In the royal assembly, Lord Krishna summoned Satrājit before the king and all present. There, Krishna recounted how he had recovered the precious Syamantaka jewel and, with noble generosity, presented it to Satrājit. Overcome with shame, Satrājit accepted the gem, his face downcast, and returned home, tormented by the weight of his own misdeeds. Deeply disturbed by remorse and inner conflict, Satrājit pondered how he might cleanse himself of his sin and win the favor of Acyuta, Krishna. He worried about his reputation, longing that people would not judge him as foolish, petty, or greedy for wealth. After much deliberation, Satrājit resolved: he would offer Krishna his daughter, Satyabhāmā—a jewel among women—along with the Syamantaka gem itself. This, he decided, was the only proper way to atone and seek Krishna’s appeasement. With his mind made up, Satrājit personally brought his virtuous daughter and the jewel to Krishna, offering both in humility. Krishna, recognizing Satyabhāmā’s noble qualities, beauty, and character—so highly sought by many—accepted her hand in marriage. Yet, regarding the jewel, the Lord graciously declined, saying, “We do not accept the jewel, O King. Let it remain with you, a devotee of the gods, while we partake of its benefit.” Some time later, Śuka narrates, Krishna, adorned with his attendants such as Yuyudhāna, journeyed to Indraprastha to visit the Pāṇḍavas. As Mukunda, the Lord of all, arrived, the heroic sons of Pāṇḍu rose together, as if life itself had returned to them. They embraced Acyuta, and the touch of his limbs freed them from all distress. Gazing upon Krishna’s affectionate, smiling face, their hearts rejoiced. Krishna offered obeisance at the feet of Yudhiṣṭhira and Bhīma, warmly embraced Arjuna, and was honored by the twins, Nakula and Sahadeva. Draupadī, recently married and somewhat bashful, approached Krishna respectfully and greeted him as he sat on the chief seat. Satyaki, honored by the Pāṇḍavas, took his seat, as did others who were respectfully received. Krishna then approached Kuntī, offering his salutations. Kuntī embraced him, her eyes moist with deep affection. Krishna inquired about her welfare, as well as that of her daughters-in-law, her sister, and all her relatives. Remembering the many hardships she and her family had endured, and the vision of the Self that comes after suffering, Kuntī spoke to Krishna with a voice choked by love and tears in her eyes. She said, “Only then did our well-being arise, when we gained a protector; remembering our kin, O Krishna, my brother was sent to you.” She acknowledged Krishna as the friend and Self of all, for whom there is no confusion of ‘us’ and ‘them’; dwelling in the heart, he always dispels the sorrows of those who remember him. Yudhiṣṭhira, too, expressed his gratitude, wondering what good they had left undone, for Krishna—rarely seen even by the masters of yoga—had graced them, who were of little wisdom, with his presence. Thus, at the king’s request, Krishna stayed in Indraprastha for several months, delighting the eyes of all its people. One day, Arjuna, the conqueror, mounted his chariot bearing the banner of Hanuman. He took up his Gāṇḍīva bow and inexhaustible quivers, and together with Krishna, fully armed, entered a great forest teeming with wild beasts, seeking sport. There, Arjuna struck tigers, boars, buffaloes, antelopes, sarabhas, wild oxen, rhinoceroses, deer, hares, and porcupines with his arrows. The attendants brought these sanctified animals to the king as a festival approached. Parched with thirst and weary, Arjuna went to the Yamunā. There, after purifying himself and drinking clear water, Krishna and Arjuna saw a maiden of enchanting beauty wandering nearby. Approaching her, Arjuna—sent by Krishna—questioned her: “Who are you, O slender-waisted one? Whose daughter are you, and from where do you come? What do you intend? I think you seek a husband. Tell me everything, O beautiful one.” The maiden replied, “I am Kālindī, daughter of the god Sūrya, seeking a husband. I have undertaken severe austerities, desiring Viṣṇu, the bestower of boons, as my chosen lord. I choose no other husband but him, the abode of Śrī; may that blessed Mukunda, the refuge of the shelterless, be pleased with me. Known as Kālindī, I dwell in the waters of the Yamunā, in a palace built by my father, until I behold the infallible one.” Arjuna conveyed her words to Vāsudeva, Krishna. Understanding her heart’s desire, Krishna placed Kālindī on his chariot and brought her to King Yudhiṣṭhira. When Krishna, as requested, had the wondrous city built for the sons of Pritha, he had it constructed in marvelous fashion by Vishvakarma. Residing there to please his own people, Krishna then became Arjuna’s charioteer to assist in giving the Khandava forest to Agni. Agni, satisfied, gifted Arjuna a bow, a chariot with white horses, two inexhaustible quivers, impenetrable armor, and divine weapons. Maya, rescued from the fire, brought a great assembly hall as a token of friendship—a hall in which Duryodhana was bewildered, mistaking water for land. When Krishna was permitted by Yudhiṣṭhira and approved by his friends, he returned again to Dvaraka, surrounded by Satyaki and others. There, at the auspicious time and season, Krishna married Kālindī, spreading supreme joy among his people and bringing the highest good. Meanwhile, Vinda and Anuvinda, the Avanti princes and followers of Duryodhana, prevented their sister Mitravinda—who was attached to Krishna—from choosing her own husband at the svayamvara. Krishna, undeterred, forcibly took Mitravinda, the daughter of the chief queen and his father’s sister, as all the assembled kings looked on. There was also a king named Nagnajit, ruler of Kosala, renowned for his righteousness. His daughter, Satyā—also called Nagnajiti—was famed for her virtues. Thus, Krishna’s life continued, filled with noble deeds, marriages, and the joy he brought to all who encountered him.