In the royal city of Vidarbha, the princess Rukmini often heard visitors to her home speak in glowing terms of Mukunda—Krishna—praising his beauty, valor, virtues, and renown. Their words stirred her heart, and she came to regard Krishna as the most worthy husband. Meanwhile, Krishna, recognizing Rukmini’s intelligence, noble character, beauty, and virtuous nature, resolved in his heart to accept her as his bride. Though Rukmini’s relatives wished to give her hand to Krishna, her brother Rukmi, who harbored hatred toward Krishna, opposed the union and instead favored Shishupala as her suitor. When Rukmini learned of this, her dark, expressive eyes reflected deep distress. After careful contemplation, she quickly sent a trusted Brahmin messenger to Krishna, hoping to convey her feelings and plea. The Brahmin journeyed to Dvārakā, and upon arrival, was admitted by the doorkeepers into Krishna’s palace. There, he beheld the Supreme Person seated upon a golden throne. Krishna, Lord of the devotees, rose from his seat to welcome the Brahmin, seated him respectfully, and honored him as one might honor the gods themselves. After the Brahmin had eaten and rested, Krishna—the refuge of the righteous—approached, touched the Brahmin’s feet with his hand, and inquired with gentle care. “O best of Brahmins,” Krishna asked, “does your dharma, esteemed by the elders, proceed without great difficulty? Is your mind always content?” He continued, “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 among worlds; but one who is content, though possessing nothing, sleeps free from affliction. I bow my head but once to those Brahmins who are content, virtuous, humble, peaceful, and the best friends to all beings.” “Is all well with you?” Krishna asked further. “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, the Brahmin relayed Rukmini’s secret message. Rukmini’s words were heartfelt: “O beauty of the worlds, having heard of Your virtues, which remove the distress of those who listen, my mind 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 are equal only to Yourself in lineage, character, beauty, knowledge, age, wealth, and glory, delighting the minds of all people, 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 win me by 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 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. 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 the Yadu dynasty. Consider what should be done here, and then act accordingly.” Śuka, the sage, narrates: Hearing the message from the princess of Vidarbha, Krishna—the son of the Yadus—took the Brahmin by the hand, smiled, and spoke. The Blessed Lord said, “I too am unable to sleep at night, my mind absorbed in her. I know that Rukmini’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.” Knowing the auspicious time for Rukmini’s wedding, Madhusūdana instructed his charioteer, “Dāruka, quickly yoke the chariot.” Dāruka brought the chariot, yoked with the horses Śaibya, Sugrīva, Meghapuṣpa, and Balāhaka, and stood before Krishna with joined palms. Krishna mounted the chariot, placed the Brahmin upon it, 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; roads, streets, and crossroads were adorned with colorful flags, banners, and arches. Men and women dressed in spotless garments, adorned with garlands, fragrant flowers, and ornaments, filled the city, and splendid houses were perfumed with aguru incense. The king worshipped the ancestors, gods, and Brahmins, fed them according to custom, and had auspicious rites recited. Rukmini, freshly bathed and adorned for the ceremony, was dressed in fine garments and decorated with the finest ornaments. The foremost Brahmins performed protective rites for the bride with chants from the Sama, Rig, and Yajur Vedas; the chief priest, versed in Atharva Veda, offered oblations to pacify the planetary influences. The king, expert in proper rites, gave gold, silver, garments, sesame mixed with jaggery, and cows to the Brahmins. King Damaghosha, lord of Cedi, arranged everything for prosperity for his son, employing experts in mantras. With intoxicated elephants, golden chariots, and armies crowded with infantry and horses, he proceeded to Kundina. The king of Vidarbha approached him, honored him, and joyfully settled him in prepared accommodations. There, Shalva, Jarasandha, Dantavaktra, Viduratha, and thousands of allies from Chedi and Paundra arrived. Enemies of Krishna and Rama, determined to secure the maiden for the Chedi prince, gathered, resolved to fight if Krishna, accompanied by the Yadus, came to take her. Thus, the stage was set for the great events that would soon unfold in Vidarbha.