After wandering through countless lifetimes in this world, when a soul is finally liberated, O Infallible Lord, it is then that one is blessed with the company of the virtuous. In that sacred association, devotion to You—the Lord of all—arises instantly, like a lamp lit in the darkness. O Lord, I see it as Your special grace that my attachment to kingdom and power has been lifted from my heart—a detachment so earnestly sought by the virtuous, who abandon their vast domains to seek the solitude of the forest. O Master, I ask for no boon except the privilege of serving at Your feet, a gift cherished even by those who possess nothing. For who, after worshiping You—the giver of liberation—would ever desire any other boon that only binds the soul further? Therefore, O Lord, I cast aside all desires, everywhere, those born of passion, ignorance, or even goodness. I approach You, the pure and transcendental Supreme Person, who is beyond all qualities, who is pure consciousness itself. Long have I suffered here, tormented by sorrow and regret, assailed by enemies like thirst, never finding peace. Now, somehow, I have reached Your lotus feet, O Supreme Soul, the shelter of all. Please protect me, for I am helpless—grant me fearlessness, immortality, and freedom from sorrow. Hearing these heartfelt words, the Blessed Lord replied: “O great king, ruler of the earth, your mind is pure and unwavering. Even when offered boons, you have not been disturbed by desire. Know that My offering of boons was merely to test your vigilance, for the mind of one with exclusive devotion is never shaken by blessings. For those who practice yoga but lack devotion, the mind, with its lingering desires, is seen to rise again, even after being controlled by breath and discipline. Now, roam the earth as you wish, keeping your mind absorbed in Me. May your devotion to Me remain steadfast and unbroken. “Though, as a warrior, you have slain many creatures in hunting and other ways, by performing this austerity and taking refuge in Me, you shall cast off all sin. In your next birth, O king, you will be born as the best among twice-born, a supreme friend to all beings, and you will attain Me alone.” Śuka continued: Thus favored by Kṛṣṇa, the noble king—descendant of Ikṣvāku—circumambulated the Lord with reverence, bowed deeply, and departed from the mouth of the cave. As he journeyed, he noticed the small humans, animals, herbs, and trees, and realized that the age of Kali had arrived. Resolute and filled with faith, free from attachment and doubt, he set his mind on Kṛṣṇa and entered the Gandhamādana mountains. Reaching the sacred Badarī-āśrama, the abode of Nara and Nārāyaṇa, he endured all dualities and, in tranquility, worshipped Hari through severe austerities. Meanwhile, the Lord returned to the city surrounded by Yavana warriors, slew the barbarian forces, and brought their wealth back to Dvārakā. As this wealth—along with cows and men—was being transported, Jarāsandha, king of Magadha, arrived with twenty-three mighty armies, prompted by Acyuta’s actions. Seeing the enemy’s rapid and forceful advance, the two Mādhavas—Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma—adopted the ways of men and quickly fled, O King. Though fearless, they abandoned their abundant wealth and, appearing as if afraid, traveled many yojanas on foot, their lotus-like feet treading the earth. The king of Magadha, seeing them flee, laughed and pursued with his chariot divisions, unaware of the true power of the Lords he chased. After running a great distance and becoming exhausted, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma climbed the high mountain Pravarṣaṇa, where it always rains. Unable to find their tracks, the king assumed they were hiding and set fire to the mountain on all sides. Then, leaping swiftly from the burning slope, the two Lords descended from the ten-yojana-high peak to the ground below. Unseen by the enemy and his followers, the best of the Yadus returned to their city, protected by the ocean. Believing that Balarāma and Keśava had perished in the blaze, the king of Magadha withdrew his vast army and returned to his capital. In the aftermath, the illustrious king of Ānarta, Raivata, prompted by Brahmā, gave his daughter Raivatī in marriage to Baladeva, just as had been foretold. Govinda, the Lord, also married Vaidarbhī—Rukmiṇī—the daughter of Bhīṣmaka and mother of Śrī, at her own svayaṃvara, O best of the Kurus. Overpowering the kings—Śālva and the allies of Cedi—by force and before the eyes of all, he took her as Garuḍa would seize the nectar. The king then inquired: “It is said that the Lord married Rukmiṇī, the beautiful daughter of Bhīṣmaka, by the rākṣasa rite. O Lord, I wish to hear how Kṛṣṇa, of immeasurable brilliance, after conquering Jarāsandha, Śālva, and others, won the maiden as his bride. Who could ever tire of hearing the sacred stories of Kṛṣṇa—sweet as honey, purifying the world, ever fresh and new, even for those well-versed in them?” Śrī Bādarāyaṇa replied: There was a great king named Bhīṣmaka, lord of Vidarbha, who had five sons and one daughter of exceptional beauty. The eldest was Rukmi, followed by Rukmaratha, Rukmabāhu, Rukmakeśa, and Rukmamālī; and their virtuous sister was Rukmiṇī. Rukmiṇī, hearing from visitors to her home the praises of Mukunda’s beauty, valor, virtues, and glory, considered him the only worthy husband for herself. Kṛṣṇa, too, recognizing her intelligence, noble character, beauty, and virtues, resolved in his heart to accept her as his wife. Though her family wished to give the princess to Kṛṣṇa, her brother Rukmi, who bore enmity toward Kṛṣṇa, prevented it and instead favored Śiśupāla. Learning of this, the dark-eyed princess of Vidarbha was filled with distress. After careful thought, she quickly sent a trusted Brahmin to Kṛṣṇa. The Brahmin reached Dvārakā and, admitted by the doorkeepers, saw the Supreme Person seated upon a golden throne. Seeing the Brahmin, the Lord of the devotees rose from his seat, welcomed him, and honored him as the gods would honor themselves. When the Brahmin had eaten and rested, Kṛṣṇa—the refuge of the righteous—approached, touched his feet with humility, and inquired with gentle care.