Endowed with deep austerity and unwavering faith, resolute and free from all attachment and doubt, he fixed his mind upon Kṛṣṇa and journeyed into the sacred Gandhamādana. Pressing onward, he arrived at Badarī-āśrama, the holy dwelling of Nara and Nārāyaṇa, and there, steadfast and serene amidst all dualities, he worshipped Lord Hari through rigorous austerities. Meanwhile, the Lord Himself returned once more to a city besieged by Yavana forces. There, He destroyed the barbarian armies and brought their amassed wealth back to Dvārakā. As this treasure was being transported, accompanied by cows and men and prompted by Acyuta, the mighty king Jarāsandha arrived with twenty-three formidable armies. Seeing Jarāsandha’s vast host advancing swiftly and with great force, the two Mādhavas—Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma—adopted the ways of ordinary men and quickly fled, O King. Though they abandoned their abundant wealth and seemed to run in fear, they were in truth fearless, only appearing as if afraid, and traveled many yojanas on foot, their lotus-like feet pressing the earth. Witnessing their flight, Jarāsandha, the powerful king of Magadha, laughed and gave chase with his divisions of chariots, unaware of the true might of the two Lords. After running a great distance and becoming weary, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma ascended the lofty mountain called Pravarṣaṇa, a peak where rain falls perpetually. Unable to find their tracks upon the mountain, Jarāsandha presumed they were hiding and ordered that the mountain be set ablaze on all sides with burning materials. But as the flames rose, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma leapt swiftly from the burning slopes, descending from the ten-yojana-high peak to the ground below. Unseen by Jarāsandha and his followers, the best of the Yadus returned safely to their city, Dvārakā, protected by the encircling ocean. Believing that Balarāma and Keśava had perished in the fire, the king of Magadha withdrew his vast army and returned to his own kingdom. In time, the illustrious king of Ānarta, Raivata, prompted by Brahmā, gave his daughter Raivatī in marriage to Baladeva, as had been previously ordained. Govinda, the Supreme Lord, also won the hand of Vaidarbhī, the daughter of Bhīṣmaka and mother of Śrī, at her own svayaṃvara, O best of the Kurus. Having subdued the kings—Śālva and the allies of Cedi—by force, and before the eyes of all, Kṛṣṇa carried her away as Garuḍa would seize the nectar. The king then said, “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 to be his bride. Who could ever tire of hearing the sacred stories of Kṛṣṇa—sweet as honey, purifying all, 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 son was Rukmi, followed by Rukmaratha, Rukmabāhu, Rukmakeśa, and Rukmamālī; their virtuous sister was Rukmiṇī. Rukmiṇī, hearing from visitors to her home the praises of Mukunda—his beauty, valor, virtues, and glory—came to consider him the only worthy husband. Kṛṣṇa, recognizing her intelligence, noble character, beauty, and virtues, resolved in his heart to accept her as his bride. Though Rukmiṇī’s relatives wished to give her to Kṛṣṇa, her brother Rukmi, harboring enmity toward the Lord, prevented it and instead favored Śiśupāla. Upon learning this, the dark-eyed princess of Vidarbha was deeply distressed. After careful thought, she quickly sent a trusted Brahmin as her messenger to Kṛṣṇa. The Brahmin journeyed to Dvārakā and, admitted by the doorkeepers, beheld the Supreme Lord seated upon a golden throne. Seeing the Brahmin, Kṛṣṇa, Lord of the devotees, rose from his seat, welcomed and honored him as the gods would honor one another. After the Brahmin had eaten and rested, Kṛṣṇa—the refuge of the righteous—approached, touched his feet, and inquired with great care: “O best of Brahmins, is your dharma, esteemed by your elders, proceeding without great difficulty? Is your mind always content? Whenever a Brahmin, content with whatever comes, remains steadfast in his duty, he fulfills all desires. Even the lord of the gods, if discontent, wanders endlessly among the worlds; but one who is content, though possessing nothing, sleeps free from all affliction. I bow my head to those Brahmins who are content, virtuous, humble, peaceful, and the best friends to all beings.” “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, please 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 recounted all that had transpired. He conveyed Rukmiṇī’s heartfelt message: “O beauty of the worlds, having heard of Your virtues, which dispel the suffering of all who listen, my mind has entered into You through the channels of my ears, O infallible one. Beholding Your form, which fulfills all desires, my heart is captivated. O Mukunda, what noble maiden of good family, possessing discernment, would not choose You as her husband—You, who are peerless in lineage, character, beauty, knowledge, age, wealth, and glory, and who delight the minds of all, O lion among men?” “Therefore, O Lord, I have chosen You 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. If You, the Supreme Lord, elder brother of Gada, are truly satisfied with my worship—through charity, sacrifice, vows, rituals, and service to gods, Brahmins, and elders—then let You come and take my hand, and not the son of Damaghoṣa or any other.” “Tomorrow, O unconquered one, when You come to Vidarbha to marry, concealed and surrounded by chiefs of Your army, overpower the forces of Cedi and Magadha, and forcibly win me, whose bride-price is valor, according to the custom of the Rākṣasas. If You wonder how I, who am kept within the inner chambers and guarded by relatives, can be married by You, I will tell You the means: On the previous day, there is a great procession to the family goddess, during which the new bride goes outside to worship Girijā.” Thus did Rukmiṇī’s longing and devotion reach the ears of Kṛṣṇa, setting the stage for the Lord’s divine union with the princess of Vidarbha.