Śuka spoke: In the glorious city of Dvārakā, resplendent with every prosperity and abundance, the Lord of fortune, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, dwelled happily, surrounded by the foremost of the Vṛṣṇis. The city itself was alive with beauty and joy: within its palaces, women adorned themselves in splendid attire, their youthful radiance shining like flashes of lightning as they played with balls and enjoyed other delightful games. The streets of Dvārakā were ever bustling, filled with the sounds and sights of intoxicated elephants, proud warriors, swift horses, and golden chariots, all richly decorated and gleaming in the sunlight. Beyond the city’s avenues, gardens and groves flourished, their rows of blossoming trees alive with the sweet songs of bees and birds. In this city, Kṛṣṇa, the beloved of sixteen thousand wives, delighted in their company within their magnificent homes. Each queen displayed wondrous forms and graces. Together, they sported in pure waters, fragrant with the pollen of blooming lotuses, lilies, and blue water-lilies, surrounded by the cheerful calls of birds. Sometimes, Kṛṣṇa entered the cool lakes, embraced by his wives, his body anointed with the saffron from their breasts. As they played, Gandharvas sang joyfully, accompanied by the rhythmic sounds of drums, cymbals, and kettledrums. Bards, genealogists, and singers played on lutes, filling the air with music. Amidst laughter and playful gestures, the women sprinkled Kṛṣṇa with water, and he joined in their sport, much like the lord of the Yakṣas among the Yakṣīs. Their soaked garments clung to them, their broad breasts revealed as they showered him with handfuls of flowers. With playful intent, they embraced their beloved, their faces glowing with smiles born of awakened longing. Kṛṣṇa, his chest adorned with garlands smeared with saffron, his hair loosened from play and embrace, enjoyed himself, surrounded by the young women like a great elephant among his herd. To the dancers, singers, musicians, and his beloved wives, Kṛṣṇa generously gave ornaments and garments for their enjoyment. As he delighted with them—meeting their glances and smiles, exchanging playful jokes and embraces—their hearts were utterly captivated. So deep was their love for Kṛṣṇa that, as they spoke, their minds fixed solely on Mukunda, their words became incoherent, like those of the intoxicated or dull-witted, overwhelmed by thoughts of the lotus-eyed one. Listen now to the words they uttered in their longing. The queens said: “O kurarī bird, you lament through the sleepless night, never resting, while 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, unseen by your companion, and cry plaintively. We too have found servitude at Acyuta’s feet; or do you long for a garland to wear in your hair? “O, you who groan by the waters, awake through the night, is it because Mukunda has taken the mark of your soul, that you, too, endure this difficult state? “O Moon, your light wanes, unable to dispel the darkness. Like us, bewildered and speaking in broken words, have you forgotten him and now remain silent, unnoticed? “O wind from the Malaya mountains, have we displeased you? Pierced by Govinda’s sidelong glances, you stir 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, always meditating on him who bears the Śrīvatsa mark. Overwhelmed with longing, your heart agitated, you shed streams of tears, remembering him—such is the pain of his association. “O cuckoo, your trembling voice revives the dead with its sweetness. Tell me, dear one, what can I do for you? Speak, for you seem to call out the beloved’s name. “O mountain, wise and silent, you seem to contemplate some great purpose. Surely, like us, you long to embrace the feet of Vasudeva’s son, holding him to your breast. “Alas, the wives of the ocean, their lakes dried up and hands parched, have lost the beauty of their lotuses, deprived of their beloved. Just as we, tormented and hearts seized by longing, 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 refuge for women.” Śuka continued: In this way, filled with such deep feelings for Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of yogis, the women of Mādhava attained the highest state. For Kṛṣṇa’s fame, even when merely heard, irresistibly attracts the minds of women—what then of those who saw him face to face? Those who, out of love, served the Lord of the universe as their husband—by massaging his feet and other acts—who can describe the penance they must have performed to attain such fortune? Thus, by practicing the dharma taught in the Vedas, Kṛṣṇa showed the path of righteousness to householders, and repeatedly demonstrated the ideals of dharma, artha, and kāma within the home. Kṛṣṇa, who established the supreme dharma among householders, had sixteen thousand and more than a hundred queens. Among them, the foremost eight, led by Rukmiṇī, were the chief jewels among women, O King, and their sons are listed in order. From each of his wives, Kṛṣṇa, the unfailing Lord, begot ten sons, as many as he had wives. Among these sons, renowned for their valor, there were eighteen great chariot-warriors, famed for their noble deeds. Hear their names: Pradyumna, Aniruddha, Dīptimān, Bhānu, Sāmba, Madhu, Bṛhadbhānu, Citrabhānu, Vṛka, and 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. This mighty warrior married the daughter of Rukmi, and from her, Aniruddha was born, endowed with the strength of a thousand elephants. Aniruddha, in turn, married the granddaughter of Rukmi, and from her came Vajra, who survived the destruction of the Yadus. From Vajra came Pratibahu, from Pratibahu was born Subahu, from Subahu came Shantasena, and Shatasena was his son. In this illustrious lineage, none were poor, childless, short-lived, weak, or lacking in devotion to the Brahmanas. O King, even in ten thousand years, it would not be possible to count all the men born in the Yadu dynasty, whose deeds are renowned throughout the world.