This chapter describes Lord Sri Krishna's daily activities and two proposals placed before Him -- one by a messenger from Dvaraka and another by the sage Narada.

In the early hours of the morning, Lord Krishna would rise from bed and bathe Himself in clear water. After executing the dawn rituals and other religious duties, He would offer oblations into the sacred fire, chant the Gayatri mantra, worship and pay tribute to the demigods, sages and forefathers, and offer respects to learned brahmanas. Then He would touch auspicious substances, decorate Himself with celestial ornaments and gratify His subjects by giving them whatever they desired.

The Lord's chariot driver, Daruka, would bring His chariot, and the Lord would mount it and drive to the royal assembly hall. When He would take His seat in the assembly, surrounded by the Yadavas, He would appear like the moon surrounded by the circle of stars called nakshatras. Bards would recite His praises to the accompaniment of drums, cymbals, vinas and other instruments.

On one occasion, the doorkeepers escorted a messenger into the assembly hall. The messenger offered prostrated obeisances to the Lord and then, standing with joined palms, addressed Him: "O Lord, Jarasandha has captured twenty thousand kings and is holding them prisoner. Please do something, for these kings are all Your surrendered devotees."

Just at that moment Narada Muni appeared. Lord Sri Krishna and all the members of the assembly stood up and offered obeisances to Narada by bowing their heads. The sage accepted a seat, and then Lord Krishna gently questioned him: "Since you travel all over the universe, please inform Us what the Pandava brothers are planning to do." Narada then praised the Supreme Lord and replied, "King Yudhishthira desires to perform the Rajasuya sacrifice. For this he requests Your sanction and presence. Many demigods and illustrious kings will come just to see You."

Understanding that the Yadavas wanted Him to defeat Jarasandha, Lord Krishna asked His wise minister Uddhava to determine which of the two matters at hand -- the defeat of Jarasandha or the Rajasuya sacrifice -- should be attended to first.