Arjuna, having spoken with Vāsudeva, placed trust in his wisdom. Understanding the situation, Krishna gently seated the lady upon his chariot and brought her to King Yudhiṣṭhira. Thereafter, as the sons of Pritha required a city, Krishna, following their wishes, commissioned Vishvakarma, the divine architect, to construct a wondrous city for them—a marvel of beauty and craftsmanship. Desiring always to delight his own people, Krishna took residence there. It was at this time that, to please Agni, the fire god, Krishna became Arjuna’s charioteer and aided him in granting the Khandava forest to Agni. Pleased by their efforts, Agni bestowed upon Arjuna extraordinary gifts: a powerful bow, a chariot drawn by white horses, two inexhaustible quivers, impenetrable armor, and celestial weapons. Meanwhile, Maya, the great architect who had been saved from the consuming fire, came in gratitude and built a magnificent assembly hall for the Pāṇḍavas—a hall so wondrous that Duryodhana, upon entering, was bewildered and mistook water for solid ground. When Krishna had fulfilled all that was needed and, with the approval of Yudhiṣṭhira and his friends, he returned to Dvārakā, accompanied by Satyaki and other companions. Not long after, Krishna married Kalindi at an auspicious time, filling his people with immense joy and bringing them the highest good. In the kingdom of Avanti, the princes Vinda and Anuvinda, allies of Duryodhana, prevented their sister Mitravinda—who was devoted to Krishna—from choosing her own husband at her svayamvara. Undeterred, Krishna, before the eyes of all the assembled kings, took Mitravinda, the daughter of his father’s sister and the chief queen, as his own. In the land of Kosala, there ruled the righteous King Nagnajit, whose daughter Satyā, also known as Nagnajiti, was famed for her virtue and beauty. The king had declared that only he who could subdue seven fierce, sharp-horned, and untamable bulls—creatures proud of their strength—would win her hand. Many princes had tried and failed, being defeated and wounded by the bulls. Hearing of this challenge, Krishna, Lord of the Sātvatas, set out for Kosala with a great army. King Nagnajit, overjoyed, rose to greet Krishna, honored him with a seat, and welcomed him with all reverence. The princess Satyā’s heart rejoiced at the arrival of the Lord she had longed for. Inwardly, she prayed: “If my vow is true, may Krishna become my husband and fulfill all my wishes.” Yet she wondered, “He whose lotus feet are worshipped by Lakshmi, Brahma, Shiva, and all the guardians of the worlds—he who built a bridge across the sea for his own purpose—how could such a Lord be satisfied with someone like me?” Krishna, worshipped once more, declared, “What need have I, who am full in my own bliss, for anything meager?” Delighted, he addressed King Nagnajit with a voice as deep as thunder, smiling gently. “O King,” he said, “it is not customary for a kshatriya to beg, yet desiring your friendship, I ask for your daughter’s hand—not for a bride-price, for that is not our way.” The king replied, “Who else could be a greater or more desirable suitor for my daughter, when the goddess of fortune herself dwells upon you, the embodiment of all virtues? Yet, O best of the Sātvatas, I have made a solemn vow: my daughter’s hand will be won only by subduing these seven fierce and unmanageable bulls, who have injured many princes. If you alone, O delight of the Yadus, can master them, you shall be her husband.” Upon hearing this, Krishna tightened his garment, multiplied himself into seven forms, and, as if it were a playful sport, subdued the wild bulls. With their pride and strength broken, Śauri bound them with ropes and dragged them as easily as a child drags wooden toys. Amazed and delighted, King Nagnajit gave his daughter Satyā to Krishna, who accepted her as his equal in all proper form. The royal households rejoiced to gain Krishna as their son-in-law, and a great festival erupted. Conch shells, kettledrums, and trumpets resounded; musicians played, brāhmaṇas offered blessings, and men and women adorned in splendid garments, garlands, and jewels filled the city with joy. Krishna gave a splendid dowry: ten thousand cows, three thousand beautifully adorned maidens, 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. The king of Kosala, his heart overflowing with affection, placed Krishna and Satyā on a chariot, and, surrounded by a great army, sent them forth. But the defeated kings, unable to tolerate their loss, attempted to block the procession as Krishna led Satyā away. Arjuna, ever the protector and dear friend, wielded his Gāṇḍīva bow and scattered their arrows, felling those kings as a lion fells lesser beasts. Thus, with the dowry secured, Krishna, the foremost of the Yadus and son of Devakī, returned to Dvārakā, where he enjoyed happiness with Satyā. He also married Bhadrā, the daughter of his paternal aunt Śrutakīrti, a princess of the Kaikeyas, who was given to him by her brothers, including Santardana. Likewise, Krishna carried away Lakṣmaṇā, the daughter of the king of Madra, from her svayamvara, just as Garuḍa seized the nectar of immortality. In this way, after slaying Bhauma and rescuing the captive princesses, Krishna married thousands of noble and beautiful wives. At this point, King Parīkṣit inquired, “O sage, tell me how the Lord slew Bhauma and rescued those imprisoned women.” Śuka replied: When Indra had taken away Bhauma’s umbrella, earrings, and companions, and usurped his place on the mountain of the gods, Krishna learned of the earth-born demon’s deeds. Mounting Garuḍa with his wife, Krishna journeyed to the city of Prāgjyotiṣa. This city was surrounded by formidable mountain fortresses, weapon fortresses, and barriers of water, fire, and wind, and was further protected by the fierce and mighty bonds of the demon Mura. With his mace, Krishna shattered the mountains; with his arrows, he destroyed the weapon fortresses; with his discus, he overcame the barriers of fire, water, and wind; and with his sword, he severed the bonds of Mura. Thus did the Lord proceed to fulfill his purpose, ever victorious and ever compassionate.