Having renounced all desires tied to the qualities of passion, ignorance, and even goodness, the king approached the Lord with a heart emptied of longing. He bowed before the pure, qualityless, nondual Supreme Person—pure consciousness itself. Long tormented in this world by suffering and remorse, beset by enemies such as thirst and never finding peace, he now found himself at the Lord’s lotus feet. The king, helpless and seeking shelter, implored the Supreme Soul to grant him fearlessness, immortality, and freedom from sorrow. The Blessed Lord spoke kindly: “O great king, ruler of the earth, your mind is pure and steadfast. Even when tempted by boons, you were not disturbed by desire. Know that these temptations were but a test of your vigilance, for the mind of one with exclusive devotion is never shaken by blessings. Those who practice yoga without devotion, O king, find that their desires return, even after controlling the mind through breath and other means. Now, roam the earth as you wish, with your mind absorbed in Me. May your devotion to Me be unwavering. Though you have killed creatures in hunting and battle, by performing this austerity and taking refuge in Me, cast off your sins. In your next birth, O king, you will become the best among the twice-born, a supreme friend to all beings, and you will attain Me alone.” Śuka then continued the tale: Thus, O dear one, having been blessed by Krishna, the son of Ikṣvāku circled the Lord, bowed low, and departed from the mouth of the cave. As he went, he observed the small humans, animals, herbs, and trees, and realized that the age of Kali had arrived. With austerity and faith, resolute and free from attachment and doubt, he fixed his mind on Krishna and entered Gandhamādana. Reaching Badarī-āśrama, the sacred abode of Nara and Nārāyaṇa, he endured all dualities, remained peaceful, and worshipped Hari through austerities. Meanwhile, the Lord returned to the city surrounded by Yavanas, slew the barbarian forces, and brought their wealth to Dvārakā. As the wealth was being transported with cows and men, Jarāsandha, king of Magadha, arrived with twenty-three armies, prompted by Acyuta. Seeing the enemy army advancing swiftly and forcefully, Krishna and Balarāma, adopting human ways, quickly fled. Though fearless, they abandoned abundant wealth and appeared as cowards, traveling many yojanas on foot with their lotus-like feet. Seeing them flee, Jarāsandha laughed and pursued them with his chariot divisions, unaware of their true power. After running a great distance and becoming exhausted, Krishna and Balarāma climbed the high mountain called Pravarṣaṇa, where it always rains. Unable to find their tracks, Jarāsandha assumed they were hidden and set fire to the mountain on all sides. Then, leaping swiftly from the burning slope, both 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. Jarāsandha, believing that Balarāma and Keśava had been burned, withdrew his vast army and returned to Magadha. Soon after, Raivata, the illustrious king of Ānarta, prompted by Brahmā, gave his daughter Raivatī to Baladeva, as had been previously declared. Govinda, the Lord, also married Vaidarbhī, the daughter of Bhīṣmaka and mother of Śrī, at her own svayaṃvara. Having overpowered the kings—Śālva and the allies of Cedi—by force, Krishna took her before the eyes of all, as Garuḍa took the nectar. The king then asked, “It is heard that the Lord married Rukmiṇī, the beautiful-faced daughter of Bhīṣmaka, by the rākṣasa rite. O Lord, I wish to hear how Krishna, of immeasurable brilliance, after conquering Jarāsandha, Śālva, and others, brought the maiden as his bride. Who could ever be satiated by hearing the sacred stories of Krishna—sweet as honey, purifying the world, ever fresh and always 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. Their virtuous sister was Rukmiṇī. Hearing from visitors the praises of Mukunda’s beauty, valor, virtues, and glory, Rukmiṇī considered him a worthy husband. Krishna, recognizing her intelligence, noble character, beauty, and virtues, resolved to accept her as his wife. Though her relatives wished to give the princess to Krishna, her brother Rukmi, who hated Krishna, prevented it and considered Shishupala instead. Learning of this, the dark-eyed princess of Vidarbha became deeply distressed. After careful thought, she quickly sent a trusted Brahmin to Krishna. 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 own seat, seated him, and honored him as the gods would honor themselves. When the Brahmin had eaten and rested, Krishna, the refuge of the righteous, approached, touched his feet with his hand, and inquired with care: “O best of Brahmins, is your dharma, esteemed by the elders, proceeding without difficulty? Is your mind always content?” Krishna continued, “Whenever a Brahmin, content with whatever comes, remains steadfast in his own duty, he becomes the fulfiller of all desires. Even the lord of the gods, if discontent, wanders among worlds; but one who is content, though possessing nothing, sleeps free from all affliction.