Krishna, perceiving the intelligence, noble character, beauty, and virtuous qualities of Rukmini, the princess of Vidarbha, resolved in his heart to accept her as a worthy wife. Though her family wished to offer her hand to Krishna, her brother Rukmi, harboring hatred towards Krishna, stood in opposition and instead favored Shishupala as her suitor. When Rukmini learned of her brother’s intentions, she was deeply distressed. After careful consideration, she quickly sent a trusted Brahmin messenger to Krishna. The Brahmin journeyed to Dvaraka, and upon arrival, was admitted by the doorkeepers into Krishna’s presence. There, he saw the Supreme Person seated upon a golden throne. Krishna, Lord of the devotees, rose from his seat to welcome the Brahmin, honored him with great respect, and treated him as the gods honor themselves. After the Brahmin had been fed and allowed to rest, Krishna, the refuge of the righteous, approached him, touched his feet, and gently inquired about his wellbeing. “O best of Brahmins,” Krishna asked, “is your dharma, honored by elders, proceeding without difficulty? Is your mind always content?” He continued, “Whenever a Brahmin, content with whatever comes, remains steadfast in his duty, he fulfills all desires. Even the lord of the gods wanders restlessly if discontent; but one who is content, though possessing nothing, sleeps free from affliction. I bow my head to those Brahmins who are content, virtuous, humble, peaceful, and the best friends to all beings.” Krishna then asked, “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 Krishna, who had assumed a human form for his pastimes, the Brahmin narrated Rukmini’s message to him. Rukmini’s words were filled with longing and devotion: “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, my heart is captivated. O Mukunda, what noble maiden of discernment would not choose you as her husband—you, who are unmatched 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 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 Damaghosha 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 Rakshasas. If you wonder how I, kept within the inner chambers and guarded by relatives, may 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 Girija. Great souls desire to bathe in the dust of your lotus feet, just as the Lord of Uma 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 princess of Vidarbha. Consider what should be done, and act accordingly.” Hearing the message from Rukmini, the princess of Vidarbha, Krishna, son of the Yadus, took the Brahmin by the hand, smiled, and spoke warmly. “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 and flawless in form, like the sacred flame.” Knowing the auspicious time for Rukmini’s wedding, Krishna, Madhusudana, instructed his charioteer, “Daruka, quickly yoke the chariot.” Daruka brought the chariot, yoked with the swift horses Shaibya, Sugriva, Meghapushpa, and Balahaka, and stood before Krishna with joined palms. Krishna mounted the chariot, placed the Brahmin upon it, and with the swift horses, traveled from Anarta to Vidarbha in a single night. Meanwhile, the king of Kundina, out of deep affection for his son, began preparations to give his daughter to Shishupala. 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 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, chanting from the Sama, Rig, and Yajur Vedas, while the chief priest versed in Atharva Veda offered oblations to pacify planetary influences. The king, skilled in proper rites, gave gold, silver, garments, sesame mixed with jaggery, and cows to the Brahmins. King Damaghosha, lord of Cedi, arranged everything for his son’s prosperity, employing experts in mantras. With intoxicated elephants, chariots adorned with gold, and armies crowded with infantry and horses, he proceeded to Kundina. The king of Vidarbha welcomed 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 claim her. All the kings, with their full armies and vehicles, assembled, their minds fixed on battling Krishna.