The heroes, weary from their trials, were embraced by Acyuta—Śrī Kṛṣṇa himself. The mere touch of his divine limbs freed them from all distress, and as they gazed upon his affectionate, smiling face, their hearts overflowed with joy. Kṛṣṇa then approached Yudhiṣṭhira and Bhīma, bowing in reverence at their feet. He embraced Arjuna warmly, and the twins greeted him with honor and respect. Kṛṣṇā, recently married and still somewhat shy, came forward and offered her respectful greetings to Kṛṣṇa, who sat upon the chief seat. Satyaki, too, was honored and respectfully received by the Pāṇḍavas, and he, along with others who were similarly welcomed, took his seat among them. Kṛṣṇa then approached Kuntī, offering his salutations. Kuntī embraced him tightly, her eyes brimming with tears of deep affection. He gently inquired after her welfare, that of her daughters-in-law, her sister, and all her family. Kuntī, recalling the many hardships she had endured and the vision of the Self that arises after suffering, spoke to Kṛṣṇa with a voice choked by love and eyes wet with tears. She said, “Only when we gained a protector did our well-being truly arise. Remembering our kin, O Kṛṣṇa, my brother was sent to you. For you, who are the friend and Self of all, there is no distinction of ‘us’ and ‘them.’ Yet, dwelling within the heart, you always dispel the sorrows of those who remember you.” Yudhiṣṭhira then addressed Kṛṣṇa, saying, “What merit have we left undone? I do not know, O Lord, for you—who are rarely seen even by the greatest yogis—have appeared before us, who possess so little wisdom.” At the king’s request, Kṛṣṇa remained at Indraprastha for several months, delighting the eyes and hearts of all its people. One day, Arjuna, the mighty conqueror, mounted his chariot adorned with the banner of Hanuman. He took up his mighty Gāṇḍīva bow and inexhaustible quivers. Together with Kṛṣṇa, both fully armed, they entered a vast forest teeming with wild beasts, eager for the sport of the hunt. There, Arjuna’s arrows struck down tigers, boars, buffaloes, antelopes, sarabhas, wild oxen, rhinoceroses, deer, hares, and porcupines. As a festival approached, attendants brought these sanctified animals to King Yudhiṣṭhira. Parched and weary from the hunt, Arjuna went to the Yamunā river. After purifying themselves and drinking the clear water, Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, those two mighty warriors, beheld a maiden of enchanting beauty wandering nearby. Approaching the noble and radiant maiden, Arjuna—at Kṛṣṇa’s behest—addressed her, “Who are you, slender-waisted one? Whose daughter are you, and from where do you come? What is your purpose here? I sense 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 choose no other. May that blessed Mukunda, 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 all this to Vāsudeva, who, understanding everything, placed Kālindī upon the chariot and brought her to King Yudhiṣṭhira. In due course, as instructed, Kṛṣṇa had a wondrous city built for the sons of Pritha, crafted marvelously by Viśvakarmā. The Blessed Lord resided there, desiring to please his people. Later, to grant the Khaṇḍava forest to Agni, he became Arjuna’s charioteer. Agni, satisfied, bestowed upon Arjuna a bow, a chariot with white horses, two inexhaustible quivers, impenetrable armor, and divine weapons. Maya, rescued from the fire, brought a magnificent assembly hall as a token of friendship—a hall in which Duryodhana, later, would be bewildered, mistaking water for land. When permitted and approved by his friends, Kṛṣṇa returned to Dvārakā, accompanied by Satyaki and others. At the auspicious time, he married Kālindī, bringing supreme joy to his people and the highest good. Meanwhile, Vinda and Anuvinda, princes of Avanti and allies of Duryodhana, prevented their sister Mitravindā—who was devoted to Kṛṣṇa—from choosing her own husband at her svayaṃvara. Undeterred, Kṛṣṇa forcibly took Mitravindā, the daughter of his father’s sister and the chief queen, before the eyes of all the assembled kings. There was also a king named Nagnajit, ruler of Kosala, famed for his righteousness. His daughter was Satyā, also called Nagnajitī. None of the kings could win her without first subduing seven fierce, sharp-horned, untamable bulls, proud of their strength. Hearing of this challenge, the Lord, master of the Sātvatas, went to Kosala with a great army. King Nagnajit welcomed him with honor, rising to greet him, offering a seat, and showing every mark of respect. Satyā, seeing the suitor she had desired arrive, yearned for the Lord of Lakṣmī, silently praying, “If my vow is true, may this man become my husband and fulfill all my wishes.” Yet she wondered, “He whose lotus feet are worshipped by Lakṣmī, Brahmā, Śiva, and the guardians of the worlds—he who built a bridge for his own purposes—how could such a Lord be content with me?” Worshipped again by the king, Nārāyaṇa, Lord of the universe, spoke, “What need have I, who am full in my own bliss, for anything meager?” Śuka continued: The Blessed Lord, accepting the seat and delighted, spoke to the king with a voice deep as thunder and a gentle smile. “O King,” said Kṛṣṇa, “it is not fitting for a kṣatriya to beg, as sages condemn this for one who follows his own dharma. Yet, desiring your friendship, I ask for your daughter’s hand—not for a bride-price, for we do not give that.” King Nagnajit replied, “Who else, O Lord, could be a greater, more desirable suitor for my daughter, when the unfailing goddess of fortune herself dwells upon you, the sole abode of all virtues? Yet, O best of the Sātvatas, I have made a prior agreement: to test the strength of suitors, my daughter’s hand must be won through a contest with the seven fierce bulls.” Thus, the Lord prepared to meet the challenge.