This chapter describes how Lord Krishna entered the city of Mathura, killed a washerman and bestowed benedictions upon a weaver and a garland-maker named Sudama.

After showing His Vishnu form to Akrura in the waters of the Yamuna and receiving Akrura's prayers, Lord Krishna withdrew that vision just as an actor winds up his performance. Akrura emerged from the water and in great amazement approached the Lord, who asked him whether he had seen something wonderful while bathing. Akrura replied, "Whatever wonderful things there are in the realms of water, earth or sky, all have their existence within You. Thus when one has seen You, nothing remains unseen." Akrura then began driving the chariot again.

Krishna, Balarama and Akrura reached Mathura late in the afternoon. After meeting up with Nanda Maharaja and the other cowherds, who had gone on ahead, Krishna asked Akrura to return home, promising to visit him there after He had killed Kamsa. Akrura unhappily bid the Lord goodbye, went to King Kamsa to inform him that Krishna and Balarama had come, and went home.

Krishna and Balarama took the cowherd boys with Them to see the splendorous city. As they all entered Mathura, the women of the city eagerly came out of their houses to see Krishna. They had often heard about Him and had long since developed a deep attraction for Him. But now that they were actually seeing Him, they were overwhelmed with happiness, and all their distress due to His absence was eradicated.

Krishna and Balarama then came upon Kamsa's wicked washerman. Krishna asked him for some of the first-class garments he was carrying, but he refused and even chastised the two Lords. At this Krishna became very angry and beheaded the man with His fingertips. The washerman's assistants, seeing his untimely end, dropped their bundles of clothes on the spot and ran off in all directions. Krishna and Balarama then took some of the garments They especially fancied.

Next a weaver approached the two Lords and arrayed Them suitably, for which service he received from Krishna opulence in this life and liberation in the next. Krishna and Balarama then went to the house of the garland-maker Sudama. Sudama offered Them his full obeisances, worshiped Them by bathing Their feet and offering Them such items as arghya and sandalwood paste, and chanted prayers in Their honor. Then he adorned Them with garlands of fragrant flowers. Pleased, the Lords offered him whatever benedictions he wished, and then They moved on.