Vinda and Anuvinda, the princes of Avanti and loyal followers of Duryodhana, sought to prevent their own sister, Mitravinda, who was deeply devoted to Krishna, from choosing him as her husband during her svayamvara. Yet, in the presence of all the assembled kings, Krishna, seeing her longing and devotion, boldly took Mitravinda, the daughter of the chief queen and his own paternal aunt, as his bride. There was also a righteous king named Nagnajit, ruler of Kosala, whose daughter Satyā—also known as Nagnajiti—was famed for her virtues. Many kings desired her hand, but her father had declared that only one who could subdue seven fierce, wild, and sharp-horned bulls—beasts untamable and proud of their strength—would win her. Hearing of this challenge, Krishna, the master of the Sātvatas, journeyed to the city of Kosala with a great army at his side. King Nagnajit, delighted at Krishna’s arrival, greeted him with honor, rising to welcome him, offering a seat, and showing every mark of respect. Satyā, seeing the Lord she cherished arrive, was filled with longing for him. In her heart she prayed, "If my vow is true, may this man 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, in sport, built a bridge across the ocean—how could such a Lord be satisfied with me?" Krishna, worshipped once more, replied with serene joy, "What need have I, who am full in my own bliss, for anything meager?" Then, pleased and smiling, Krishna addressed King Nagnajit, his voice deep as thunder: "O King, sages condemn begging for a kshatriya who follows his own duty, yet, desiring your friendship, I ask for your daughter’s hand—not for a bride-price, for we do not give that." King Nagnajit replied, "Who else, O Lord, could be a greater or more desirable suitor for my daughter, when the goddess of fortune herself dwells upon you, the very abode of all virtues? Yet, O best of the Sātvatas, I had made a vow: only one who subdues these seven fierce, untamable bulls may wed my daughter. Many princes have tried and been defeated or wounded. If you, O delight of the Yadus, can subdue them, then you shall be her chosen husband." Hearing these words, Krishna fastened his garment, and by his divine power, multiplied himself into seven forms. With playful ease, he subdued all seven bulls, breaking their pride and strength, then bound them with ropes and dragged them as effortlessly as a child would drag wooden toys. Amazed and overjoyed, King Nagnajit bestowed his daughter Satyā upon Krishna, and the Lord accepted her, honoring the marriage in proper form. The royal ladies, now blessed to have Krishna as their beloved son-in-law, rejoiced, and a grand festival began. Conch shells, kettledrums, and trumpets resounded; songs and music filled the air; brahmanas offered blessings, and men and women, adorned with splendid garments, garlands, and ornaments, celebrated with great joy. Krishna gave a lavish dowry: ten thousand cows, three thousand young women adorned with necklaces and fine clothes, nine thousand elephants, a hundred times as many chariots as elephants, a hundred times as many horses as chariots, and a hundred times as many men as horses. Placing Krishna and Satyā upon a chariot and surrounded by a great army, King Nagnajit, his heart overflowing with affection, sent them forth. When the defeated kings—those bested by Krishna and the bulls—heard of this, their pride wounded, they could not bear it and tried to block the procession as Krishna led his bride away. But Arjuna, wielder of the mighty Gāṇḍīva and Krishna’s dear friend, scattered their volleys of arrows and struck them down as a lion fells lesser beasts. Thus, Krishna, the foremost of the Yadus and son of Devakī, returned to Dvārakā with Satyā and enjoyed happiness with her. Krishna 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. And at another svayamvara, Krishna alone carried off Lakṣmaṇā, the daughter of the king of Madra, adorned with auspicious marks, just as Garuḍa seized the nectar from the gods. In this way, after slaying Bhauma and rescuing many captive women, Krishna wed thousands of beautiful princesses, all of whom became his wives. Hearing this, the king inquired, "O sage, tell me how Bhauma was slain by the Lord, and how those women, held captive, were rescued by Krishna, the wielder of Śārṅga." Śuka replied: When Indra had taken away Bhauma’s umbrella, earrings, and companions, and seized his place on the mountain of the gods, and when Krishna heard of the misdeeds of this earth-born demon, he mounted Garuḍa with his wife and journeyed to the city of Prāgjyotiṣa. That city was encircled by formidable mountain fortresses, weapon fortresses, and barriers of water, fire, and wind, as well as by the fierce, unbreakable bonds of 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 cut through the bonds of Mura. With the blast of his conch, he broke the machines and struck terror into the hearts of the proud. With his mighty mace, Gadādhara smashed the ramparts. Hearing the terrifying sound of the Pāñcajanya, as dreadful as thunder at the end of an age, Mura, the five-headed demon, rose from the water where he lay. Brandishing a blazing trident, dreadful to behold, he rushed at Krishna and Garuḍa with all five mouths, like a furious serpent. He hurled his trident at Garuḍa and roared with all five mouths, the sound filling the heavens, all directions, and the very universe. The trident fell upon Garuḍa, but Krishna struck it down with two triple-powered arrows and shot more arrows into Mura’s mouths. Enraged, Mura hurled his mace at Krishna. But Krishna, master of maces, shattered the demon’s weapon with his own, splitting it into a thousand pieces. Then, raising his arms, Krishna playfully severed Mura’s five heads with his discus. Headless, Mura fell into the water, lifeless as a mountain peak struck down by Indra. At once, his seven sons, enraged by their father’s death, rose up to retaliate.