Having vanquished the enemy forces through his clever strategy, Krishna entered the great city of Mathurā. There, he took possession of the splendid elephants, swift horses, and magnificent chariots belonging to his foes. Gathering these treasures, Krishna brought them before Ugrasena and presented them at Dvārakā. The Yadu clan, now strengthened and secure, no longer feared being overpowered by their adversaries. With peace restored, Baladeva, whose heart yearned for his kin, set out for Nandagokula. There, the cowherds and cowherd women greeted him as they had in days past, showering him with honor and affection. Baladeva embraced some, was embraced by others, and delighted in friendly jests with the cowherds and the cowherd women alike. The cowherds spoke to him with deep affection, while the gopis, some with loving anger, others with gentle jealousy, voiced their feelings. Some among them questioned Baladeva about Krishna, beloved now by the city women: "Does fickle-hearted Krishna dwell happily? Has he, who once mocked our ways, now bestowed greater fortune and honor upon the women of the city, though his friendship with them is fleeting? Does Krishna remember our songs and our dances? Will he ever return, even once, to see his mother?" Then another spoke, "But why dwell on these matters? Let us speak of other things. For just as we are without him, so too must he be without us. Father, mother, brother, husband, and all other kin—what are they to us? We have left them all for his sake, yet he bears the banner of ingratitude. Does Krishna ever speak of us, or wish to return? Tell us truly, Rama, and do not deceive us. That Damodara, Govinda, whose heart is now caught by the city women, seems to have forgotten us and appears far away." Their hearts overcome with longing for Hari, the gopis called out his names, "Krishna" and "Damodara," their voices trembling with emotion. But Baladeva comforted them with sweet and gentle words, filled with love and free from pride, and shared Krishna’s enchanting messages, soothing their hearts. As before, Rama delighted in playful and charming conversations with the cowherds, enjoying his time in the land of Vraja. Disguised in human form, that great soul, Shesha, the bearer of the earth, wandered through the forest with the cowherds. For his enjoyment, Varuna, lord of the waters, spoke to his daughter Varuni: "O auspicious Varuni, whose desire is always for wine, go for the joy of Ananta and bring him delight." At her father’s command, Varuni appeared in the hollow of a kadamba tree in the forest of Vrindavana. As Balarama wandered there, he caught the excellent scent of wine and, with eager joy, fulfilled his ancient desire. Suddenly, he saw a stream of wine flowing from the kadamba tree and experienced supreme delight. Together with the cowherds and cowherd women, he drank joyfully while skilled singers and musicians filled the air with charming melodies. Surrounded by heat and sparkling drops of water, Balarama, his mind overwhelmed, called out, "Come, Yamuna! I wish to bathe." But the river, disregarding his intoxicated command, did not come. Angered, Balarama seized his plough and dragged the river towards him, saying, "You wicked one, you do not come! Go as you wish!" Dragged by his might, the Yamuna abandoned her winding course and flowed directly to where Balarama stood, flooding the land. Assuming a bodily form, her eyes wide with fear, the river pleaded, "Be gracious, O wielder of the mace, release me!" But Balarama, still stern, replied, "If you disregard my strength, I shall strike you with my plough and shatter you into a thousand pieces!" Terrified, the river begged for mercy, and when the land was flooded, Balarama released her. Then, Balarama’s radiance was restored. He adorned himself with a beautiful lotus ornament and a single earring. Lakṣmī herself bestowed upon him a garland of unfading lotuses sent by Varuṇa, along with garments as blue as the ocean. Thus adorned, Balarama shone with splendor, delighting in Vraja. After a month had passed, he returned once again to Dvārakā. In time, Balarama married Revatī, the daughter of King Raivata, and from their union were born two sons: Niśatha and Ulmuka. Meanwhile, in the city of Kuṇḍina in Vidarbha, King Bhīṣmaka ruled. His son was Rukmī, and his daughter was the illustrious Rukmiṇī. Rukmiṇī longed for Krishna, and Krishna desired her, the lovely-smiling maiden. But Rukmī, out of enmity, refused to give her to Krishna, though he was her suitor. Instead, at Jarāsandha’s urging, Bhīṣmaka and Rukmī arranged for Rukmiṇī to be wed to Śiśupāla. For the wedding, all the great kings led by Jarāsandha gathered in Kuṇḍina to honor Śiśupāla. Krishna, accompanied by Balarāma and many other Yādavas, also journeyed to Kuṇḍina to witness the wedding of the king.