When Krishna arrived at Indraprastha, he approached Kuntī with deep reverence, offering his salutations. Kuntī, overcome with motherly affection, embraced him warmly, her eyes moist with tears of joy. Krishna gently inquired after her well-being, as well as that of her daughters-in-law, her sister, and all their relatives. Kuntī, recalling the many hardships she and her family had endured, and the vision of the Self that often comes after suffering, spoke to Krishna. Her voice was choked with love and her eyes glistened with tears as she said, “Only when we found a true protector did our well-being arise. Remembering our kin, O Krishna, my brother was sent to you. For you, who are the friend and very Self of all, there is no division of 'us' and 'them.' Yet, dwelling in every heart, you always dispel the sorrows of those who remember you.” Yudhiṣṭhira then spoke, “What good have we possibly left undone, O Lord? I do not know, for you, who are rarely seen even by the greatest yogis, have been seen by us, though we are of little wisdom.” Thus requested by the king, Krishna stayed in Indraprastha for several months, delighting the eyes and hearts of all the people there. One day, Arjuna, the mighty conqueror, mounted his chariot bearing the banner of Hanuman. He took up his famed Gāṇḍīva bow and inexhaustible quivers. Together with Krishna, both fully armed, he entered a vast forest teeming with wild beasts, seeking to enjoy the sport of hunting, as was the custom of warrior heroes. There, Arjuna’s arrows struck down tigers, boars, buffaloes, antelopes, sarabhas, wild oxen, rhinoceroses, deer, hares, and porcupines. As the festival approached, attendants brought these sanctified animals to the king. Parched with thirst and weary from the hunt, Arjuna made his way to the Yamunā river. There, after performing his purification and drinking the clear water, Arjuna and Krishna beheld a maiden of enchanting beauty wandering nearby. Approaching the noble and radiant maiden, Arjuna, at Krishna’s prompting, addressed her with respect: “Who are you, O slender-waisted one? Whose daughter are you, and from where have you come? What is your purpose here? I sense you seek a husband. Please, tell me everything, O beautiful one.” The maiden replied, “I am Kālindī, daughter of the Sun-god Sūrya. I am seeking a husband, and have undertaken severe austerities, desiring Viṣṇu, the bestower of boons, as my chosen lord. I will choose no other 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.” Hearing her words, Arjuna relayed them to Krishna. Understanding the matter, Krishna placed Kālindī upon his chariot and brought her to King Yudhiṣṭhira. As time passed, Krishna, as instructed, had the wondrous city of Indraprastha built for the sons of Pritha. He had it constructed by Viśvakarma in marvelous fashion. Dwelling there, out of love for his people, Krishna became Arjuna’s charioteer to help give the Khandava forest to Agni, the fire god. Pleased by their service, Agni gifted Arjuna a mighty bow, a chariot with white horses, two inexhaustible quivers, impenetrable armor, and divine weapons. Maya, rescued from the fire, in gratitude constructed a splendid assembly hall—a marvel in which Duryodhana would later be bewildered, mistaking water for land. With the king’s permission and his friends’ approval, Krishna then returned to Dvārakā, accompanied by Satyaki and others. At an auspicious time, Krishna married Kālindī, spreading supreme joy among his people and bringing the highest good. Meanwhile, Vinda and Anuvinda, the princes of Avanti and followers of Duryodhana, prevented their sister Mitravinda, who was devoted to Krishna, from choosing her own husband at her svayamvara. Yet Krishna, undeterred, took Mitravinda by force as all the assembled kings looked on. There was also a king named Nagnajit, ruler of Kosala, renowned for his righteousness. His daughter was Satyā, also called Nagnajiti. None of the assembled kings could win her hand without first subduing seven fierce, sharp-horned, untamable bulls, proud of their strength. Hearing of this contest, Krishna, master of the Sātvatas, journeyed to Kosala, surrounded by a great army. The king of Kosala, pleased by Krishna’s arrival, honored him with all marks of respect—rising, seating, and welcoming him reverently. Seeing the suitor she desired had arrived, the princess Satyā longed for the Lord of Lakshmi, thinking, “If my vow is true, may this man become my husband and fulfill all my wishes. He whose lotus feet are worshipped by Lakshmi, Brahma, Shiva, and the guardians of the worlds—he who built a bridge in play—how could such a Lord be satisfied with me?” Worshipped again, Krishna, Lord of the universe, said, “What could I, who am full in my own bliss, do with something meager?” Delighted, Krishna accepted the seat and, with a voice deep as a cloud, smiling, spoke to King Nagnajit: “O King, begging is condemned by sages for a kshatriya who follows his own duty. Yet, desiring your friendship, I ask for your daughter—not for a bride-price, for we do not give that.” The king replied, “Who else, O Lord, is greater or more desirable as a suitor for my daughter, when the unfailing goddess of fortune dwells upon your person, the sole abode of all virtues? But, O best of the Sātvatas, we had previously made an agreement: in order to test the strength of suitors, the hand of my daughter would be won through a contest. These seven fierce and unmanageable bulls have defeated and injured many princes who tried. If you alone, O delight of the Yadus, can subdue them, then you shall be the chosen husband of my daughter, O Lord of Śrī.” Hearing this, Krishna fastened his garment, multiplied himself into seven forms, and playfully subdued the seven bulls. He bound them with ropes, having broken their pride and strength, and dragged them as easily as a child drags wooden toys.