Freed from the threefold states of self and purified of all actions, the noble wives of Krishna found themselves immersed in uninterrupted bliss and unimpeded knowledge. Through the path of yoga, as established by sacred scriptures and the passage of time, they had bowed to Krishna’s divine form—the supreme path of the paramahaṃsa, though that form itself was fashioned by māyā. It was at this time that the wives of the Andhaka and Kaurava dynasties gathered together. United in devotion, they praised Krishna, the crown-jewel among the illustrious, and exchanged stories of Govinda, whose glorious deeds are celebrated throughout the three worlds. Their voices intertwined as they recounted his acts, each eager to share her own experience. Draupadī, her heart full, addressed her sisters: “O Vaidarbhī, Bhadrā, Jāmbavatī, Kauśalā, Satyabhāmā, Kālindī, Śaibyā, Rohiṇī, Lakṣmaṇā—O wives of Krishna, tell us, how did the Lord Himself come to marry each of you, adopting worldly customs by His own divine power?” Rukmiṇī replied first, her voice gentle: “When fierce warriors, bows drawn, sought to give me to the king of Cedi, Krishna—He whose feet are the crown of warriors—swept me away like a lion taking his rightful share from a herd of goats. May I forever worship the feet of that Lord, the abode of Śrī.” Satyabhāmā spoke next: “To remove the curse placed upon me by my co-wife, Krishna vanquished the king of the earth and brought the precious jewel. He frightened my father and others, and, though I had been given to another, He claimed me for Himself.” Jāmbavatī added: “Knowing Him as the creator of all bodies and my destined Lord, the husband of Sītā fought my father for twenty-one days. When my father understood Krishna’s true nature, he offered me to Him. I grasped Krishna’s feet, along with the jewel, and became His servant.” Kālindī’s eyes shone as she spoke: “Desiring only to touch His feet, I performed severe austerities. Krishna approached me as a friend, took my hand, and from then I became the humble sweeper of His house.” Mitravindā recounted: “He came to my svayaṃvara, defeated the assembled kings, and carried me away as an elephant seizes his mate from a herd. Krishna drove away my brothers and brought me to His city, the abode of fortune. May I ever have the privilege of serving His feet.” Satyā remembered: “My father, wishing to test the strength and valor of the kings, set seven fierce, sharp-horned bulls as a challenge. Krishna, destroyer of all pride, subdued them effortlessly and bound them like calves. Thus, having won me by valor, He received me, my maidservants, and my army by defeating the kings who opposed Him on the road. May I ever be His servant.” Bhadrā continued: “My father, with full devotion, invited my maternal uncle and gave me to Krishna, along with an army and companions. May I be blessed to touch His feet in every birth, for by that touch, one wandering in the endless cycle of karma attains the highest good.” Lakṣmaṇā spoke with quiet devotion: “Hearing again and again from Nārada the stories of Krishna’s birth and deeds, my heart was drawn to Mukunda, abandoning even the guardians of the worlds. Knowing my mind, my affectionate father Bṛhatsena devised a svayaṃvara for my marriage. As in Draupadī’s own choosing, a fish was set up—concealed above but seen only as a reflection in the water below. “Kings skilled in all weapons gathered by the thousands, each honored according to their strength and age. Those who desired me took up the bow and arrows. Some failed to string the bow, others fell, overpowered by its force. Great heroes like the kings of Magadha, Ambashṭha, Cedi, as well as Bhīma, Duryodhana, and Karṇa, managed to string it but did not understand the true challenge. Arjuna, seeing the image of the fish in the water, released his arrow with care, but it only touched the target. “When the others had withdrawn, their pride broken, Krishna effortlessly strung the bow. With a single glance at the fish’s reflection, He released His arrow, striking the target as the sun stood in the Abhijit constellation. “I entered the arena, anklets softly tinkling, a radiant golden garland in my hands, clothed in new silk, a bashful smile on my face, and flowers adorning my hair. Lifting my face, earrings shining, cheeks glowing, I looked gently at the assembled kings. With a heart devoted to Murāri, I placed the garland on Krishna’s shoulder. “In that moment, drums, conches, trumpets, and other instruments resounded; dancers performed, and singers sang. When I chose Krishna, the chiefs of men, burning with desire, could not bear my decision—just as they could not bear Draupadī’s—and they competed with one another. “Krishna placed me on His chariot, yoked with four excellent horses, took up the Śārṅga bow, donned His armor, and stood ready for battle with four arms. Dāruka drove the chariot, adorned with golden fittings, as the kings looked on—just as the king of beasts carries off his prize before all others. “Some kings pursued us, armed and with drawn bows, but Krishna’s arrows severed their arms, legs, and necks—some fell in battle, while others fled. Then the Lord of the Yadus entered His splendid city, decked with sun-shaded banners and painted gateways, celebrated in heaven and on earth, like a ship reaching its own harbor. “My father honored Krishna’s friends and kin with precious garments, ornaments, beds, seats, and other gifts. With maidservants, wealth, soldiers, chariots, horses, and valuable weapons, he gave all with devotion. We, the maidservants of Krishna’s household, became so by the power of true austerity and complete detachment, serving Him who is ever self-satisfied.” The other queens then spoke: “After Krishna slew Bhauma and his followers in battle, He freed us, the princesses who had been captured. Remembering His lotus feet, the fulfiller of all desires, He accepted us in marriage and granted us liberation from worldly bondage. “We do not desire sovereignty, lordship, rulership, or even the supreme position of Brahmā, nor do we seek the endless abode of Hari. We desire only to bear on our heads the dust of Krishna’s glorious feet, fragrant with the scent of His consort’s breast-unguent, He who wields the mace. “The cowherd women of Vraja, the Pulinda women, even the grasses, herbs, cows, and cowherd boys—all long for the touch of His feet as He tends the cows.” Śuka then said: When Kuntī, Subhadrā, Draupadī, Mādhavī, the royal wives, and even the gopīs heard of Krishna’s deep affection for His beloveds, the Supreme Soul, they were all amazed. Their eyes brimmed with tears of wonder and devotion.