Canto Ten - Chapter 58

Śrī Śuka said: Once the glorious Supreme Person went to Indraprastha to see the Pāṇḍavas, now established in their kingdom, accompanied by Yuyudhāna and others.

Seeing Mukunda, Lord of all, arrive, the heroic sons of Pṛthā rose together, like the vital airs rising when the chief life air returns.

The heroes embraced Acyuta, and contact with His body destroyed their sins. Beholding His face smiling with affection, they rejoiced.

After bowing at the feet of Yudhiṣṭhira and Bhīma, Kṛṣṇa embraced Phālguna and then received the obeisance of the twins.

When Kṛṣṇa had taken the finest seat, faultless Draupadī, newly married and somewhat shy, slowly approached and bowed to Him.

Sātyaki was likewise honored and greeted by the Pāṇḍavas and sat upon a seat. The other visitors were also honored and seated around them.

Kṛṣṇa approached Pṛthā and bowed to her. She embraced Him, her eyes moist with intense affection. After asking about their relatives, He inquired after His paternal aunt and her daughters-in-law.

Remembering their many sufferings and the sight of Him that ends all distress, she spoke to Kṛṣṇa with her throat choked by love and her eyes filled with tears.

Our welfare began at the very moment You remembered us, Your relatives, O Kṛṣṇa, and sent my brother to us. You made us people who possess a protector.

As the friend and Self of the universe, You have no delusion of 'mine' and 'another's.' Yet, residing in the hearts of those who constantly remember You, You destroy their suffering.

Yudhiṣṭhira said: O supreme ruler, I do not know what auspicious deed we dull-witted men have performed that You, whom even the masters of yoga rarely behold, have appeared before us.

Thus requested by the king, the mighty Lord happily remained through the rainy-season months, bringing delight to the eyes of Indraprastha's residents.

One day victorious Arjuna mounted his monkey-bannered chariot, taking up the Gāṇḍīva bow and two inexhaustible quivers.

Armored and accompanied by Kṛṣṇa, the slayer of enemy heroes entered a vast forest crowded with many beasts and wild animals for sport.

There he shot tigers, boars, buffaloes, ruru deer, śarabhas, wild oxen, rhinoceroses, deer, rabbits, and porcupines with his arrows.

His servants brought to the king those animals fit for sacrifice when the appointed festival arrived. Tormented by thirst and wearied, Arjuna went to the Yamunā.

The two great chariot warriors, Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, purified themselves there and drank the clear water. Then they saw a lovely maiden wandering nearby.

At his friend's request, Phālguna approached that excellent woman, beautiful-hipped, lovely-toothed, and charming-faced, and questioned her.

Who are you, slender-waisted one? Whose daughter are you, where have you come from, and what do you wish to accomplish? I think you desire a husband. Tell me everything, beautiful one.

Śrī Kālindī said: I am the daughter of the sun-god. Desiring as my husband the most excellent Viṣṇu, the granter of boons, I have undertaken supreme austerity.

Hero, I shall choose no husband other than Him, the abode of Śrī. May that Supreme Lord Mukunda, refuge of the shelterless, be pleased with me.

I am known as Kālindī and live in the waters of the Yamunā, in a house my father built, until I obtain the sight of Acyuta.

Guḍākeśa reported her words to Vāsudeva. Knowing her heart, He placed her upon His chariot and returned to Dharmarāja.

At that time Kṛṣṇa, at the Pāṇḍavas' request, had Viśvakarmā construct for them an extraordinarily wonderful and varied city.

Living there to please His own people, the Supreme Lord served as Arjuna's charioteer when the Khāṇḍava forest was offered to Agni.

Pleased, Agni gave Arjuna a bow, white horses, a chariot, two inexhaustible quivers, and armor impenetrable by weapons, O King.

Maya, whom Arjuna rescued from the fire, presented his friend with an assembly hall in which Duryodhana later became confused about water and solid ground.

With Yudhiṣṭhira's permission and the approval of His friends, Kṛṣṇa returned to Dvārakā, accompanied by Sātyaki and other leaders.

Then the supremely auspicious Lord married Kālindī during an eminently sacred season and constellation, spreading the highest joy among His own people.

Vindya and Anuvindya, the two princes of Avanti who followed Duryodhana, forbade their sister, who was attached to Kṛṣṇa, from choosing Him at her svayaṃvara.

O King, before the eyes of the assembled rulers, Kṛṣṇa forcibly carried away Mitravindā, the daughter of His paternal aunt Rājādhidevī.

There was an exceptionally righteous king of Kosala named Nagnajit. O King, his divine daughter Satyā was also called Nāgnajitī.

No king could marry her without first conquering seven savage bulls, whose horns were sharp, who were exceedingly difficult to subdue, and who could not tolerate even the scent of a warrior.

Hearing that she could be won by defeating the bulls, the Supreme Lord, master of the Sātvatas, went to the capital of Kosala surrounded by a great army.

Delighted, the king of Kosala rose to receive Him, offered Him a seat and other honors, and worshiped Him with elaborate offerings. The Lord graciously accepted them.

Seeing that her desired bridegroom had arrived, the king's daughter longed for Ramā's Lord. She prayed, 'May He become my husband. If I have faithfully kept my vow, may the fire of my blessings make it true.'

Śrī, lotus-born Brahmā, Girīśa, and all the guardians of the worlds bear upon their heads the dust of His lotus feet. He assumes a pastime body at the proper time to protect the sacred order He established. By what act of mine could that Supreme Lord be pleased?

Having worshiped Nārāyaṇa, the king again said: O Lord of the universe, You are full in Your own bliss. What can an insignificant person like me do for You?

Śrī Śuka said: Having accepted the offered seat, the delighted Supreme Lord smilingly addressed him in a voice deep as a cloud, O descendant of Kuru.

The Supreme Lord said: O king, wise men condemn begging by a royal kṣatriya who follows his own dharma. Nevertheless, out of desire for your friendship, I ask for your daughter. We do not offer a bride-price.

The King said: O Lord, what bridegroom could be superior to You or more desired here? You are the sole abode of every virtue, and imperishable Śrī dwells upon Your body.

Yet, O foremost Sātvata, we previously established a condition to test the prowess of the men who wished to obtain our daughter.

Hero, these seven bulls are untamed and impossible to restrain. Many princes have had their limbs broken by them.

O descendant of Yadu and Lord of Śrī, if You subdue them, You will be the husband my daughter desires.

Hearing the condition, the Lord tightened His clothing, expanded Himself into seven forms, and playfully subdued the bulls.

Śauri tied them with ropes after breaking their pride and strength, then playfully dragged the bound bulls as a boy drags wooden toys.

Astonished and delighted, the king gave his daughter to Kṛṣṇa. The Supreme Lord duly accepted the bride who was His fitting equal.

The royal wives attained supreme joy when their daughter obtained Kṛṣṇa as her beloved husband, and a magnificent festival arose.

Conches, kettledrums, and ānaka drums resounded amid song, instrumental music, and the brāhmaṇas' blessings. Joyful men and women wore fine garments, garlands, and ornaments.

The mighty king gave ten thousand cows as wedding gifts, along with three thousand young maidservants wearing gold necklaces and fine garments.

He gave nine thousand elephants, one hundred times as many chariots, one hundred times as many horses as chariots, and one hundred times as many men as horses.

His heart softened by affection, the king of Kosala placed the couple on their chariot and sent them away surrounded by a great army.

Hearing of this, the kings who had earlier been defeated in strength by the Yadus and the bulls became unbearably angry and attacked as Kṛṣṇa took the maiden along the road.

To please his dear friend, bowman Arjuna drove back the attackers and their volleys of arrows as a lion scatters insignificant beasts.

After accepting the wedding gifts and returning to Dvārakā with Satyā, the Supreme Lord, son of Devakī and foremost of the Yadus, enjoyed life with her.

Kṛṣṇa married Bhadrā, the Kaikeya princess and daughter of His paternal aunt Śrutakīrti, whom her brothers headed by Santardana gave to Him.

At her svayaṃvara He alone carried away Lakṣmaṇā, the daughter of the king of Madra, who was endowed with every auspicious quality, just as Garuḍa carried away the nectar.

Kṛṣṇa had thousands of other beautiful wives obtained in the same manner, whom He brought away from Bhauma's captivity after killing him.