O King, the Lord assured: “In your next birth, you shall be born as the best among the twice-born, a supreme friend to all beings, and you will attain Me alone.” Having thus been favored by Kṛṣṇa, the illustrious son of the Ikṣvāku dynasty reverently circumambulated Him, bowed low, and departed from the mouth of the cave. As he journeyed, he beheld the smallness of humans, animals, herbs, and trees, and realized that the age of Kali had dawned. With this understanding, he set his course toward the northern direction. Endowed with austerity and faith, resolute and free from attachment and doubt, he fixed his mind solely on Kṛṣṇa and entered the sacred region of Gandhamādana. In time, he reached the holy Badarī-āśrama, the abode of Nara and Nārāyaṇa, and, enduring all dualities with a peaceful heart, he worshipped Hari through steadfast austerities. Meanwhile, the Lord returned to the city besieged by the Yavana armies. There He vanquished the barbarian forces and brought their wealth back to Dvārakā. As the wealth was being transported with cows and men, Jarāsandha, the king of Magadha, arrived with twenty-three mighty armies, incited by Acyuta. Seeing the enemy’s vast forces advancing swiftly and with great force, the two Mādhavas—Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma—adopted the ways of men and quickly fled the field, O King. Though fearless, they abandoned their abundant wealth and appeared as if afraid, traveling many yojanas on foot, their lotus-like feet touching the earth. Jarāsandha, the powerful king of Magadha, laughed upon seeing the two fleeing and pursued them with his chariot divisions, unaware of their true power. After covering a great distance and becoming weary, the two ascended a high mountain called Pravarṣaṇa, where rain falls perpetually. Unable to find their tracks, Jarāsandha assumed they were hiding and set fire to the mountain on all sides. But then, with swift leaps, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma descended from the ten-yojana-high peak to the ground below, unseen by the enemy or his followers. Thus, the best of the Yadus returned once more to their city, Dvārakā, which was protected by the ocean. Believing that Balarāma and Keśava had perished in the flames, Jarāsandha withdrew his vast army and returned to Magadha. At this time, the illustrious king of Ānarta, Raivata, following the counsel of Brahmā, gave his daughter Raivatī in marriage to Baladeva, just as had been foretold. And Govinda, the Lord, married Vaidarbhī—Rukmiṇī, the daughter of Bhīṣmaka and mother of Śrī—at her svayaṃvara, O best of the Kurus. In that great assembly, Kṛṣṇa overpowered the kings—Śālva and the allies of Cedi—by force, and before the eyes of all, took Rukmiṇī as Garuḍa takes 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 Kṛṣṇa, of immeasurable brilliance, after conquering Jarāsandha, Śālva, and others, brought the maiden as his bride. O Brahman, who could ever be satiated by hearing the sacred stories of Kṛṣṇa—sweet as honey, purifying the world of all impurities, ever fresh and ever new, even for those well-versed in them?” Śrī Bādarāyaṇa replied: There was a great king named Bhīṣmaka, lord of Vidarbha. He had five sons and one daughter of exceptional beauty. The eldest was Rukmi, then Rukmaratha, followed by Rukmabāhu, Rukmakeśa, and Rukmamālī. Their virtuous sister was Rukmiṇī. Rukmiṇī, hearing from those who visited her home the praises of Mukunda’s beauty, valor, virtues, and glory, considered Him the only worthy husband for herself. Kṛṣṇa, recognizing her intelligence, noble character, beauty, and virtues, resolved in His heart to accept her as His bride. Though many of her relatives wished to give the princess to Kṛṣṇa, her brother Rukmi, who harbored enmity toward Kṛṣṇa, prevented it and instead considered Śiśupāla for her hand. Learning of this, the dark-eyed princess of Vidarbha became deeply distressed. After careful thought, she quickly sent a trusted Brahmin as her messenger to Kṛṣṇa. The Brahmin reached Dvārakā and, admitted by the doorkeepers, beheld the Supreme Person seated upon a golden throne. Seeing the Brahmin, the Lord of devotees rose from His seat, seated 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 His hand, and inquired with care, “O best of Brahmins, is your dharma, esteemed by the elders, proceeding without great difficulty, and is your mind always content?” He 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. 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. O Brahman, is all well with you? For the king, whose subjects live happily under his protection, is dear to Me. Since you have come here, crossing many hardships as you wished, tell me everything, especially if there is anything confidential—what should I do for you?” Thus respectfully questioned by the Supreme Lord, who had assumed a human form for His pastimes, the Brahmin narrated everything to Him. He conveyed Rukmiṇī’s message: “O beauty of the worlds, having heard of Your virtues, which dispel the distress of those who listen, my mind, shamelessly, has entered into You, O infallible one, through the channels of my ears. Beholding Your form, which fulfills all desires for those who see, my heart is captivated. “O Mukunda, what noble maiden of good family, possessing discernment, would not choose You as her husband—You, who are equal to Yourself alone in lineage, character, beauty, knowledge, age, wealth, and glory, and who delight the minds of all people, O lion among men? “Therefore, O Lord, You have indeed been chosen by me as my husband; please accept me as Your wife, for I have offered myself to You. Let not the king of Cedi, like a jackal seizing the offering meant for the lion, touch the share of the hero, O lotus-eyed one.