Thus, the young maiden Rukmini, her heart and mind entirely captivated by Govinda, sat quietly in her chambers, reflecting on the passage of time as tears filled her eyes. As she waited anxiously for Govinda’s arrival, her left thigh, arm, and eye—all considered auspicious signs—began to tremble, signaling hope and anticipation. At that very moment, following Krishna’s instructions, the foremost Brahmin entered the inner quarters and saw the princess moving about. When she noticed the Brahmin, her face lit up with delight and her mind remained tranquil. Skilled in recognizing omens and signs, she approached him with a pure smile and questioned him gently. The Brahmin then conveyed to her the joyous news: the son of the Yadu dynasty had arrived, and he faithfully relayed Krishna’s words regarding the upcoming self-choice ceremony. Hearing this, Rukmini, the princess of Vidarbha, was overcome with joy. Out of modesty and the unique affection she held for the Brahmin, she did not look at him directly. Meanwhile, as news of Krishna and Balarama’s arrival spread, the king, eager to witness his daughter’s wedding, welcomed them with great honor, accompanied by the sounds of musical instruments. They brought honey, milk, pure garments, and many desired gifts, worshipping Krishna and Balarama with all the proper rituals. A splendid residence was prepared for the two brothers, their armies, and attendants, and they were offered every form of hospitality. The assembled kings, too, were honored according to their valor, age, strength, and wealth, each receiving offerings as befitted their status. When the people of Vidarbha heard that Krishna had arrived, they flocked to see him, gazing upon his lotus-like face with hands respectfully joined to their eyes in reverence. They said among themselves, “Only Rukmini is fit to be his wife, and he, flawless in nature, is the proper husband for Bhishmaka’s daughter. Whatever little good fortune we possess has pleased the Lord of the three worlds; may Achyuta accept the hand of our princess.” Thus, bound by the thread of love, the townspeople spoke in hope and joy. Rukmini herself left her inner chambers, proceeding toward the temple of Ambika, protected by vigilant soldiers. She walked on foot, intent on worshipping the tender feet of Bhavani, yet her heart remained absorbed in contemplation of Mukunda’s lotus feet. Surrounded by her mothers and friends, and guarded by brave royal soldiers clad in armor and bearing raised weapons, the air resounded with the music of drums, conches, cymbals, trumpets, and kettle-drums. A procession of thousands of noble women, beautifully adorned, carried offerings, garlands, perfumes, garments, and ornaments for the priests. Singers and musicians sang her praises, while bards, genealogists, and heralds joined the throng. Upon arriving at the goddess’s abode, Rukmini washed her feet and hands, purified herself, and entered the sanctum of Ambika with a peaceful heart. The elderly wives of the Brahmins, knowledgeable and devoted, accompanied her in worshipping Bhavani, the wife of Bhava, who was endowed with all prosperity. With deep reverence, Rukmini bowed and prayed, “O Ambika, I bow to you again and again, auspicious Mother, accompanied by your own children. May Krishna, the blessed one, become my husband; may you be pleased with me.” The Brahmin women, together with their husbands, worshipped the goddess with fragrant substances, unbroken rice, incense, garments, garlands, ornaments, various offerings, food, and rows of lamps, as well as salt, cakes, betel leaves, necklaces, fruits, and sugarcane. They offered the remnants and their blessings to Rukmini, who accepted them with humility and bowed respectfully. Having completed her worship and abandoning her vow of silence, Rukmini departed from Ambika’s house, holding her maidservant’s hand, her own hand adorned with a jeweled ring. Her slender waist, face shining with earrings and jewels, dark complexion, jeweled girdle at her hips, and prominent breasts, all veiled by her curling locks, made her appear like the enchanting, steadfast Māyā of the gods. Her pure smile, lips red as bimba fruit, teeth like jasmine buds, and her graceful, swan-like gait, accompanied by the gentle tinkling of her anklets, captivated all who beheld her. The assembled heroes, renowned for their valor, were overcome with love and fainted at her sight. The kings, their minds stolen by her noble smile and bashful glances, dropped their weapons in awe. Those illustrious kings, bewildered and seated upon elephants, chariots, and horses, fell to the ground, as Rukmini, under the pretext of the procession, offered her own splendor to Hari. Moving slowly, her lotus-like feet shifting, she looked expectantly for the approach of the Lord. Brushing aside her hair with her left hand, she glanced modestly at the kings who had gathered, and then saw Acyuta—Krishna himself. As the royal maiden was about to mount her chariot, Krishna swiftly seized her before the eyes of all his rivals. Placing her on his chariot, adorned with the emblem of Garuḍa, Mādhava, disregarding the assembly of kings, departed slowly, led by Balarama. He moved like a lion carrying away its prey from among jackals. The proud kings, unable to endure their defeat and loss of honor—especially Jarāsandha and his allies—cried out in shame, “Alas, shame upon us! Armed with weapons, we have been robbed by cowherds, just as lions take deer from among other beasts.” Śuka continued: All those kings, greatly enraged, mounted their vehicles, armed themselves, and, surrounded by their armies, set out in pursuit with drawn bows. Seeing them advancing, the chiefs of the Yādava army stood firm, facing their foes with bows stretched tight and resounding. Skilled in the use of weapons, standing on horses, elephants, and chariots, the Yādava warriors released showers of arrows, like clouds pouring rain upon mountains. Observing her husband’s army covered by torrents of arrows, Rukmini, slender-waisted and beautiful, looked at Krishna’s face with bashful, fear-stricken eyes. The Lord, smiling gently, reassured her: “Do not fear, O lotus-eyed one; this hostile force of yours will now be destroyed by your own kin.” Unable to bear the enemy’s might, Gada, Saṅkarṣaṇa (Balarama), and the other Yādava heroes struck the opposing horses, elephants, and chariots with iron arrows. The heads of charioteers, horsemen, and elephant riders, adorned with earrings, crowns, and turbans, fell to the earth by the thousands. Arms holding swords, maces, and bows, as well as elephants, thighs, feet, horses, mules, camels, oxen, donkeys, and the heads of men—all were struck down in the fierce battle that ensued.