All the wives of Vasudeva, led by Devaki herself, gathered together for the great occasion. Revati, Rohini, and all the other women of the city joined them, their hearts filled with joy and anticipation. With happiness radiating from their faces, they performed the wedding rites; Devaki, moved by deep affection, took special care to worship the gods as was proper for such a sacred event. At that auspicious time, the elderly royal women, together with Devaki, faithfully carried out every ceremony prescribed for a wedding. The entire festival was celebrated with grandeur by the foremost of the twice-born Brahmins, who chanted the sacred mantras and guided the rituals. Brahmins were honored and fed sumptuously; they received fine garments and beautiful ornaments. Ugrasena and the other assembled kings were also worshipped with due respect and offerings. Nanda and the other cowherds, as well as Yashoda and the other women of the community, were honored with many gifts—gold, jewels, garments, and ornaments—bestowed upon them with affection and gratitude. All those present felt delighted and deeply honored at this great wedding festival. As the sacred fire witnessed their union, the bride and groom embraced and bowed with reverence. Blessed by the foremost Brahmins, learned in the Vedas, the bride and groom shone with divine brilliance upon the marriage altar as the benedictions were pronounced. Then, the son of Devaki, together with his new wife, bowed respectfully to the Brahmins and elders, and also to his eldest brother, showing humility and gratitude. Having thus completed all the marriage rites, Madhusudana, the slayer of demons, graciously dismissed the assembled kings and all others who had gathered for the celebration. The honored kings departed, blessed by Hari, and the great-souled Brahmins returned to their homes, carrying with them the joy of the occasion. The righteous son of Devaki, eternal and imperishable, dwelt happily with Rukmini on the splendid terrace of his divine mansion. With her, he delighted as Narayana delights with Sri, and their union was praised by sages and even by the hosts of gods in heaven. Day after day, with a joyful heart, Janardana, the eternal one, resided in the beautiful city of Dvaravati, living in happiness and peace. Thus concludes the chapter named “The Story of Rukmini’s Marriage in the Life of Shri Krishna,” as recounted in the dialogue of Uma and Maheshvara, in the Uttarakanda of the glorious Padma Mahapurana. Then, in continuation, Shri Rudra spoke: “Satyā, the illustrious daughter of Satrājit, herself born as a portion of the earth, may be counted as Krishna’s wife or as another. Vaivasvati, greatly fortunate and known as Kalindi, was his third wife, appearing as a portion of Lila. Janardana also married Mitravinda, the daughter of Vinda and Anuvinda, she of pure smile, who stood in her own svayamvara. Binding seven proud bulls with a single rope—her bride-price being valor—Krishna claimed her, she whose eyes were like lotus petals. Satrajit, the king, possessed a great jewel called Syamantaka, which he entrusted to his younger brother, the noble Prasena. One day, Madhusudana requested that excellent jewel, but Prasena, speaking forcefully to Vasudeva, refused. He said, ‘This jewel always produces gold that was lost; therefore, I must not give this Syamantaka to anyone.’ Krishna, understanding Prasena’s intention, remained silent. Later, Krishna set out to hunt in the forest with all the foremost Yadus. Entering the great forest with Prasena and many mighty ones, they were followed by thousands, each eager for the hunt. Prasena, however, ventured alone deep into the forest. There, a lion, spotting him, attacked and killed him, taking the Syamantaka jewel. Soon after, Jambavat, the mighty bear-king, slew the lion with his bare hands, took the jewel, and carried it swiftly to his cave, which was attended by celestial women. When the sun had set, Vasudeva and his followers saw the moon rise on the fourth night and returned to their own city. But in Dvaraka, the townspeople began to murmur among themselves, ‘Govinda has killed Prasena in the forest under the pretense of hunting. He took the excellent Syamantaka jewel without suspicion.’ Hearing these rumors, Hari, out of concern for being misunderstood by the ignorant, returned to the forest with the Yadus. There, he showed them the body of Prasena, slain by the lion in the woods. Having thus purified himself, Krishna stationed the great army there and, alone, bearing his mighty Sharnga bow and mace, entered the dense forest. He found the great cave and entered, uncertain of what he might find. Within, in a pure and radiant house illuminated by the glow of many excellent jewels, he saw the nurse of Jambavat’s son. She was playfully placing the child in a swing, holding the Syamantaka jewel at the front of the swing, joyfully rocking and singing, ‘The lion killed Prasena, and the lion was slain by Jambavat. O gentle child, do not weep; this is indeed your Syamantaka.’ Hearing this, the valiant Vasudeva blew his conch. At the great sound, Jambavat himself emerged. Between the two, a fierce battle erupted, lasting ten days without pause, their fists like thunderbolts, terrifying to all beings. Observing Krishna’s strength increasing and his own waning, Jambavat recalled the words spoken by the Supreme Soul in ages past: ‘This is Rama himself, descended again for the protection of righteousness; my master has come to fulfill my heart’s desire.’ Realizing this truth, the lord of the bears ceased fighting. With joined palms, he spoke to Govinda in wonder, ‘Who are you?’ Pausing the battle, Krishna replied in a deep voice, ‘I am the son of Vasudeva, called Vasudeva.’ Krishna then said, ‘You have taken my jewel, known as Syamantaka, quite fearlessly; therefore, return it to me quickly, or else you will meet your death.