own divine abode, which is pervaded by the essence of Viṣṇu. At this, Maitreya inquired: "How, by the curse of the Brāhmaṇas, did Kṛṣṇa bring about the destruction of his own family? And in what manner did Janārdana forsake his mortal body?" Śrī Parāśara replied: At the sacred site of Piṇḍāraka, the sons of the Yadu dynasty encountered the great sages Viśvāmitra, Kaṇva, and Nārada. Overcome by the folly of youth and impelled by destiny, the young men of the Yadu clan dressed Sāmba, son of Jāmbavatī, as a woman. Approaching the sages with feigned humility and prostration, they asked, “This woman desires a son. Tell us, O sages, what will she bear?” The sages, endowed with divine vision but angered by the deceit, pronounced, “She will give birth to a pestle.” They declared further that this pestle would become the cause of the destruction of the entire Yādava lineage. Hearing this, the young men truthfully reported all that had transpired to Ugrasena. In due course, a pestle was indeed born from Sāmba’s womb. Ugrasena ordered that the pestle be ground into powder, and the remnants were cast into the ocean. Yet, a fragment of the iron pestle, shaped like a spear-head, remained. This too was thrown into the sea, where it was swallowed by a fish. When the fish was caught and killed, a hunter found the iron piece in its belly. Though Lord Madhusūdana knew all that was to come, he did not wish to act against the decree of destiny. At this time, a messenger of the gods—the wind itself—approached Kṛṣṇa, bowed, and spoke in secret: “I am sent by the gods, O Lord. Along with the Vasus, Aśvins, Maruts, Ādityas, Rudras, Sādhyas, and others, Śakra sends you this message: For over a hundred years, you have dwelt on earth at the gods’ behest, to relieve the burden of the world. The wicked Daityas are slain, and the earth’s weight is lifted by your deeds. Now, may the gods, freed from danger, dwell happily in heaven. O Lord of the universe, more than a hundred years have passed; if it pleases you, ascend now to the heavenly realms. Remain here only as long as you desire, along with those who seek your protection.” The Blessed Lord replied, “All you have spoken, O messenger, I know well. The destruction of the Yadavas is already set in motion. Yet, the burden of the earth remains, for the Yadavas themselves have not been diminished. Within seven nights, I shall relieve this burden. Just as I raised Dvārakā from the ocean and established it on land, so too, after withdrawing the Yadavas, I shall depart for the abode of the gods. Casting off my human form, and accompanied by Sankarshana, I shall arrive among the immortals. Though Jarasandha and others have been slain, the Yadu race has not lessened, not even by a single child. Therefore, after removing this great burden, I shall go to the realm of the immortals for its protection. Convey this to the gods.” Having received this command, the divine messenger bowed to Vasudeva and departed with celestial speed to the king of the gods. Thereafter, the Blessed Lord observed, both by day and night, terrible omens appearing on earth, in the sky, and in Dvārakā—signs heralding destruction. Seeing these, he addressed the Yadavas: “Behold these dreadful omens. For your welfare, let us go at once to Prabhāsa.” When Kṛṣṇa had spoken thus, Uddhava, the foremost among the Yadavas and a great devotee, bowed and addressed Hari: “O Lord, instruct me now as to what I must do. I sense that the Blessed One will soon withdraw this entire lineage. I see the signs portending the destruction of this clan.” The Blessed Lord replied, “Go, by the divine path that arises from my grace, to the holy hermitage of Badarī on Mount Gandhamadana, the sacred place where Nara and Nārāyaṇa dwell. With your mind fixed on me and by my grace, you will attain perfection there. I shall ascend to heaven after withdrawing the clan. When I have abandoned Dvārakā, O Ocean, you will flood it; except for my own house, let all be submerged. Out of fear of me, the waters will spare it, for there I shall remain, wishing the welfare of my devotees.” Thus instructed, Uddhava bowed to Kṛṣṇa and swiftly departed for the forest of austerities, to the abode of Nara and Nārāyaṇa, with Keśava’s blessing. Then, all the Yādavas mounted their swift chariots and journeyed to Prabhāsa together with Kṛṣṇa, Rāma, and the others. Upon their arrival, the Kukuras, Āndhakas, and Vṛṣṇis, urged by Vāsudeva, engaged in great revelry and drinking. Amidst their intoxication, a quarrel arose from mutual contention; excessive boasting fanned the flames of conflict, and thus began the destruction of the Yādava race.