King Damaghosha, ruler of Cedi, performed every sacred rite with utmost care. He worshipped the ancestors, the gods, and the brāhmaṇas, feeding them according to tradition and ensuring that auspicious mantras were recited throughout the ceremonies. Within the palace, the beautiful princess was prepared for the wedding. Fresh from her bath, she was adorned in the finest garments and radiant ornaments, every detail arranged to enhance her grace for the auspicious occasion. The foremost Brahmins assembled and performed protective rituals for the bride, chanting sacred verses from the Sama, Rig, and Yajur Vedas. The chief priest, well-versed in the Atharva Veda, offered oblations to pacify planetary influences, ensuring all omens were favorable. King Damaghosha, ever mindful of proper conduct, generously gifted the Brahmins with gold, silver, fine clothes, sesame mixed with jaggery, and herds of cows. Thus, he arranged everything necessary for his son’s prosperity, engaging experts skilled in sacred mantras. With all preparations complete, Damaghosha set out for Kundina, the city of King Bhishmaka, leading a grand procession. Intoxicated elephants, golden chariots, and armies teeming with infantry and horses accompanied him. Upon arrival, King Bhishmaka, ruler of Vidarbha, warmly welcomed Damaghosha. He honored his guest and arranged splendid accommodations, his heart full of joy. Soon, other powerful kings arrived—Shalva, Jarasandha, Dantavaktra, Viduratha—and countless allies from Chedi and Paundra. These kings, all adversaries of Krishna and Balarama, were determined to see the maiden wed to the Chedi prince. They gathered with their armies, resolved to fight should Krishna and the Yadavas attempt to claim her. As these kings assembled, prepared for battle, word of their intentions reached Lord Balarama. Concerned about impending conflict, Balarama learned that Krishna had already gone alone to Kundina to win the hand of the princess. Filled with brotherly affection, Balarama quickly mustered a great force—elephants, horses, chariots, and infantry—and set out for Kundina. Meanwhile, the princess of Bhishmaka, noble and graceful, yearned for Krishna’s arrival. Days passed with no sign of him, and she pondered the words of the Brahmin messenger. “Alas,” she thought, “three nights have gone by since my wedding. I am blameless, yet the lotus-eyed one has not come. I know not why. The Brahmin who carried my message has not returned either.” She wondered if Krishna, faultless as he was, had found some fault in her and now hesitated to take her hand, despite his promise. “My destiny is unfortunate,” she lamented. “Neither the creator, nor great Shiva, nor the goddesses Gauri, Rudrani, Girija, or Sati favor me.” Thus, her heart wholly captivated by Govinda, she reflected sorrowfully on the passage of time, closing her tear-filled eyes. As she waited, her left thigh, arm, and eye—limbs known for their auspiciousness—began to tremble, signs beloved for their promise of good fortune. At that moment, the very Brahmin whom Krishna had sent entered the inner chambers and saw the princess. She greeted him with a delighted face and calm mind, her heart skilled in reading omens. Smiling, she questioned him. The Brahmin conveyed Krishna’s message: the son of the Yadu dynasty had arrived, and he relayed Krishna’s truthful words regarding the self-choice marriage. Hearing this, the princess’s heart overflowed with joy. Out of modesty and affection, she did not look directly at the Brahmin, for he was dear to her in another way. Balarama and Krishna, having arrived, were welcomed with the sounds of musical instruments. King Bhishmaka, eager to witness his daughter’s wedding, honored them properly. He brought offerings of honey and milk, pure garments, and other desired gifts, performing every rite with devotion. A splendid residence was prepared for Krishna and Balarama, their armies, and attendants, and they were offered all appropriate hospitality. The assembled kings, too, were honored according to their valor, age, strength, and wealth, and granted every desired offering. When word spread that Krishna had arrived, the people of Vidarbha flocked to see him. With hands joined in reverence, they gazed upon his lotus-like face, convinced that only Rukmini was worthy to be his bride, and that he, flawless in nature, was the true husband for Bhishmaka’s daughter. They prayed, “Whatever little good we have done, may it please the creator of the three worlds. May Achyuta accept the hand of Vidarbha’s princess.” Bound by love, the townspeople spoke thus. Meanwhile, the maiden, escorted by guards, left the inner chambers to go to the temple of Ambika. She proceeded on foot, her thoughts fixed on the tender feet of Bhavani, even as her heart contemplated the lotus feet of Mukunda. She was surrounded by her mothers and friends, and guarded by brave soldiers clad in armor, their weapons raised. The air resounded with the music of drums, conches, cymbals, trumpets, and kettle-drums. Thousands of noblewomen, richly adorned, followed with offerings—garlands, perfumes, garments, and ornaments—for the priests. Singers and musicians sang her praises, while bards, genealogists, and heralds announced her progress. Arriving at the goddess’s abode, the princess washed her hands and feet, purified herself, and entered Ambika’s presence with a peaceful heart. The elderly wives of the Brahmins, wise and experienced, worshipped Ambika, the wife of Bhava, in her company. Bowing before the goddess, the princess prayed, “O Ambika, I bow to you again and again, you who are auspicious and accompanied by your children. May Krishna be my husband. May you be pleased with me.” The Brahmin women, with their husbands, worshipped the goddess with fragrant substances, unbroken rice, incense, garments, garlands, ornaments, various foods, and rows of lamps. They offered salt, cakes, betel leaves, necklaces, fruits, and sugarcane. After the worship, they gave the remnants of the offerings to the princess and blessed her. The bride bowed to them with reverence and accepted the prasada, their sacred gifts.