PLATE ONE
The great Rājasūya sacrifice performed by Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira was attended by all the exalted demigods, the most expert  brāhmaṇas  and sages, and kings from different parts of the world. When all the respectable members of that assembly began worshiping Lord Kṛṣṇa as the most exalted personality, King Śiśupāla became very angry. From the very beginning of his childhood, when he could not even speak properly, Śiśupāla, the most sinful son of Damaghoṣa, began blaspheming the Lord. Thus, not being able to tolerate such honor to Kṛṣṇa and glorification of His qualities, he stood up suddenly and began speaking very strongly against Lord Kṛṣṇa. All the kings present in the assembly became very angry and immediately took up their swords and shields to kill Śiśupāla, but when Lord Kṛṣṇa saw that they were going to fight in the arena of the auspicious Rājasūya sacrifice, He personally pacified all of them. Out of His causeless mercy, He Himself decided to kill Śiśupāla. While Śiśupāla abused the kings who were about to attack him, Lord Kṛṣṇa took up His disc, which was as sharp as the blade of a razor, and immediately separated Śiśupāla's head from his body. In the presence of all the exalted persons in the assembly, Śiśupāla's spirit soul merged into the transcendental body of the Supreme Lord, Kṛṣṇa. ( pp. 21-26 )