Because fate had kept them apart, Krishna and Balarama expressed with gentle sorrow that they had not been able to dwell near their parents and enjoy the happiness that children, cherished in their father’s house, usually receive. They reflected that even if a person were to live for a hundred years, he could never fully repay his parents, from whom his very body—source of all achievements—was born and nourished. They spoke of the serious duty of a son: if one, though able in both body and wealth, fails to provide for his parents, then after death he is forced to eat his own flesh. One who, though capable, neglects his aged mother and father, his virtuous wife, young child, teacher, a brāhmaṇa, or someone who has sought refuge, is no better than dead, though he still lives. The brothers lamented that, because their minds were always anxious due to the oppression of Kaṁsa, these precious days had passed in vain, without their being able to worship the feet of their parents. Therefore, they pleaded, “O Father and Mother, please forgive us. We were helpless, much afflicted by a cruel-hearted man, and could not serve you as we should.” Śuka then narrated: By the sweet and humble words of Hari, the Soul of the universe, who had assumed a human form through his own divine power, Krishna’s parents were lovingly deluded. Lifting Krishna onto their laps and embracing him, they were overwhelmed with joy. Tears streamed from their eyes, and the bonds of affection choked their speech; their minds were bewildered, and they could say nothing, so great was their emotion. Having thus comforted his parents, Krishna, the son of Devakī, installed his maternal grandfather, Ugrasena, as king over the Yadus. He said, “O great king, you should command us and the people, for by Yayāti’s curse, the Yadus are not to sit on the royal throne. When I, your servant, am present, even the gods and others bow down and offer tribute—what then of other human kings?” All the Yadus, Vrishnis, Andhakas, Madhus, Dasharhas, Kukuras, and others—Krishna’s own kin—who had been distressed from every direction by fear of Kaṁsa, were honored by Krishna. He comforted those who had been wearied by exile in foreign lands and settled them in their own homes, generously providing them with wealth. Protected by the strong arms of Krishna and Sankarshana, their cherished wishes fulfilled, they lived happily, freed from all distress. Day after day, the people delighted in gazing upon the lotus-like face of Mukunda, always radiant, beautiful, and beaming with a compassionate smile. Even the elders, repeatedly drinking with their eyes the nectar of Mukunda’s lotus face, appeared youthful and full of great vigor. Then, Krishna, son of Devakī, along with Sankarshana, approached Nanda and warmly embraced him, saying, “By you, our affectionate father, we were cherished and deeply cared for. Indeed, parents have even greater love for their children than for themselves. That father and mother who nurture children abandoned by relatives and unable to care for themselves do so as if those children were their own sons. Please, father, return to Vraja; we will come to see you and our dear relatives, who are pained by affection, after ensuring the happiness of our friends here.” Thus consoling Nanda and the people of Vraja, Achyuta honored them with clothing, ornaments, vessels, and other gifts. Overwhelmed with affection, Nanda embraced Krishna and Balarama, his eyes brimming with tears, and departed for Vraja with the cowherds. Afterward, Vasudeva, the son of Sura, arranged for the sacred thread ceremony of his two sons, performed by priests and brāhmaṇas according to tradition. He gifted them cows adorned with gold necklaces, well-decorated, with calves and draped in fine cloth, honoring the priests with similar gifts. The cows which wise Vasudeva had mentally dedicated at the birth of Krishna and Rama—though Kamsa had unlawfully taken them—he now gave, remembering his earlier vow. Having received their initiation and attained the status of twice-born, Krishna and Balarama undertook the vow of study under Garga and other family preceptors. Though they are the source of all knowledge, all-knowing, and Lords of the universe, they concealed their flawless wisdom, behaving as ordinary humans. Desiring to reside in a teacher’s house, they approached Sandipani of Kashi, who lived in Avanti. With self-control, they properly approached their teacher and served him blamelessly, learning from him with devotion, as if he were a god. Pleased by their pure and devoted conduct, Sandipani, the foremost of the twice-born, instructed them in all the Vedas, their branches, and the Upanishads. He also taught them the secret Dhanurveda, the principles of righteousness and justice, the science of reasoning, and the sixfold science of royal governance. Krishna and Balarama, the best among men and initiators of all knowledge, comprehended everything at once, merely from a single utterance. In just sixty-four days and nights, they mastered all these arts. Then, as their teacher’s fee, they asked Sandipani what he desired. Amazed by their superhuman intelligence, Sandipani, after consulting with his wife, requested the return of his son, who had died at Prabhasa in the great ocean. Agreeing, Krishna and Balarama ascended their great chariot, reached Prabhasa, and approached the shore. The ocean, recognizing them, brought offerings of respect. The Lord spoke, “O Ocean, quickly give the son who was swallowed here by you, seized by a great wave.” The Ocean replied, “O Lord, I did not take him; the great demon Panchajana, who dwells in these waters in the form of a conch, seized him, O Krishna.” Hearing this, Krishna swiftly entered the water, slew that being, but did not find the boy within its belly. Taking the conch that had arisen from its body, he returned to his chariot and went to the city called Samyamani, beloved of Yama. There, Janardana, together with his weapons, sounded the conch; hearing its loud blast, Yama, the restrainer of beings, took notice.