O noble one, who could ever tire of hearing the sacred stories of Krishna? Each telling is as sweet as honey, forever fresh and new, purifying the heart and world alike—even for those already well-versed in them. Now, hear this account as spoken by Śrī Bādarāyaṇa: There once was a great king named Bhīṣmaka, ruler of Vidarbha. He was blessed with five sons and a daughter renowned for her exceptional beauty. His eldest son was Rukmi, followed by Rukmaratha, Rukmabāhu, Rukmakeśa, and Rukmamālī. Their virtuous sister was Rukmiṇī. Rukmiṇī, from those who visited her father’s palace, often heard enchanting tales of Mukunda—Krishna—of his unmatched beauty, valor, noble qualities, and glorious deeds. Deeply moved by these accounts, she cherished the thought that Krishna was the most worthy of husbands. Krishna, too, had heard of Rukmiṇī’s intelligence, noble character, beauty, and virtues. He resolved within himself that she was the ideal bride for him. Though Rukmiṇī’s other relatives wished to give her in marriage to Krishna, her eldest brother Rukmi, who harbored enmity toward Krishna, was determined otherwise. Rukmi forbade the match and instead favored Shishupala as her suitor. When Rukmiṇī, the dark-eyed princess of Vidarbha, learned of this decision, her heart was plunged into distress. After much deliberation, she quickly sent a trusted Brahmin messenger to Krishna, hoping for deliverance. The Brahmin journeyed to Dvārakā, and upon arrival, was admitted by the doorkeepers into Krishna’s presence. There he beheld the Supreme Lord, seated upon a golden throne, radiant and gracious. Krishna, Lord of devotees, immediately rose, welcomed the Brahmin with great honor, and seated him respectfully, as the gods would honor one of their own. After the Brahmin had eaten and rested, Krishna—the refuge of the righteous—approached, touched his feet, and gently inquired about his welfare. “O best of Brahmins,” Krishna asked, “is your dharma, so esteemed by the elders, proceeding without difficulty? Is your mind content?” He spoke further, “Whenever a Brahmin, content with whatever comes, remains steadfast in his duty, he becomes the fulfiller of all desires. Even the lord of gods, if discontent, wanders endlessly, but one who is content, though possessing nothing, sleeps in peace, free from affliction. I bow my head but once to those Brahmins who are content, virtuous, humble, peaceful, and friends to all beings.” He continued, “Is all well with you? For any king whose subjects live happily under his protection is dear to me. You have come here, having crossed many hardships—please tell me everything, especially if there is anything confidential. What may I do for you?” Thus respectfully questioned by Krishna, the Supreme Lord who had assumed a human form for his divine pastimes, the Brahmin began to recount the message entrusted to him. He spoke Rukmiṇī’s heartfelt words: “O beauty of the worlds, having heard of Your virtues—which remove the distress of all who listen—my mind, shamelessly, has entered into You through the channels of my ears. Beholding Your form, the fulfillment of all desires for those who see, my heart is utterly captivated. O Mukunda, what noble maiden of discerning mind and good family would not choose You as her husband? You are peerless in lineage, character, beauty, knowledge, age, wealth, and fame, 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 given myself to You. Let not the king of Cedi, like a jackal seizing the share meant for a lion, touch the offering that belongs to the hero, O lotus-eyed one. If You, O Supreme Lord, elder brother of Gada, are pleased with my worship—through charity, sacrifice, vows, and service to gods, Brahmins, and elders—then let You come and take my hand, not the son of Damaghoṣa or any other. “Tomorrow, O unconquered one, come to Vidarbha to marry me, hidden and surrounded by chiefs of Your army. Conquer the forces of Cedi and Magadha, and win me by 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 eve of the wedding, there is a great procession to the family goddess, when the new bride goes out to worship Girijā. That is the moment. “The great souls desire to bathe in the dust of Your 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, worn by vows, over hundreds of births.” Having delivered this secret message from the daughter of Vidarbha, the Brahmin said, “Consider what should be done, and act accordingly.” Śuka then narrates: Hearing the message from the princess of Vidarbha, Krishna, the son of the Yadus, took the Brahmin by the hand, smiled, and replied, “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’s 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 sacred flame.” Knowing the auspicious time for Rukmiṇī’s wedding, Krishna, Madhusūdana, instructed his charioteer, “Dāruka, quickly yoke the chariot.” Dāruka brought forth the chariot, yoked with the splendid horses Śaibya, Sugrīva, Meghapuṣpa, and Balāhaka, and stood before Krishna with joined palms. Krishna mounted the chariot, seated the Brahmin beside him, and, with swift horses, traveled from Ānarta to Vidarbha in a single night. Meanwhile, the king of Kuṇḍina, out of deep affection for his son, began the wedding preparations to give his daughter to Śiśupāla. The city was thoroughly cleaned and sprinkled; its roads, streets, and crossroads were adorned with colorful flags, banners, and arches. The city bustled with men and women dressed in spotless garments, adorned with garlands, fragrant flowers, and ornaments, and the splendid houses were perfumed with aguru incense. The king performed all proper rites—worshipping ancestors, gods, and Brahmins, feeding them according to custom, and having auspicious rituals recited. The beautiful maiden, Rukmiṇī, freshly bathed and adorned for the ceremony, was dressed in fine garments and decorated with the finest ornaments. The foremost Brahmins performed protective rites with chants from the Sama, Rig, and Yajur Vedas; the chief priest, learned in the Atharva Veda, offered oblations to pacify planetary influences. The king, ever attentive to proper conduct, gave gold, silver, garments, sesame mixed with jaggery, and cows to the Brahmins. Thus, King Damaghoṣa, lord of Cedi, arranged every detail for his son’s prosperity, employing experts in mantras. With elephants in rut, chariots adorned with gold, and armies crowded with infantry and horses, he proceeded grandly to Kuṇḍina, eager for the wedding to commence.