As the enemy army surged forward with great speed and power, the two Mādhavas—Krishna and Balarāma—adopted the ways of ordinary men and swiftly turned to flee, O King. Though they left behind vast treasures, they showed no fear in their hearts, even if they appeared to run like cowards. With their lotus-like feet, they traveled many yojanas on foot. Witnessing their retreat, the mighty king of Magadha laughed aloud and gave chase, leading his chariot divisions after them, unaware of the true might of the two brothers. After running a long distance and becoming weary, Krishna and Balarāma climbed to the summit of a great mountain known as Pravarṣaṇa, a peak famed for its constant rainfall. When the king of Magadha found no trace of their path on the mountain, he suspected they were hiding and ordered the mountain to be set ablaze on all sides. As the flames roared, the two brothers leaped swiftly from the burning slope, descending from the ten-yojana-high peak to the ground below. Unseen by their pursuers, the best of the Yadus made their way back to their own city, Dvārakā, which was protected by the ocean, O King. Believing falsely that Balarāma and Keśava had perished in the fire, the king of Magadha withdrew his vast army and returned to his own kingdom. In the meantime, the illustrious king of Ānarta, Raivata, guided by Brahmā, gave his daughter Raivatī in marriage to Baladeva, just as had been previously declared. Govinda, the Supreme Lord, also won Vaidarbhī—Rukmiṇī, the daughter of Bhīṣmaka and mother of Śrī—at her own svayaṃvara, O best of Kurus. Overpowering the kings Śālva and the allies of Cedi by force, and in the presence of all, he took her away as Garuḍa would seize the nectar. King Parīkṣit then inquired, “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 Jarāsandha, Shālva, and others, brought the maiden as his bride. For who could ever tire of hearing the sacred stories of Krishna—sweet as honey, purifying the world, ever fresh and new, even to those who know them well?” Śrī Bādarāyaṇa replied: There was a great king named Bhīṣmaka, the lord of Vidarbha, who had five sons and a daughter of extraordinary beauty. The eldest son was Rukmi, followed by Rukmaratha, Rukmabāhu, Rukmakeśa, and Rukmamālī. Their virtuous sister was Rukmiṇī. Hearing from visitors to her home the praises of Mukunda’s beauty, valor, virtues, and fame, Rukmiṇī regarded Krishna as the only worthy husband. Krishna, recognizing her intelligence, noble character, beauty, and qualities, resolved in his heart to accept her as his wife. Though the princess’s relatives wished to give her to Krishna, her brother Rukmi, who hated Krishna, prevented it and instead considered Shishupāla as her match. Learning of this, the dark-eyed Rukmiṇī grew deeply distressed. After careful thought, she quickly sent a trusted Brahmin as her messenger to Krishna. The Brahmin journeyed to Dvārakā, and, upon being admitted by the doorkeepers, saw the Supreme Person seated upon a golden throne. Seeing the Brahmin, the Lord of devotees rose from his seat, honored him as the gods would honor themselves, and offered him a seat. When the Brahmin had eaten and rested, Krishna—the refuge of the righteous—approached, touched his feet, and inquired with gentle care: “O best of Brahmins, is your dharma, esteemed by elders, proceeding without great difficulty? Is your mind always content? For when a Brahmin is content with whatever comes and steadfast in his 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 affliction. I bow just once to those Brahmins who are content, virtuous, humble, peaceful, and the best friends to all beings. O Brahman, is all well with you? For a king whose subjects live happily 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 form for his pastimes, the Brahmin conveyed Rukmiṇī’s secret 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 my ears. Beholding Your form, the fulfillment of 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 unrivaled in lineage, character, beauty, knowledge, age, wealth, and glory, and who delight the minds of all? Therefore, O Lord, You have 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. If the Supreme Lord, master of all, elder brother of Gada, is truly satisfied with my worship—through charity, sacrifice, vows, rituals, and service to gods, brahmins, and elders—then let Him 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, as is the custom of the Rākṣasas. If You wonder how I, kept within the inner chambers and guarded by relatives, can be married by You, I will tell You: On the day before the wedding, there is a great procession to the family goddess, during which the new bride goes outside to worship Girijā. Great souls desire to bathe in the dust of Your lotus feet, just as the Lord of Umā does to dispel his own darkness. O lotus-eyed one, if I do not obtain Your favor, let me give up this life, emaciated by vows, over hundreds of births.” Having delivered Rukmiṇī’s heartfelt plea, the Brahmin concluded, “Thus I have brought these secret messages from the daughter of the Yadu dynasty. Consider what should be done, and act accordingly.” Śuka continued: Hearing the message from the princess of Vidarbha, Krishna, the son of the Yadus, took the Brahmin by the hand, smiled, and spoke: “I too am unable to sleep at night, my mind absorbed in her. I know that Rukmiṇī’s marriage to me was prevented by her brother out of enmity.