As the time for a great festival drew near, the royal attendants brought forth the sanctified animals to King Yudhiṣṭhira. Meanwhile, Arjuna, parched with thirst and weary from his exertions, made his way to the sacred Yamunā river. There, accompanied by the mighty Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna performed his ablutions and drank the cool, clear water. As the two heroes rested by the riverside, their eyes fell upon a maiden of enchanting beauty, wandering alone nearby. Approaching her with reverence, Arjuna, at Kṛṣṇa’s behest, addressed the noble and radiant maiden. “Who are you, O slender-waisted one? Whose daughter are you, and from where do you come? What brings you here? I sense you seek a husband. Please, tell me everything, O beautiful one.” The maiden replied, “O noble hero, I am Kālindī, daughter of the sun god Sūrya. I dwell within these Yamunā waters, in a palace my father built for me. I have undertaken severe austerities, seeking none but Viṣṇu, the bestower of all boons, as my chosen husband. I desire no other; may that blessed Mukunda, the refuge of the shelterless, be pleased with me.” Hearing her words, Arjuna conveyed the matter to Vāsudeva Kṛṣṇa. Understanding her devotion and purpose, Kṛṣṇa gently placed Kālindī upon his chariot and brought her before King Yudhiṣṭhira. At that time, following the king’s wishes, Kṛṣṇa had the wondrous city of Indraprastha constructed for the Pāṇḍavas. The divine architect Viśvakarmā built it in marvelous fashion, and Kṛṣṇa, desiring to please his friends, resided there for a time. He became Arjuna’s charioteer and, together, they aided Agni, the fire god, in consuming the Khaṇḍava forest. Pleased, Agni rewarded Arjuna with a mighty bow, a chariot drawn by white horses, two inexhaustible quivers, impenetrable armor, and celestial weapons. From the flames, the demon architect Maya was rescued. In gratitude, Maya built a magnificent assembly hall for the Pāṇḍavas—a hall so wondrous that Duryodhana was later bewildered within it, mistaking water for solid land. Having fulfilled these purposes, and with the approval of his friends, Kṛṣṇa returned to Dvārakā, accompanied by Sātyaki and his companions. There, at an auspicious time, he wed Kālindī, spreading great joy among his people and bringing supreme good fortune. In those days, the Avanti princes Vinda and Anuvinda, loyal to Duryodhana, prevented their sister Mitravindā—who was devoted to Kṛṣṇa—from choosing her own husband at her svayamvara. But Kṛṣṇa, undaunted, seized Mitravindā before the assembled kings and took her as his bride. Elsewhere, in the kingdom of Kosala, there ruled a righteous king named Nagnajit. His daughter, Satyā—also called Nagnajitī—was famed for her beauty and virtue. The king had decreed that only he who could subdue seven fierce, sharp-horned, untamable bulls would win her hand. Many princes had tried, but all were defeated and wounded by the proud beasts. Hearing of this challenge, Kṛṣṇa, Lord of the Sātvatas, journeyed to Kosala with a great army. King Nagnajit welcomed him with honor and reverence, rising to greet him and offering him a seat. Satyā, seeing the Lord she desired had arrived, prayed in her heart: “If my vow is true, may this man become my husband and fulfill all my wishes.” Yet she wondered, “He whose lotus feet are worshiped by Lakṣmī, Brahmā, Śiva, and all the guardians of the worlds—he who built a bridge across the ocean in play—how could such a Lord accept me?” Worshipped once more, Nārāyaṇa, Lord of the universe, smiled and said, “What could I, who am full in my own bliss, do with something meager?” Then, with a voice deep as thunderclouds, he addressed the king: “O King, though begging is not the way of a kṣatriya, I seek your friendship and ask for your daughter’s hand—not for a bride-price, for that is not our custom.” King Nagnajit replied, “Who else, O Lord, is greater or more worthy as a suitor for my daughter, when the goddess of fortune herself dwells upon you? Yet, O best of the Sātvatas, I have made a vow: only he who subdues these seven wild bulls may win my daughter. Many princes have tried and been defeated. If you, O delight of the Yadus, can accomplish this, then you shall be her husband.” Hearing this, Kṛṣṇa fastened his garment, multiplied himself into seven forms, and, with playful ease, subdued the bulls. Breaking their pride and strength, he bound them with ropes as a child tames wooden toys. Amazed and overjoyed, King Nagnajit gave his daughter Satyā to Kṛṣṇa, who accepted her in proper form as his equal bride. The royal women rejoiced, having Kṛṣṇa as their beloved son-in-law, and a great festival arose. Conch shells, kettledrums, and trumpets resounded; songs and music filled the air, and the brāhmaṇas pronounced their blessings. Men and women, adorned with fine garments, garlands, and ornaments, celebrated in delight. Kṛṣṇa gave a splendid dowry: ten thousand cows, three thousand maidens adorned with necklaces and fine clothes, nine thousand elephants, chariots a hundred times more than elephants, horses a hundred times more than chariots, and men a hundred times more than horses. Placing the couple on a chariot, surrounded by a mighty army, the king of Kosala, his heart filled with affection, sent them forth. But the kings who had failed in the contest, their pride wounded, could not bear their defeat. They gathered to block the procession as the maiden was being led away. Arjuna, wielder of Gāṇḍīva and dear friend of Kṛṣṇa, scattered their volleys of arrows, felling them as a lion fells lesser beasts. Thus, having received the dowry, the foremost of the Yadus, Lord Kṛṣṇa, son of Devakī, returned to Dvārakā and enjoyed happiness with Satyā, his newly-wedded queen.