Śuka began: As the auspicious hour for Rukmiṇī’s wedding approached, Madhusūdana—Lord Krishna—became aware of the moment. He turned to his charioteer and said, “Dāruka, quickly yoke the chariot.” Dāruka at once prepared the magnificent chariot, harnessing to it the four swift horses: Śaibya, Sugrīva, Meghapuṣpa, and Balāhaka. With palms joined in reverence, he presented the chariot before Krishna. Krishna, the descendant of Śura, mounted the chariot, placing the brāhmaṇa messenger beside him. With the horses galloping at great speed, they traversed the distance from Ānarta to Vidarbha in a single night. Meanwhile, the king of Kuṇḍina, out of deep affection for his son, began the elaborate preparations to marry his daughter, Rukmiṇī, to Śiśupāla. The city was cleaned and sprinkled with water; its roads, streets, and crossroads were adorned with colorful flags, banners, and decorative arches. Men and women, dressed in spotless garments, wore garlands and fragrant flowers, their bodies adorned with ornaments. The splendid houses were perfumed with aguru incense, filling the air with an auspicious fragrance. The king, observing all proper customs, worshipped the ancestors, the gods, and the brāhmaṇas, feeding them sumptuously and having auspicious rites recited. Rukmiṇī, the beautiful princess, was bathed and adorned for the ceremony, dressed in the finest garments and decorated with exquisite ornaments. Foremost brāhmaṇas performed protective rites for the bride, chanting mantras from the Sāma, Ṛg, and Yajur Vedas, while the chief priest, well-versed in the Atharva Veda, offered oblations to pacify the planets. The king, best among those who observe the rites, gave gifts of gold, silver, garments, sesame mixed with jaggery, and cows to the brāhmaṇas. At the same time, King Damaghoṣa, lord of Cedi and Śiśupāla’s father, arranged everything necessary for his son’s prosperity, employing experts in sacred mantras. With elephants intoxicated for the occasion, chariots adorned with gold, and armies teeming with infantry and horses, he set out for Kuṇḍina. Upon his arrival, the king of Vidarbha welcomed him with honor and joy, settling him into accommodations prepared for the occasion. Soon, other powerful kings arrived—Śālva, Jarāsandha, Dantavaktra, Vidūratha, and thousands of allied warriors from Chedi and Pauṇḍra. These kings, enemies of Krishna and Balarāma, had gathered with the intention of securing Rukmiṇī for the Chedi prince. They were determined to fight if Krishna, accompanied by the Yadus, attempted to take her. All the assembled kings, with their full armies and vehicles, set their minds on battle, prepared for any challenge. When Lord Balarāma heard of this formidable gathering and the possibility of conflict, he learned that Krishna had gone alone to claim the maiden. Moved by deep affection for his brother, Balarāma quickly set out for Kuṇḍina, leading a mighty force of elephants, horses, chariots, and infantry. Within the palace, the princess of Bhīṣmaka—Rukmiṇī, noble and radiant—longed for Hari’s arrival. Yet, seeing no sign of him, she pondered the words of the brāhmaṇa messenger. She thought, “Alas, three nights have passed since my wedding was set, though I am blameless. The lotus-eyed one does not come, and I do not know the reason. The brāhmaṇa who carried my message has not returned even today. Perhaps, seeing some fault in me, the faultless one now hesitates to take my hand in marriage, though he had resolved to do so. My fate is unfortunate; the creator is not favorable to me, nor is the great lord Shiva, nor the goddess Gaurī, Rudrāṇī, Girijā, or Satī.” Thus, her mind captivated by Govinda, reflecting on the passage of time, the young maiden closed her tear-filled eyes. As she waited for Govinda’s arrival, her left thigh, arm, and eye—all beloved for their auspiciousness—began to tremble, signaling some momentous event. At that very moment, as instructed by Krishna, the foremost brāhmaṇa entered the inner chambers and saw the princess. She beheld him with a delighted face and a steady mind. Skilled in reading signs, she questioned him, her smile pure and radiant. The brāhmaṇa told her that the son of the Yadu dynasty had arrived and conveyed Krishna’s truthful words regarding the self-choice marriage. Knowing that Krishna had come, the princess of Vidarbha felt her heart fill with joy; out of modesty and affection, she did not look directly at the brāhmaṇa, for he was dear to her in another way. Meanwhile, eager to witness his daughter’s wedding and hearing of Krishna’s arrival, Balarāma and Krishna entered the city to the sound of musical instruments, receiving all proper honors. They were brought honey and milk, pure garments, and desired gifts, and were worshipped according to the prescribed rites. A splendid residence was prepared for them, their armies, and attendants, and all appropriate hospitality was offered. The assembled kings, too, were honored according to their valor, age, strength, and wealth, receiving all the offerings they desired. Hearing that Krishna had arrived, the citizens of Vidarbha flocked to see him, drinking in the beauty of his lotus face with hands respectfully raised to their eyes. They whispered among themselves, “Only Rukmiṇī is fit to be his wife, not another; and he, flawless in nature, is the proper husband for Bhīṣmaka’s daughter. Whatever little good we have done, by that the creator of the three worlds is pleased; may Achyuta accept, accept the hand of the Vidarbha princess.” Thus, bound by the thread of love, the townspeople spoke. Meanwhile, the maiden, Rukmiṇī, left the inner chambers to go to the temple of Ambikā, surrounded and guarded by soldiers. She walked on foot, intent on seeing the tender feet of Bhavānī, yet her heart was fully absorbed in contemplation of the lotus feet of Mukunda. Surrounded by her mothers and friends, and guarded by brave royal soldiers clad in armor and bearing raised weapons, she proceeded to the temple. The air resounded with the sounds of drums, conches, cymbals, trumpets, and kettle-drums. Thousands of noble women, richly adorned, accompanied her, bringing various offerings, garlands, perfumes, garments, and ornaments for the priests. Singers and musicians surrounded the bride, singing and praising her, joined by bards, genealogists, and heralds, as the auspicious procession advanced.