As the great battle raged, Arjuna stood amidst the opposing army, his heart troubled by the prospect of killing his own kin. Overcome by doubt and a sense of fault, he hesitated, turning away from the fight. It was then that Krishna, his charioteer and friend, dispelled Arjuna’s confusion by imparting the sacred knowledge of the Self. May I always hold supreme devotion to the lotus feet of that Lord. In the heat of battle, Krishna abandoned His own vow to fulfill mine. He leapt from the chariot, His upper garment slipping from His shoulder, and rushed forward, whip in hand, like Hari charging to slay an elephant. As sharp arrows pierced me, shattering my bow and soaking my body in blood, the aggressor advanced to kill me. In that moment, may Lord Mukunda be my refuge. At the time of death, may my devotion be fixed upon that Lord, whose radiant beauty was revealed as He stood on Arjuna’s chariot, holding the reins and whip. Those who fell on the battlefield, upon seeing Him, attained their true form. The cowherd women of Vraja, graceful in their movements and charming in their laughter, absorbed in His playful acts, imitated Him with loving glances and feigned anger, blinded and maddened by love, for they were immersed in His very nature. In the royal assembly at Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rājasūya sacrifice, surrounded by sages and kings, Krishna alone was deemed worthy of worship and appeared before my eyes, revealing His true self to me. I have now realized that Unborn One, dwelling in the hearts of all beings, conceived differently by each according to their mind—just as the single sun appears manifold in countless reflections. Thus, my delusion of difference has been dispelled. Sūta continued: Fixing his mind, speech, and sight upon Lord Krishna, and absorbing his self in the Supreme Self, Bhīṣma drew in his breath and became still. Recognizing that Bhīṣma was merging into the indivisible Brahman, all present fell silent, like birds at the close of day. In that solemn moment, drums resounded, played by gods and humans alike. The virtuous praised Bhīṣma, and showers of flowers rained down from the sky upon the king. After Bhīṣma’s passing, Yudhiṣṭhira, son of Bhārgava, performed the proper rites for the departed, yet remained deeply sorrowful for a time. The delighted sages praised Krishna with secret names, their hearts devoted to Him, and then returned to their own hermitages. Yudhiṣṭhira, accompanied by Krishna, went to Gajāhvaya to comfort his father and the ascetic Gāndhārī. With his father’s approval and Krishna’s consent, the mighty king ruled the kingdom righteously, as inherited from his father and grandfather. The mother of heroes, with milk flowing from her breasts and auspicious tears streaming from her eyes, repeatedly anointed her son. The people said to the queen, “By good fortune, your son, the remover of distress, has returned after long absence and will protect the circle of the earth.” They added, “Surely, O queen, you have worshipped the Lord, the remover of the distressed, for those who meditate on Him with steady mind conquer even death, which is so hard to overcome.” Cherished by the people and his brothers, the joyful king mounted the elephant and, praised by all, entered the city. At every entrance, splendid makara-archways, clusters of banana trunks, and heaps of betel nuts were beautifully arranged. Each gateway was adorned with pitchers of water with lamps, garlands of young mango leaves, and strings of pearls hanging down. The city was decorated on all sides with ramparts, gateways, and houses adorned with golden ornaments and shining spires. Courtyards, streets, and crossroads were clean and sprinkled with sandal paste, and offerings of parched rice, unbroken grains, flowers, fruits, and rice were everywhere. As the steadfast king passed along the road, city women at various places brought auspicious items—rice, unbroken grains, curd, water, sacred grass, flowers, and fruits. Out of affection, the virtuous women offered their blessings as he entered his father’s palace, their sweet, childish songs filling the air. In that splendid palace, adorned with clusters of great jewels, he was cherished exceedingly by his father and dwelled there like a god in heaven. The beds were white as milk foam, with golden ornaments; the seats were most precious, and all furnishings were made of gold. Crystal walls and great emeralds held jeweled lamps, adorned with gems from women’s ornaments. Delightful gardens with wondrous celestial trees abounded, filled with cooing pairs of birds and intoxicated bees singing. Ponds with steps of lapis lazuli were filled with lotuses, water lilies, and kumuda flowers, frequented by swans, cranes, and chakravaka ducks. King Uttānapāda, the royal sage, upon hearing and seeing his son’s extraordinary glory, was filled with the highest wonder. Seeing him grown, beloved by the people, and approved by the ministers, the king made Dhruva the lord of the earth. Realizing his own old age, the lord of men, detached, set out for the forest, contemplating the path of his soul. Śaunaka then asked: “O best of the righteous, after Yudhiṣṭhira killed the enemies who coveted his kingdom and wealth, and his meals were secured with his brothers, what did he do next? How did he proceed?” Sūta replied: Hari, the creator of the world, restored the Kuru dynasty, which had been destroyed by the fire of its own descendants. Having established Yudhiṣṭhira in his own kingdom, Hari was pleased at heart. Having heard the words of Bhīṣma and Acyuta, and with his doubts dispelled by true knowledge, Yudhiṣṭhira ruled the earth, supported by the unconquered, like Indra, with his brothers following him. The clouds rained as desired, the earth yielded all that was wished for, and the cows joyfully drenched the villages with abundant milk. Rivers, oceans, mountains, forests, and all the herbs produced their fruits as desired for him. No ailments, diseases, or troubles—whether from fate, other beings, or oneself—ever afflicted the creatures during the reign of the king whose enemy was never born. Hari, having stayed for a few months in Hastināpura, brought joy to his friends and pleased his beloved sister. After taking leave and being permitted, Krishna embraced and bowed to them, then ascended his chariot, honored and embraced by some. Thus, the reign of Yudhiṣṭhira, blessed by Krishna’s presence, brought peace, prosperity, and joy to all.