Kālindī, the radiant daughter of the sun god Sūrya, had devoted herself to severe austerities, longing for Viṣṇu, the bestower of all blessings, as her chosen husband. With unwavering resolve, she declared that she would accept no one but him—the abode of Śrī, the goddess of fortune, and the shelter of all who are without refuge. Until she could behold the infallible Lord, Kālindī chose to dwell in the waters of the Yamunā, residing in a palace built by her father. One day, Arjuna encountered Kālindī and, learning her heart’s desire, spoke to Vāsudeva, Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Understanding the matter, Kṛṣṇa placed Kālindī upon his chariot and brought her to King Yudhiṣṭhira. At that time, following the wishes of his friends, Kṛṣṇa had a wondrous city built for the sons of Pṛthā, fashioned marvelously by Viśvakarmā. Residing there to please his own people, the Lord became Arjuna’s charioteer in the burning of the Khāṇḍava forest, offering the forest to Agni. Pleased, Agni rewarded Arjuna with a mighty bow, a chariot drawn by white horses, two inexhaustible quivers, impenetrable armor, and divine weapons. Maya, saved from the flames, built a magnificent assembly hall as a gesture of friendship—a hall so wondrous that Duryodhana would later be bewildered within, mistaking water for solid ground. With permission and blessings from his friends, Kṛṣṇa then returned to Dvārakā, accompanied by Sātyaki and others. There, at an auspicious time, he married Kālindī, bringing supreme joy and benefit to his people. Meanwhile, Vinda and Anuvinda, the princes of Avanti and followers of Duryodhana, prevented their sister Mitravindā, who was deeply attached to Kṛṣṇa, from choosing her own husband at her svayaṃvara. Yet, before the assembly of kings, Kṛṣṇa boldly carried Mitravindā away, for she was the daughter of his father’s sister and the chief queen. There was also a renowned and righteous king named Nagnajit, ruler of Kośala. His daughter, Satyā—also known as Nagnajitī—was sought by many kings, but her hand was promised only to one who could subdue seven fierce, sharp-horned, untamable bulls. Hearing of this challenge, Kṛṣṇa, the master of the Sātvatas, journeyed to Kośala with a great army. King Nagnajit welcomed him with all honor and reverence. Upon seeing Kṛṣṇa, Satyā’s heart was filled with longing, and she prayed that her vows might be fulfilled by winning such a Lord as her husband. Yet she wondered how she, so insignificant, could attract the one whose lotus feet are worshipped by Lakṣmī, Brahmā, Śiva, and all the guardians of the worlds—the very Lord who, in sport, built a bridge for his own purposes. After being worshipped, Nārāyaṇa, ever content in his own bliss, remarked that he had no need for anything meager. Delighted, he addressed King Nagnajit, saying that though begging is condemned for a kṣatriya, he sought the king’s friendship and asked for his daughter’s hand—not for a bride-price, for his people did not follow that custom. The king, pleased, replied that none could be a greater or more desirable suitor than Kṛṣṇa, in whom the goddess of fortune herself resides. However, he reminded Kṛṣṇa of his prior vow: his daughter’s hand could only be won by subduing the seven formidable bulls, which had already defeated and injured many princes. Accepting the challenge, Kṛṣṇa tightened his garment, multiplied himself into seven forms, and playfully subdued the bulls. He bound them with ropes, breaking their pride and strength, and dragged them as easily as a child might drag wooden toys. Amazed and overjoyed, King Nagnajit gave his daughter to Kṛṣṇa, who accepted her as his equal bride. The royal women rejoiced at gaining Kṛṣṇa as their son-in-law, and a great festival was celebrated. The air resounded with conch shells, drums, and trumpets; songs and music filled the halls, and brāhmaṇas offered blessings. Men and women, adorned in beautiful garments, garlands, and ornaments, rejoiced. As dowry, Kṛṣṇa gave ten thousand cows, three thousand young women adorned with necklaces and fine clothes, nine thousand elephants, chariots a hundred times more numerous than elephants, horses a hundred times more than chariots, and men a hundred times more than horses. The king of Kośala, his heart softened with affection, placed Kṛṣṇa and Satyā on a chariot and sent them off with a great army. When the kings who had failed the challenge heard of this, their pride wounded by both the Yadus and the bulls, they tried to block the procession. But Arjuna, the mighty wielder of Gāṇḍīva and Kṛṣṇa’s dear friend, scattered their arrows and routed them, like a lion felling lesser beasts. With the dowry received, Kṛṣṇa, the foremost of the Yadus and son of Devakī, returned to Dvārakā and enjoyed happiness with Satyā. Kṛṣṇa also married Bhadrā, the daughter of Śrutakīrti—his paternal aunt and a princess of the Kaikeyas—who was given to him by her brothers, including Santardana. He alone carried off Lakṣmaṇā, the daughter of the king of Madra, adorned with auspicious marks, from her svayaṃvara, just as Garuḍa once seized nectar. In this way, after slaying Bhauma, Kṛṣṇa rescued thousands of noble women from captivity; all of charming appearance, they became his wives. At this point, the king, eager to hear more, asked: “O sage, tell me how Bhauma was slain by the Lord, and how those women, who had been confined, were rescued by the wielder of Śārṅga.