Abandoning their vast wealth and all comforts, they set forth on foot, appearing outwardly afraid like cowards, yet truly fearless in spirit. Their tender, lotus-like feet carried them across many yojanas as they journeyed on. Observing their flight, the mighty king of Magadha laughed aloud and gave chase with his formidable divisions of chariots, unaware of the true power that resided in those he pursued. After running a great distance and becoming weary, the two ascended a towering mountain known as Pravarṣaṇa, a peak famed for its perpetual rain. When the king of Magadha and his men could not find any trace of them upon the mountain, he suspected they were hiding somewhere on its slopes. Determined to flush them out, he ordered fires to be set all around the mountain, hoping the flames would reveal his quarry. But as the fires raged, both leapt swiftly from the burning heights, descending from the ten-yojana-high summit to the ground below. Unseen by their enemies and the king’s followers, these best of the Yadus made their way back to their own city, Dvārakā, which was safely protected by the 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, satisfied with his supposed victory. In the meantime, the illustrious king of Ānarta, Raivata, prompted by Brahmā himself, gave his daughter Raivatī in marriage to Baladeva, as had been foretold. Govinda, the Supreme Lord, also wedded Vaidarbhī, the daughter of Bhīṣmaka and mother of Śrī, at her own svayaṃvara, O best of the Kurus. Before the eyes of all, Krishna overpowered the kings—Śālva and the allies of Cedi—by force, and, like Garuḍa seizing the nectar, took Rukmiṇī as his bride. At this point, the king inquired, “It is said 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. O Brahman, who could ever tire of hearing the sacred stories of Krishna—sweet as honey, purifying the world, ever fresh and new, even for those who know them well?” Śrī Bādarāyaṇa then spoke: In the land of Vidarbha there was a great king named Bhīṣmaka, blessed with five sons and one daughter of extraordinary beauty. The eldest son was Rukmi, followed by Rukmaratha, Rukmabāhu, Rukmakeśa, and Rukmamālī. Their virtuous sister was Rukmiṇī. Rukmiṇī, in her father’s house, often heard from visitors the praises of Mukunda—his beauty, valor, virtues, and glory. Her heart was drawn to him, and she considered Krishna the only worthy husband for herself. Krishna, too, recognized her intelligence, noble character, beauty, and virtues, and resolved in his mind to accept her as his wife. Although her relatives wished to give Rukmiṇī to Krishna, her brother Rukmi, who harbored enmity toward Krishna, prevented this and instead considered Shishupala as her husband. When the dark-eyed princess of Vidarbha learned of this, she became deeply distressed. After careful thought, she quickly sent a trusted Brahmin as her messenger to Krishna. The Brahmin traveled to Dvārakā, and, admitted by the doorkeepers, saw the Supreme Person seated upon a golden throne. Upon seeing the Brahmin, the Lord of the devotees rose from his seat, offered him a place to sit, and honored him as the gods 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? Is your mind always content? For when 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 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, 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, tell me everything, especially if there is anything confidential—what should I do for you?” Thus respectfully questioned by the Supreme Lord, the Brahmin conveyed Rukmiṇī’s secret message: “O beauty of the worlds, having heard of Your virtues, which remove the distress of those who listen, my mind, shamelessly, has entered into You through my ears. Beholding Your form, the fulfillment of 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 unrivaled in lineage, character, beauty, knowledge, age, wealth, and glory, delighting 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 the Supreme Lord, master of all, the 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, 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, kept within the inner chambers and guarded by relatives, can be married by You, I will tell You: On the previous day, there is a great procession to the family goddess, during which the new bride goes outside to worship Girijā. The great souls desire to bathe in the dust of whose lotus feet, just as the Lord of Umā does to destroy 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.” The Brahmin concluded, “Thus I have brought these secret messages from the daughter of Vidarbha. Consider what should be done, and act accordingly.” Śuka then said: 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. I will bring her here, seizing her from the assembly of kings in battle—she who is devoted to me, flawless in form, like the flame of sacred fire.