In the city, joy blossomed among the people, their happiness radiant like the gatherings of gods in heaven. King Raivata, descended from the noble Ikshvaku lineage, was filled with delight and affection. Out of love, he gave his own daughter, Revati—endowed with every auspicious quality—to Rama. Rama accepted Revati as his wife, marrying her with all the proper rites, and cherished her as Indra delights in his beloved Shachi. Elsewhere, the righteous king Bhishmaka ruled Vidarbha with unwavering devotion to dharma. His sons, including the noble Rukma, were all virtuous and auspicious. Among his children, his youngest daughter shone brightest—Rukmini, of excellent complexion and adorned with all auspicious qualities, born from a portion of the goddess Lakshmi herself. In the incarnation of Rama, she had been Sita; as Krishna was born, she appeared as Rukmini; in every descent of Vishnu, she came as his eternal companion. In this same era, the fierce Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu were born again as Shishupala and Dantavakra, powerful and valiant, in the Chedi lineage. King Bhishmaka, seeking a worthy match for his daughter, wished to give Rukmini in marriage to Shishupala. Yet Rukmini, beautiful and steadfast, did not desire Shishupala as her husband. From childhood, her heart was unwaveringly devoted to Vishnu. She worshipped the gods with great faith, performed many acts of charity, and in her innermost thoughts, chose Krishna as her husband. Dwelling in her father’s house, Rukmini was devoted to sacred vows and meditated constantly on the Supreme Person, considering Krishna the lord of her soul and her destined husband. Yet, her father and her virtuous brother Rukmi made determined efforts to arrange her marriage with Shishupala. Resolute in her purpose, Rukmini sent a trusted Brahmin—the son of the family priest—to Krishna, her chosen lord. The Brahmin journeyed swiftly to Dvaraka, where he was received with honor by Krishna and Rama. Privately, he conveyed to them all that Rukmini had spoken. Hearing the Brahmin’s words, Krishna and Rama immediately prepared for action. They filled their chariot with every kind of weapon and missile, and with the noble charioteer Daruka, the two Supreme Persons sped swiftly toward Vidarbha. At that time, kings from all realms, led by Jarasandha, had gathered to witness the wedding of the wise Shishupala. On the day of the ceremony, Rukmini, adorned with golden ornaments, went out from the city with her companions to worship the goddess Durga. At that very moment, Krishna, the mighty son of Devaki and slayer of Madhu, arrived. As Rukmini stood by the chariot, Krishna seized her and swiftly departed with her. The kings, led by Jarasandha, were seized with fury. With Rukmi at their head, they pursued Krishna in wrath, their armies arranged in fourfold divisions. Then, mighty-armed Balabhadra (Balarama) descended from his splendid chariot. Taking up his plough and mace, he struck down the enemy forces in an instant. With his weapons, he shattered chariots, horses, elephants, and foot soldiers. Chariots were crushed by his plough, elephants fell like mountains struck by thunderbolts, and the battlefield ran red with blood as the army was slain by Balarama. Streams of blood flowed everywhere, mingling with the fallen horses, elephants, chariots, and soldiers. Terrified and shattered, the assembled kings fled. Only Rukmi, burning with anger and pride, remained to challenge Krishna. Rukmi raised his bow and showered arrows upon Krishna, wielder of the Sharnga bow. Smiling, Krishna effortlessly took up his own bow. With a single arrow, he struck down Rukmi’s chariot-horses and charioteer, and cut apart his chariot, banner, and flag. Rendered chariotless, Rukmi leapt to the ground with his sword, but Krishna swiftly severed it with an arrow. In desperation, Rukmi struck Krishna on the chest with his fist, but Krishna seized him, binding him tightly. Smiling, Krishna took a sharp, razor-edged weapon and, instead of taking Rukmi’s life, shaved his head, then released him. Overwhelmed by grief and humiliation, Rukmi returned to his city, sighing like a serpent. Thus ended the rout of the Vidarbha army, as recounted in the dialogue between Uma and Maheshvara, describing the glorious deeds of Shri Krishna. Afterward, Krishna, accompanied by Rama, Rukmini, and Daruka, ascended the divine chariot and returned swiftly to his own city, Dvaraka. Entering Dvaraka at an auspicious time and under favorable omens, Krishna performed all the rites prescribed by the Vedas. He married Rukmini, the princess adorned with gold, and at their wedding, divine drums resounded in the heavens. The gods showered flowers from above, and Vasudeva, Ugrasena, and Akrura—the foremost among the Yadus—rejoiced. Balabhadra, radiant in splendor, and all the eminent Yadus celebrated the joyous union of Krishna and Rukmini. Nanda, the beloved cowherd, arrived with his family and all the cowherds and their wives. Yashoda, adorned with fine ornaments, joined the gathering. In this way, the marriage of Krishna and Rukmini was celebrated with great joy and reverence, blessed by gods and mortals alike.