Long had I been tormented in this world, suffering from pain and regret, harassed by enemies such as thirst and never finding peace. At last, by some great fortune, I have come to Your lotus feet, O Supreme Soul who gives shelter to all. I am helpless, O Lord—please protect me, and grant me fearlessness, immortality, and freedom from sorrow. Hearing this heartfelt plea, the Blessed Lord spoke: “O great king, ruler of the earth, your mind is pure and unwavering. Even when tempted with boons, you have not been disturbed by desires. Know that this testing with boons was simply to measure your vigilance, for the mind of those whose devotion is exclusive is never shaken, not even by blessings. But for those who practice yoga without devotion, O king, their desires remain undiminished, and the mind rises up again, even after being controlled by breath and other means. “Now, roam the earth as you wish, keeping your mind absorbed in Me. May your devotion to Me remain firm and unwavering. Though, as a warrior, you have killed living beings 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 become the best among the twice-born, a supreme friend to all beings, and you will attain Me alone.” Śuka continued: Thus, O dear one, having been blessed by Kṛṣṇa, the son of Ikṣvāku circumambulated Him, bowed low, and departed from the mouth of the cave. As he journeyed, he saw the small humans, animals, herbs, and trees, and realized that the age of Kali had begun. Resolute and full of faith, free from attachment and doubt, he fixed his mind on Kṛṣṇa and entered the region of 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 again to the city surrounded by Yavanas. There, He vanquished the barbarian forces and brought their wealth back to Dvārakā. As this wealth—along with cows and men—was being transported, Jarāsandha, the king with twenty-three armies, arrived, spurred on by Acyuta. Seeing the enemy army advancing swiftly and forcefully, the two Mādhavas, adopting human ways, quickly fled, O King. Though they abandoned great riches and seemed to act like cowards, they were fearless as they traveled many yojanas on foot, their lotus-like feet moving swiftly. The king of Magadha, seeing them flee, laughed and pursued with his chariot divisions, unaware of their true might. After running a great distance and growing weary, the two ascended a high mountain called Pravarṣaṇa, where it always rains. Not finding their tracks there, Jarāsandha assumed they were hiding 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 again to their city, protected by the ocean. Jarasandha, believing falsely that Balarāma and Keśava had perished in the fire, withdrew his vast army and returned to Magadha. In the meantime, the illustrious king of Ānarta, Raivata, prompted by Brahmā, gave his daughter Raivatī to Baladeva, just as had been previously declared. Govinda, the Lord, also married Vaidarbhī, the daughter of Bhīṣmaka—the mother of Śrī—at her own svayaṃvara, O best of the Kurus. Overpowering Śālva and the allies of Cedi by force before the eyes of all, Krishna took her as Garuḍa seizes the nectar. The king then asked, “It is said 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 Jarasandha, Shalva, 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 son was Rukmi, followed by Rukmaratha, Rukmabāhu, Rukmakeśa, and Rukmamālī. Their virtuous sister was Rukmiṇī. Hearing from visitors to her house 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 in His mind 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 instead considered Shishupala as a match. 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, refuge of the righteous, approached, touched his feet with His hand, and inquired with care, “O best of Brahmins, is your dharma, esteemed by your elders, proceeding without great difficulty, and is your mind always content? “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. I bow my head but once to those Brahmins who are content with what they receive, virtuous, the best friends to all beings, humble, and peaceful.