Hearing of the wondrous realm of the Vaiṣṇavas, Arjuna—Pārtha—was filled with astonishment. He realized in his heart that all the powers and abilities possessed by men arise only from the compassion of Kṛṣṇa. Thus, Kṛṣṇa, performing many extraordinary deeds in this world, enjoyed the pleasures of life and conducted sacrifices that surpassed all others. At the proper times, just as Lord Indra showers rain upon the earth, Kṛṣṇa bestowed all desired blessings upon the people—brāhmaṇas and others alike. Having destroyed the unrighteous kings, bringing about their downfall through Arjuna and others, he quickly established dharma in the world, installing the sons of Dharma and others to rule. After these mighty acts, Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of fortune, dwelled happily in his own city of Dvārakā, a place abundant with every prosperity, surrounded by the foremost of the Vṛṣṇis. Dvārakā shone with women adorned in splendid attire, radiant in the bloom of youth, playing with balls and other games in their palaces, their beauty flashing like lightning. The city’s streets were always bustling, filled with intoxicated elephants, warriors, horses, and chariots gleaming with gold, all splendidly decorated. In its gardens and groves, rows of blossoming trees resounded with the songs of bees and birds. There, Kṛṣṇa delighted as the sole beloved of sixteen thousand wives, each residing in magnificent homes and displaying wondrous forms. He sported in pure waters scented by the pollen of fully bloomed lotuses, lilies, and blue water-lilies, surrounded by the sweet chirping of birds. Entering the waters of lakes, his body was anointed with saffron from the embraces of his wives, who joyfully played with him. The Gandharvas sang as drums, cymbals, and kettledrums resounded in joy, while bards, genealogists, and singers played the lute. The women, laughing and making playful gestures, sprinkled Acyuta with water, and he sported among them as the lord of the Yakṣas might among Yakṣīs. With their garments soaked and their broad breasts exposed, they showered him with handfuls of flowers, embracing him with playful intent, their faces radiant with smiles of awakened longing. Kṛṣṇa, his chest adorned with garlands smeared with saffron and his hair loosened from their playful embraces, was repeatedly sprinkled by the young women, enjoying himself as an elephant among female elephants. He gave ornaments and garments for play to the dancers, singers, musicians, and all the women. As he delighted in their company, responding to their movements with smiles, glances, playful jokes, and embraces, the hearts of the women were entirely captivated. Their minds fixed solely on Mukunda, the women spoke in words that were incoherent, like those of the intoxicated or dull-witted, their thoughts absorbed in the lotus-eyed one. Listen now to their words. The queens said: “O kurarī bird, you lament through the night, sleepless and restless. The Lord of the world sleeps, hidden from our sight. Are you, like us, pierced in the heart by the generous glances and smiles of the lotus-eyed one? “O cakravākī, you close your eyes at night and cry out plaintively, unseen by your companion. We, too, are bound in service at Acyuta’s feet. Or do you long for a garland for your hair? “You groan by the waters, sleepless through the night. Has Mukunda taken the mark of your soul, leaving you, too, in this state of longing, so hard to endure? “O Moon, you seem seized by some affliction; your light wanes and you cannot dispel the darkness. Like us, bewildered and speaking in broken words, have you forgotten, and now remain silent, unnoticed? “O wind from the Malaya mountains, have we done something to offend you? Stirred by Govinda’s sidelong glances, you awaken in us the pain of longing. “O splendid cloud, you must be dear to the chief of the Yadus. Like us, you are bound by love, your heart agitated in longing as you shed streams of tears, remembering him who bears the Śrīvatsa mark. Such is the pain of his association. “O cuckoo, with your trembling throat, your sweet words revive the dead. Tell us, dear one, what can we do for you? You seem to call out the beloved’s name. “O mountain, wise one, unmoving and silent, you must long to embrace the feet of Vasudeva’s son, holding him to your breast. “Alas, the wives of the ocean, their lakes dried and hands parched, have lost the beauty of their lotuses, deprived of their beloved. Like us, tormented and hearts seized by longing, they suffer without the loving glance of the Lord of the bees. “O swan, welcome! Drink this water and tell us news of Śauri. Are you his messenger? Is the unconquered one well, as he once said? Or has his affection for us faded? Why should we serve him if he forgets us? Speak sweetly, for apart from his grace, there is no other refuge for women.” Thus, with such feelings toward Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of yogis, the women of Mādhava attained the highest state. Kṛṣṇa’s fame, sung in great songs, attracts the minds of women even when merely heard of—what then of those who see him directly? Those who, out of love, served the Lord of the universe as their husband, massaging his feet and serving him in other ways—what penance could possibly describe their good fortune? By practicing the dharma taught in the Vedas, Kṛṣṇa showed the path of righteousness to householders, demonstrating again and again the ideal of dharma, artha, and kāma within the home. For Kṛṣṇa, who established the supreme dharma among householders, there were sixteen thousand and more than a hundred queens. Of these, the foremost eight, led by Rukmiṇī, were the chief jewels among women, and their sons are listed in order. From each wife, Kṛṣṇa, the unfailing Lord, begot ten sons, as many as he had wives. Among these sons, who were all of great valor, there were eighteen great chariot-warriors, renowned for their noble deeds. Their names are: Pradyumna, Aniruddha, Dīptimān, Bhānu, Sāmba, Madhu, Bṛhadbhānu, Citrabhānu, Vṛka, Aruṇa, Puṣkara, Vedabāhu, Śrutadeva, Sunandana, Citrabāhu, Virūpa, Kavi, and Nyagrodha. Of all these sons of the enemy of Madhu, Pradyumna, the son of Rukmiṇī, was the foremost, just like his father. That mighty warrior married the daughter of Rukmi, and from her, Aniruddha was born, endowed with the strength of a thousand elephants.