The Lord recalled to Rukmiṇī how, in the past, her brother had been disfigured in battle and then killed at the gambling arena during a wedding festival. Though this sorrow was unbearable, Rukmiṇī endured it in silence, her heart heavy but her lips sealed, for she feared separation from Krishna. By bearing such grief without complaint, she had won His heart completely. He remembered, too, the time when Rukmiṇī sent a secret messenger to seek Him out, her devotion unwavering even when she thought He might abandon His mortal form. Despite her worries, she remained steadfast in her love, and Krishna, touched by her faith, assured her that He would always respond in kind. In this way, the Lord of the universe, through affectionate words and tender conversation, delighted Rukmiṇī. He spoke to her as if He were merely human, enjoying the playful exchange and bringing joy to her heart. Just as He did with Rukmiṇī, the all-pervading Lord Hari, the world’s teacher, resided in each of His wives’ homes. He upheld the duties of a householder, conducting Himself as if He were an ordinary husband, though He was anything but. Each of Krishna’s wives bore ten sons and a ninth as well, all of them possessing the Lord’s own qualities and strength. Though Krishna never seemed to leave home, each royal princess believed Him to be her dearest companion, even though they could not fully comprehend His true nature. With faces radiant like blooming lotuses, long arms, and enchanting eyes, Krishna cast loving glances and spoke sweet words, captivating their hearts. The women, though skilled in the arts of beauty and charm, found themselves powerless before His majesty. With smiling glances, gestures that revealed His innermost feelings, and words filled with love, Krishna enchanted His sixteen thousand wives. Even as they sought to disturb His senses with the arrows of Cupid, their efforts could not sway Him. Having attained the Lord of Lakshmi as their husband, these women—whose path is unknowable even to Brahma and the other gods—served Him joyfully, their affection unceasing, eager for His smile, His glance, His touch, and His embrace. Hundreds of maidservants attended the Lord, performing every service: welcoming Him, offering seats, washing His feet, bringing betel, providing rest, fanning Him, adorning Him with fragrant garlands, arranging His hair, preparing His bed, bathing Him, and making many other offerings. Among Krishna’s wives, the foremost were eight queens, each with ten distinguished sons. Of Rukmiṇī’s sons, Pradyumna was the chief, followed by Charudeṣṇa, Sudeṣṇa, Charudeha the mighty, Suchāru, Charugupta, Bhadracāru, Charucandra, Vichāru, and Charu. These sons, headed by Pradyumna, were not inferior to their father. Satyabhama’s sons were Bhānu, Subhānu, Svarbhānu, Prabhānu, Bhānumān, Chandra Bhānu, Bṛhadbhānu, Ratibhānu, Śrībhānu, and Pratibhānu. Jāmbavatī’s sons, led by Sāmba, included Sumitra, Purujit, Shatajita, Sahasrajit, Vijaya, Citraketu, Vasumān, Draviḍa, and Kratu. Nāgnajit’s sons were Vīra Chandra, Ashvasena, Citragu, Vegavān, Vṛṣa, Āma, Shaṅku, Vasu, Śrīmān, and Kuntir. Kālindī’s sons were Śruta, Kavi, Vṛṣa, Vīra, Subāhu, Bhadra, Ekala, Śānti, Darśa, and Pūrṇamāsa, with Somaka as the youngest. Mādrī’s sons were Praghoṣa, Gātravān, Siṃha, Bala, Prabala, Ūrdhvaga, Mahāśakti, Saha, Oja, and Aparājita. Mitravinda’s sons were Vṛka, Harṣa, Anila, Gṛdhra, Vardhana, Annāda, Mahāśa, Pāvana, Vahni, and Kṣudhi. Bhadrā’s sons were Saṅgrāmajit, Bṛhatsena, Śūra, Praharaṇa, Arijit, Jaya, Subhadra, Vāmāyu, and Satyaka. Rohiṇī’s sons included Dīptimān, Tāmra, Taptā, and others. From Pradyumna and Rukmavatī, the mighty daughter of Rukmi, was born Aniruddha in the city of Bhojakaṭa. The sons and grandsons of Krishna’s lineage numbered in the tens of millions, and the mothers of these children were sixteen thousand in number. At this, King Parīkṣit asked, “How is it that Rukmi, though insulted by Krishna and harboring enmity, gave his daughter in marriage to Krishna’s son during battle? Tell me, wise one, about the wedding between these rivals.” Śuka replied, “O King, yogis can perceive what is past, future, present, or hidden. In the svayamvara, Rukmavatī, endowed with beauty, chose Pradyumna—Cupid incarnate—among the assembled kings. Pradyumna defeated all and carried her away in his chariot amidst the battle. Although Rukmi remembered his enmity toward Krishna, he gave his daughter to his sister’s son, pleasing his sister Rukmiṇī. The powerful son of Kṛtavarmā married Rukmiṇī’s daughter, famed for her beauty and wide eyes. Rukmi also gave his granddaughter, Rocana, to Aniruddha, Krishna’s grandson, despite their feud, wishing to please his sister. Though he knew the union was improper, he was bound by affection. At this auspicious event, Rukmiṇī, Balarama (Rāma), Krishna, Samba, Pradyumna, and others journeyed to the city of Bhojakaṭa. Once the wedding was complete, the kings, led by the proud and arrogant ruler of Kalinga, challenged Rukmi to defeat Balarama at dice. Though Balarama was not skilled in dice, he was summoned to play. Rukmi played against him, and Rama staked a hundred, a thousand, and then ten thousand coins. Each time, Rukmi won, and the king of Kalinga mocked Balarama, laughing loudly, which Halāyudha (Balarama) could not tolerate. Then Rukmi staked a hundred thousand coins, and Balarama won, but Rukmi deceitfully claimed victory. Filled with wrath, Balarama, his eyes red with anger, staked ten million coins. Again, Balarama won fairly, but Rukmi, resorting to trickery, insisted he had won and called for witnesses. At that moment, a voice from the sky declared, “Balarama alone has won this wager; Rukmi speaks falsely, claiming victory by words, not by righteousness.” But Rukmi, ignoring the heavenly voice and prompted by wicked kings and fate, mocked Sankarshana (Balarama) and spoke derisively, “You cowherds who wander the forests know nothing of dice. Kings play dice and shoot arrows, not men like you.” Insulted by the kings and mocked by Rukmi, Balarama’s anger blazed. He raised his club and, in the midst of the assembly, struck Rukmi down.