Having performed their purification rites and quenched their thirst with clear water, the two mighty warriors, Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, beheld a maiden of remarkable beauty wandering nearby. Her radiant form and noble bearing caught their attention, and Arjuna, at the behest of his dear friend Kṛṣṇa, approached the auspicious young woman to inquire about her identity. With gentle courtesy, Arjuna addressed her: “O slender-waisted lady, whose daughter are you, and whence have you come? What is your purpose here? I sense you may be seeking a husband. Please, O beautiful one, tell me everything.” The maiden replied with dignity and candor: “O noble prince, I am Kālindī, daughter of the sun-god Sūrya. I have come here seeking a husband and am undertaking severe austerities, desiring Viṣṇu, the bestower of boons, as my chosen lord. I have chosen no other; may the 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 returned to Vāsudeva and related all that had transpired. Understanding the maiden’s heart, Kṛṣṇa welcomed her onto his chariot and brought her to King Yudhiṣṭhira. Thereafter, as instructed, Kṛṣṇa had the wondrous city built for the sons of Pritha, constructed by Viśvakarma in marvelous fashion. The Blessed Lord, residing there to please his own people, became Arjuna’s charioteer to help Agni consume the Khāṇḍava forest. Agni, satisfied, gifted Arjuna a mighty bow, a chariot with white horses, two inexhaustible quivers, impenetrable armor, and divine weapons. Maya, whom they had rescued from the fire, out of gratitude built a magnificent assembly hall for them—a hall so wondrous that Duryodhana himself was bewildered, unable to distinguish water from solid ground. Having fulfilled these tasks and with the approval of his friends, Kṛṣṇa returned to Dvārakā, accompanied by Satyaki and others. He then married Kālindī at an auspicious time, bringing supreme joy and the highest good to his people. In those days, Vinda and Anuvinda, the princes of Avanti and followers of Duryodhana, prevented their sister Mitravindā, who was devoted to Kṛṣṇa, from choosing her own husband at the svayamvara. Kṛṣṇa, undeterred, seized Mitravindā before the assembled kings, for she was the daughter of the chief queen and his father’s sister. There was also a king named Nagnajit, ruler of Kośala, famed for his righteousness. His daughter, Satyā—also called Nagnijiti—was sought by many, but her father had declared that only one who could subdue seven fierce, sharp-horned, untamable bulls would win her hand. Many princes had tried and been defeated or injured by these proud beasts. Hearing of this challenge, Kṛṣṇa, Lord of the Sātvatas, journeyed to Kośala with a great army. King Nagnajit, delighted by Kṛṣṇa’s arrival, honored him with all due respect and reverence. The princess Satyā, seeing the Lord of Lakṣmī, longed for him in her heart, praying that her vow might be fulfilled and that Kṛṣṇa would become her husband. She wondered how she, so insignificant in comparison, could ever satisfy the Lord whose feet are worshipped by Lakṣmī, Brahmā, Śiva, and all the guardians of the worlds, and who, in sport, had built a bridge for his own purposes. Worshipped again, Nārāyaṇa, Lord of the universe, smiling, declared: “What need have I, who am full in my own bliss, for anything meager?” Then, with a voice deep as thunder, he addressed King Nagnajit, saying, “O King, though begging is condemned for a kṣatriya, out of desire for your friendship, I ask for your daughter—not for a bride-price, for we do not give that.” The king replied, “O Lord, who could be a more worthy suitor for my daughter, when the goddess of fortune herself dwells upon your person, the sole abode of all virtues? Yet, O best of the Sātvatas, we have an agreement: only he who subdues the seven fierce bulls may win her hand. Many have tried and failed.” Accepting the challenge, Kṛṣṇa fastened his garment, multiplied himself into seven forms, and with playful ease subdued the bulls. He bound them with ropes, breaking their pride and strength, and dragged them as effortlessly as a child would drag wooden toys. Amazed and delighted, King Nagnajit gave his daughter Satyā to Kṛṣṇa, who accepted her with all due propriety. The royal mothers, overjoyed to have Kṛṣṇa as their son-in-law, celebrated with a grand festival. Conch shells, kettledrums, and trumpets resounded; songs and music filled the air, and brāhmaṇas offered their blessings. Men and women adorned themselves with fine garments, garlands, and ornaments, rejoicing in the auspicious union. As dowry, the Lord gave ten thousand cows and three thousand young women adorned with necklaces and fine clothes, as well as 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 great army, the king of Kośala, his heart softened with affection, sent them forth. Hearing of this, the kings who had been defeated by the Yadus and the bulls, unable to bear their humiliation, tried to block the procession as the maiden was being led away. Arjuna, wielder of Gāṇḍīva and beloved friend, scattered their volleys of arrows, felling them as a lion fells small beasts. Thus, having received the dowry, the foremost of the Yadus, the Lord, son of Devakī, enjoyed happiness with Satyā in Dvārakā. Kṛṣṇa also married Bhadrā, the daughter of Śrutakīrti, his paternal aunt, a princess of the Kaikeyas, who was given to him by her brothers, such as Santardana.