Kālindī, dwelling in the waters of the Yamunā in a palace built by her father, longed for none but Mukunda—Krishna, the abode of Śrī and refuge of the shelterless. With a heart full of devotion, she prayed that he alone might be pleased with her and become her husband. Resolute in her vow, she waited in her watery home, determined not to choose any other. Arjuna, learning of Kālindī’s desire and her steadfastness, spoke to Vāsudeva—Krishna himself. Understanding the matter, Krishna placed Kālindī upon his chariot and brought her to King Yudhiṣṭhira, thus honoring her wish. In those days, Krishna, following the wishes of his friends, had a wondrous city constructed for the sons of Pritha. He summoned Viśvakarma, the celestial architect, who built a marvelous city, extraordinary in every way. Desiring to please his own people, Krishna dwelt there, and, in his affection for Arjuna, became his charioteer when the time came to offer the Khandava forest to Agni, the fire god. Agni, satisfied by their service, rewarded Arjuna with a mighty bow, a chariot drawn by white horses, two inexhaustible quivers, impenetrable armor, and celestial weapons. From the fire, Maya, the architect, was rescued. In gratitude, Maya constructed a magnificent assembly hall for the Pāṇḍavas, a hall so wondrous that Duryodhana himself was bewildered within it, mistaking water for solid ground. Having fulfilled his duties and with the approval of his friends, Krishna returned to Dvārakā, accompanied by Satyaki and others. There, at an auspicious time and season, he married Kālindī, bringing supreme joy and auspiciousness to his people. But Krishna’s marriages did not end there. Vinda and Anuvinda, the princes of Avanti and followers of Duryodhana, prevented their sister Mitravindā—who cherished Krishna in her heart—from choosing her own husband at her svayaṃvara. Krishna, undaunted, took Mitravindā by force before the assembled kings, for she was the daughter of the chief queen and also his father’s sister. In Kosala, there was a king named Nagnajit, famed for his righteousness. His daughter, Satyā (also called Nagnajitī), was sought by many princes, but her father had set a formidable challenge: only he who could subdue seven fierce, sharp-horned, untamable bulls would win her hand. Many princes had tried and failed, suffering defeat and injury at the hands of these proud beasts. Hearing of this challenge, Krishna, master of the Sātvatas, journeyed to Kosala with a great army. King Nagnajit, delighted by Krishna’s presence, honored him with all marks of respect and welcomed him warmly. Satyā, seeing the Lord of Lakṣmī arrive, prayed in her heart: “If my vows are true, may this man become my husband and fulfill all my wishes.” Yet she wondered how one so great—whose lotus feet are worshiped by Lakṣmī, Brahmā, Śiva, and the guardians of the worlds, and who, in sport, built a bridge for his own purposes—could ever be satisfied with her. Krishna, worshiped by all, smiled and addressed King Nagnajit, saying, “O King, though begging is not proper for a kṣatriya, I desire your friendship and ask for your daughter—not for a bride-price, for we do not give that.” The king replied, “Who could be a greater or more desirable suitor for my daughter than you, O Lord, on whose person the unfailing goddess of fortune dwells? Yet, we have made an agreement: only he who subdues the seven fierce bulls shall win her hand.” Hearing this, Krishna fastened his garment, multiplied himself into seven forms, and playfully subdued the bulls, breaking their pride and strength. He bound them with ropes and dragged them as easily as a child drags wooden toys. Astonished and delighted, King Nagnajit gave his daughter to Krishna, who accepted her as his equal bride. The royal women rejoiced at gaining Krishna as their son-in-law, and a great festival was held. Conch shells, drums, and trumpets resounded, songs and music filled the air, and men and women adorned themselves in festive garments, garlands, and ornaments. Brāhmaṇas offered their blessings. Krishna gave a splendid dowry: ten thousand cows, three thousand young women adorned with necklaces and fine clothes, nine thousand elephants, a hundred times more chariots than elephants, a hundred times more horses than chariots, and a hundred times more men than horses. The king of Kosala, his heart full of affection, placed the couple on a chariot and sent them off, surrounded by a mighty army. When the defeated kings, unable to bear their loss at the hands of Krishna and the bulls, tried to block the procession, Arjuna, the mighty archer and Krishna’s dear friend, scattered their arrows and routed them as a lion scatters lesser beasts. Thus, Krishna brought Satyā to Dvārakā, where he enjoyed happiness with her. Krishna also married Bhadrā, the daughter of Śrutakīrti, his paternal aunt and 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, from her svayaṃvara, just as Garuḍa seized nectar from the gods. In this way, after slaying Bhauma, Krishna rescued thousands of beautiful women who had been held captive, and they became his wives. At this point, King Parīkṣit inquired from the sage Śuka, “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.” Śuka replied: When Indra had taken away Bhauma’s umbrella, earrings, companions, and his position on the mountain of the gods, and when Krishna learned of the earth-born’s actions, he mounted Garuḍa with his wife and set out for the city of Prāgjyotiṣa.