When Krishna entered the cave in search of the precious Syamantaka jewel, Jāmbavān, the mighty king of the bears, confronted him. But after a fierce struggle, Jāmbavān recognized Krishna’s true nature and, overjoyed, honored him by offering his own daughter, Jāmbavatī, in marriage, along with the jewel itself. Meanwhile, outside the cave, the people waited anxiously for Krishna’s return. Twelve days passed in sorrow, and when Krishna did not emerge, they despaired and returned to their city, hearts heavy with grief. News reached Devakī, Krishna’s mother, as well as his queen Rukmiṇī, his father Vasudeva, and all their friends and relatives. Overwhelmed by the thought that Krishna might be lost, they mourned deeply. The citizens of Dvārakā, stricken with grief, blamed Satrājit, the previous owner of the jewel, for the calamity and, desperate for news of Krishna, turned to the goddess Candra-bhāgā, Durgā, seeking her blessing through worship. Moved by their devotion, the goddess instructed them and assured them with her blessing. Soon after, Krishna, having accomplished his purpose, appeared before them, radiant and accompanied by his new wife Jāmbavatī, filling everyone with immense joy. When the people saw Krishna, adorned with the recovered jewel and accompanied by his consort, it was as if he had returned from the realm of the dead; the city erupted in celebration and festivity. Krishna then summoned Satrājit to the royal assembly and, in the presence of the king, recounted the story of the jewel’s recovery. He graciously presented the jewel back to Satrājit. Satrājit, however, was consumed by shame. Taking the jewel, he returned home with his head bowed, tormented by the weight of his past misdeeds. Deeply troubled, he pondered how he might cleanse himself of this sin and regain Krishna’s favor. “How can I restore my honor and avoid being condemned as greedy and foolish?” he wondered. Resolving to make amends, he decided to offer Krishna his daughter, Satyabhāmā—a woman of exceptional virtue and beauty—along with the Syamantaka jewel itself. “This,” he thought, “is the only proper way to seek forgiveness.” With his mind thus made up, Satrājit personally brought his noble daughter and the jewel to Krishna and offered them both. Krishna duly married Satyabhāmā, who was admired by many for her character and beauty. Yet Krishna, ever gracious, declined to keep the jewel. “O King,” he said, “we do not accept the jewel. Let it remain with you, a devotee of the gods, while we partake of its benefit.” Some time later, Śuka continued, Krishna, the Supreme Person, set out for Indraprastha, accompanied by his attendants such as Yuyudhāna, to visit the Pāṇḍavas. When the heroic sons of Pāṇḍu saw Krishna, the Lord of all, arrive, they rose together, as if life itself had returned to them. They embraced Acyuta, and all their distress melted away at the touch of his limbs, rejoicing in the sight of his affectionate, smiling face. Krishna offered obeisance at the feet of Yudhiṣṭhira and Bhīma, embraced Arjuna, and was honored by the twins, Nakula and Sahadeva. Draupadī, recently married and somewhat bashful, approached Krishna respectfully as he sat upon the chief seat. In the same way, Satyaki and the other honored companions took their seats nearby. Krishna then approached Kuntī, the mother of the Pāṇḍavas, and offered his salutations. She embraced him warmly, her eyes moist with deep affection, and he inquired about her well-being, that of her daughters-in-law, her sister, and all her relatives. Remembering the many hardships she had endured, and the vision of the Self that comes after suffering, Kuntī spoke to Krishna with a voice choked by love and eyes filled with tears. “Our well-being truly began only when we gained a protector—when my brother sent us to you, O Krishna. For you, who are the friend and Self of all, there is no division of ‘us’ and ‘them’; yet, dwelling in the heart, you always dispel the sorrows of those who remember you.” Yudhiṣṭhira then addressed Krishna: “What good deeds have we left undone, O Lord? For you, who are rarely seen even by the greatest yogis, have been seen by us, who are of little wisdom.” Thus requested by the king, Krishna remained in Indraprastha for several months, delighting the eyes and hearts of all its people. One day, Arjuna, the mighty conqueror, mounted his chariot bearing the banner of Hanuman, armed with his Gāṇḍīva bow and inexhaustible quivers. Together with Krishna, fully armed, he entered a great forest teeming with wild beasts, eager for the sport of the hunt. There, Arjuna struck down tigers, boars, buffaloes, antelopes, sarabhas, wild oxen, rhinoceroses, deer, hares, and porcupines with his arrows. The attendants gathered these sanctified animals to present them to King Yudhiṣṭhira as a festival approached. Parched with thirst and weary from exertion, Arjuna went to the Yamunā River. After purifying themselves and drinking the clear water, Krishna and Arjuna, those two mighty warriors, saw a maiden of enchanting beauty wandering nearby. Approaching her, Arjuna, at Krishna’s request, questioned the noble woman of radiant form: “Who are you, O slender-waisted one? Whose daughter are you, and from where do you come? What is your purpose here? I think you seek a husband. Tell me everything, O beautiful one.” The maiden replied, “I am Kālindī, daughter of the sun god Sūrya. I seek a husband and have undertaken severe austerities, desiring Viṣṇu, the bestower of boons, as my chosen lord. I will accept no one else but him, the abode of Śrī. May that blessed Mukunda, the refuge of the shelterless, be pleased with me. Until I behold the infallible one, I dwell in the waters of the Yamunā, in a palace built by my father.” Arjuna relayed her words to Krishna, who understood her heart. Krishna placed Kālindī on his chariot and brought her to King Yudhiṣṭhira. At that time, as instructed, Krishna had the wondrous city of Indraprastha built for the sons of Pritha, crafted in marvelous fashion by the divine architect Vishvakarma. Desiring to please his beloved devotees, Krishna resided there and, in due course, became Arjuna’s charioteer to aid Agni, the fire god, in consuming the Khandava forest. Agni, satisfied by their help, bestowed upon Arjuna a mighty bow, a chariot drawn by white horses, two inexhaustible quivers, impenetrable armor, and divine weapons—thus equipping him for the great deeds yet to come.