Thousands of citizens, sages, and scholars turned up to greet Yudhisthira who became the king over a vast land. He ruled from Hastinapura with the help of his brothers. They followed the ideals of truth and justice most strictly.
"It has been a long time since I left my city Dwaraka. I should return there, for, my old parents must be longing to see me," Krishna told Yudhisthira one day.
Krishna had stood by the Pandavas through the most critical times in their lives. He had led them to victory. He had never murmured in the face of any difficulty nor had he ever missed his charming city on the sea. How could the Pandavas now dissuade him from returning home?
They bade him a tearful farewell. After the tumultuous decades, time appeared to be rolling away peacefully. Yudhisthira performed a great Yajna and that made him the king of kings, the Emperor of Bharata. Krishna was present on the occasion.
Krishna had defeated or destroyed the demons and the wicked kings who were his foes. Dwaraka was now a haven of happiness. The Yadavas-the members of Krishna's family- were enjoying the fruits of Krishna's labours and sacrifices. They were expected to devote themselves to higher pursuits of life. But, such is the nature of man that when he is safe and assured of peace and prosperity, he lets himself go the way his passions and desires take him.
That is what the Yadavas were doing. They became very proud of their position. They whiled away their time gambling, drinking, and quarrelling. Particularly arrogant and vain were the younger Yadavas. They became silly in their behaviour and disrespectful of elders and sages.
Krishna was Divine. He loved and helped those who nursed aspiration and devotion in their hearts. He was not attached to the Yadavas simply because they were his kin. He would not care for those who would choose to go astray.
One day, the great sages Viswamitra, Kanva, and Narada were on a visit to Dwaraka. As they entered the castle of Krishna, some of the Yadavas drew their attention to a veiled person who looked like a young lady big with child.
"O pious ones, will you please predict whether this lady will deliver a male child or a female?" they asked the sages, feigning humility.
