All the daughters of Naraka, freed from their distress, chose Govinda—the all-pervading Lord of the universe—as their husband. In that very moment, Govinda, the Supreme Person, assumed manifold forms so that each maiden might be wed according to custom. He took each one by the hand, honoring their choice, and, out of compassion for their plight, established them in his own kingdom. With reverence for their wishes, Krishna placed these noble women in Indra’s celestial chariot and, aided by divine messengers, settled them safely in Dvārakā. Thereafter, Krishna, mounting Garuḍa—the mighty son of Vinatā—together with his beloved Satyā, swiftly journeyed to the world of the gods, seeking to visit the divine mother. Entering the city of the king of the gods, Janārdana, the mighty one, alighted from Garuḍa with his wife. There he bowed before his mother, Aditi, revered among the denizens of heaven. Aditi, affectionate as only a mother can be, embraced her son warmly. Seating her in the place of honor, Krishna worshipped Aditi with deep devotion, joined by the Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, and Indra himself. He duly honored the supreme Lord, while Satyabhama, illustrious among women, entered the house of Shachi, Indra’s queen. Satyabhama was received with honor and seated comfortably by the goddess. At that moment, the attendants of the Parijata tree, prompted by Indra, brought splendid flowers and lovingly offered them to Shachi. Shachi, graceful in form, took the flowers and, with her pure, dark hair, adorned her own head with them, disregarding the presence of Satyabhama. In her heart, Shachi thought, “This woman is unworthy—she is merely human. These auspicious flowers are fit only for the gods.” Thus, she did not offer the Parijata flowers to Satyabhama. Offended and filled with anger, Satyabhama left the palace and approached Krishna, her eyes like blooming lotuses. She spoke, “O foremost of the Yadus, this Shachi is proud of the Parijata. She did not give it to me, Govinda; instead, she bound it upon her own head.” Hearing Satyabhama’s words, Krishna, mighty Vasudeva, uprooted the Parijata tree and placed it upon Garuḍa. Mounting Garuḍa swiftly with Satyabhama, Krishna returned to the beautiful city of Dvārakā. News of this act filled Indra, king of the gods, with wrath. Together with the Rudras, Vasus, Adityas, Sadhyas, and hosts of Maruts, Indra mounted Airāvata and went to battle with Krishna. The hosts of gods surrounded Janārdana, unleashing a storm of weapons as clouds pour rain upon a mountain. Krishna, with his discus, cut down their weapons, rendering them harmless. Garuḍa, enraged and powerful, struck the gods as the wind scatters blades of grass. Indra, furious, hurled his blazing thunderbolt at Krishna, intending to slay him. But Krishna caught the thunderbolt effortlessly with one hand. Seeing this, Indra’s courage faltered, and descending from his mount, he stood before Janārdana with joined palms, bowing with a faltering voice, and began to praise Krishna with hymns. Indra said, “O Krishna, this Parijata is fit for the gods. You once gave it to me and to the gods. How, then, can it remain among humans?” The Blessed Lord replied to Indra, “O thousand-eyed one, Satyabhama, my wife, was slighted by Shachi in your house, O Lord of the gods. Shachi, your beloved, did not give the Parijata flowers to Satyabhama, but adorned herself instead. For this reason, O Indra, I have taken the Parijata, for I promised to give it to her. O Vasava, I will place the Parijata in your house again; but for now, let it remain with me for the welfare of the gods. When I return to heaven, O Shakra, you may take it as you wish.” Having spoken thus, Krishna graciously returned the thunderbolt to Indra. Indra, accepting Krishna’s words, bowed to Govinda and, surrounded by the hosts of gods, returned to his own celestial city. Krishna, too, with Queen Satyabhama, seated upon Garuḍa and praised by sages, entered Dvārakā. He placed the Parijata, the divine tree, near Satyabhama, delighting all his wives. During the nights, Madhusudana, glorious and assuming all forms, dwelled in the houses of all his wives, bringing them happiness. Thus, in the glorious Padma Mahapurana, in the Uttarakanda, in the dialogue of Uma and Maheshvara, in the story of Krishna, this is the two hundred and fifty-first chapter named ‘The Account of the Marriage of Shri Vasudeva.’ After these events, Shri Rudra spoke: At that time, Paundraka Vasudeva, the king of Kashi, undertook great austerities. He worshipped Mahesha in seclusion at Varanasi for twelve years, fasting and reciting the five-syllable mantra. In the course of his penance, he offered a lotus plucked from his very own eye to Shankara. Pleased with his devotion, Shulapani—the Lord of Uma—appeared before him and said, “Choose a boon.” Paundraka Vasudeva replied, “O gracious Shiva, Lord of all beings, five-faced one, grant me a form equal to Vasudeva.