śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; ittham — in this manner; saḥ — he; anugrahītaḥ — shown mercy; aṅga — my dear (Parīkṣit Mahārāja); kṛṣṇena — by Lord Kṛṣṇa; ikṣvāku-nandanaḥ — Mucukunda, the beloved descendant of Ikṣvāku; tam — Him; parikramya — circumambulating; sannamya — bowing down; niścakrāma — he went out; guhā — of the cave; mukhāt — from the mouth.

saṁvīkṣya — noticing; kṣullakān — tiny; martyān — the human beings; paśūn — animals; vīrut — plants; vanaspatīn — and trees; matvā — considering; kali-yugam — the Age of Kali; prāptam — having arrived; jagāma — he went; diśam — to the direction; uttarām — northern.

tapaḥ — in austerities; śraddhā — faith; yutaḥ — having; dhīraḥ — serious; niḥsaṅgaḥ — detached from material association; mukta — freed; saṁśayaḥ — of doubts; samādhāya — fixing in trance; manaḥ — his mind; kṛṣṇe — upon Lord Kṛṣṇa; prāviśat — he entered upon; gandhamādanam — the mountain known as Gandhamādana.

badarī-āśramam — the hermitage Badarikāśrama; āsādya — reaching; nara-nārāyaṇa — of the Supreme Lord’s dual incarnation as Nara and Nārāyaṇa; ālayam — the residence; sarva — all; dvandva — dualities; sahaḥ — tolerating; śāntaḥ — peaceful; tapasā — with severe austerities; ārādhayat — he worshiped; harim — Lord Kṛṣṇa.

bhagavān — the Lord; punaḥ — once again; āvrajya — returning; purīm — to His city; yavana — by the Yavanas; veṣṭitām — surrounded; hatvā — killing; mleccha — of barbarians; balam — the army; ninye — He brought; tadīyam — their; dvārakām — to Dvārakā; dhanam — wealth.

nīyamāne — as it was being taken; dhane — the wealth; gobhiḥ — by oxen; nṛbhiḥ — by men; ca — and; acyuta — by Lord Kṛṣṇa; coditaiḥ — engaged; ājugāma — came there; jarāsandhaḥ — Jarāsandha; trayaḥ — three; viṁśati — plus twenty; anīka — of armies; paḥ — the leader.

vilokya — seeing; vega — of the waves; rabhasam — the fierceness; ripu — enemy; sainyasya — of the armies; mādhavau — the two Mādhavas (Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma); manuṣya — humanlike; ceṣṭām — behavior; āpannau — assuming; rājan — O King (Parīkṣit); dudruvatuḥ — ran away; drutam — quickly.

vihāya — abandoning; vittam — the riches; pracuram — abundant; abhītau — actually unafraid; bhīru — like cowards; bhīta-vat — as if frightened; padbhyām — with Their feet; padma — of lotuses; palāśābhyām — like petals; celatuḥ — They went; bahu-yojanam — for many yojanas (one yojana is slightly more than eight miles).

palāyamānau — who were fleeing; tau — Those two; dṛṣṭvā — seeing; māgadhaḥ — Jarāsandha; prahasan — laughing loudly; balī — powerful; anvadhāvat — he ran after; ratha — with charioteers; anīkaiḥ — and soldiers; īśayoḥ — of the Lords; apramāṇa-vit — unaware of the scope.

pradrutya — having run with full speed; dūram — a long distance; saṁśrāntau — exhausted; tuṅgam — very high; āruhatām — They climbed; girim — the mountain; pravarṣaṇa-ākhyam — known as Pravarṣaṇa; bhagavān — Lord Indra; nityadā — always; yatra — where; varṣati — he rains.

girau — on the mountain; nilīnau — hiding; ājñāya — being aware; na adhigamya — not finding; padam — Their location; nṛpa — O King (Parīkṣit); dadāha — he set ablaze; girim — the mountain; edhobhiḥ — with firewood; samantāt — on all sides; agnim — fire; utsṛjan — generating.

tataḥ — from it (the mountain); utpatya — jumping; tarasā — with haste; dahyamāna — which were burning; taṭāt — whose sides; ubhau — the two of Them; daśa-eka — eleven; yojanāt — yojanas; tuṅgāt — high; nipetatuḥ — They fell; adhaḥ — down; bhuvi — to the ground.

alakṣyamāṇau — not being seen; ripuṇā — by Their enemy; sa — together; anugena — with his followers; yadu — of the Yadus; uttamau — the two most excellent; sva-puram — to Their own city (Dvārakā); punaḥ — again; āyātau — They went; samudra — the ocean; parikhām — having as its protective moat; nṛpa — O King.

saḥ — he; api — further; dagdhau — both burned in the fire; iti — thus; mṛṣā — falsely; manvānaḥ — thinking; bala-keśavau — Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa; balam — his force; ākṛṣya — pulling back; su-mahat — huge; magadhān — to the kingdom of the Magadhas; māgadhaḥ — the King of the Magadhas; yayau — went.

ānarta — of the Ānarta Province; adhipatiḥ — the overlord; śrīmān — opulent; raivataḥ — Raivata; raivatīm — named Raivatī; sutām — his daughter; brahmaṇā — by Lord Brahmā; coditaḥ — ordered; prādāt — gave; balāya — to Balarāma; iti — thus; purā — previously; uditam — mentioned.

bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; api — indeed; govindaḥ — Kṛṣṇa; upayeme — married; kuru-udvaha — O hero among the Kurus (Parīkṣit); vaidarbhīm — Rukmiṇī; bhīṣmaka-sutām — the daughter of King Bhīṣmaka; śriyaḥ — of the goddess of fortune; mātrām — the plenary portion; svayam-vare — by her own choice; pramathya — subduing; tarasā — by force; rājñaḥ — kings; śālva-ādīn — Śālva and others; caidya — of Śiśupāla; pakṣa-gān — the supporters; paśyatām — as they looked on; sarva — all; lokānām — the people; tārkṣya-putraḥ — the son of Tārkṣya (Garuḍa); sudhām — the nectar of heaven; iva — as.

śrī-rājā uvāca — the King (Parīkṣit Mahārāja) said; bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; bhīṣmaka-sutām — the daughter of Bhīṣmaka; rukmiṇīm — Śrīmatī Rukmiṇī-devī; rucira — charming; ānanām — whose face; rākṣasena — called Rākṣasa; vidhānena — by the method (namely, by kidnapping); upayeme — He married; iti — thus; śrutam — heard.

bhagavan — O lord (Śukadeva Gosvāmī); śrotum — to hear; icchāmi — I wish; kṛṣṇasya — about Kṛṣṇa; amita — immeasurable; tejasaḥ — whose potency; yathā — how; māgadha-śālva-ādīn — such kings as Jarāsandha and Śālva; jitvā — defeating; kanyām — the bride; upāharat — He took away.

brahman — O brāhmaṇa; kṛṣṇa-kathāḥ — topics of Kṛṣṇa; puṇyāḥ — pious; mādhvīḥ — sweet; loka — of the world; mala — the contamination; apahāḥ — which remove; kaḥ — who; nu — at all; tṛpyeta — would become satiated; śṛṇvānaḥ — hearing; śruta — what is heard; jñaḥ — who can understand; nitya — always; nūtanāḥ — novel.

śrī-bādarāyaṇiḥ — Śrī Bādarāyaṇi (Śukadeva, the son of Badarāyaṇa Vedavyāsa); uvāca — said; rājā — a king; āsīt — there was; bhīṣmakaḥ nāma — named Bhīṣmaka; vidarbha-adhipatiḥ — ruler of the kingdom Vidarbha; mahān — great; tasya — his; pañca — five; abhavan — there were; putrāḥ — sons; kanyā — daughter; ekā — one; ca — and; vara — exceptionally beautiful; ānanā — whose face.

rukmī — Rukmī; agra-jaḥ — the first-born; rukma-rathaḥ rukmabāhuḥ — Rukmaratha and Rukmabāhu; anantaraḥ — following him; rukma-keśaḥ rukma-mālī — Rukmakeśa and Rukmamālī; rukmiṇī — Rukmiṇī; eṣā — she; svasā — sister; satī — of saintly character.

sā — she; upaśrutya — hearing; mukundasya — Kṛṣṇa’s; rūpa — about the beauty; vīrya — prowess; guṇa — character; śriyaḥ — and opulences; gṛha — to her family’s residence; āgataiḥ — by those who came; gīyamānāḥ — being sung; tam — Him; mene — she thought; sadṛśam — suitable; patim — husband.

tām — her; buddhi — of intelligence; lakṣaṇa — auspicious bodily markings; audārya — magnanimity; rūpa — beauty; śīla — proper behavior; guṇa — and other personal qualities; āśrayām — repository; kṛṣṇaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; ca — and; sadṛśīm — suitable; bhāryām — wife; samudvoḍhum — to marry; manaḥ — His mind; dadhe — made up.

bandhūnām — her family members; icchatām — even as they were desiring; dātum — to give; kṛṣṇāya — to Kṛṣṇa; bhaginīm — their sister; nṛpa — O King; tataḥ — from this; nivārya — preventing them; kṛṣṇa-dviṭ — hateful of Kṛṣṇa; rukmī — Rukmī; caidyam — Caidya (Śiśupāla); amanyata — considered.

tat — that; avetya — knowing; asita — dark; apāṅgī — the corners of whose eyes; vaidarbhī — the princess of Vidarbha; durmanā — unhappy; bhṛśam — very much; vicintya — thinking; āptam — reliable; dvijam — brāhmaṇa; kañcit — a certain; kṛṣṇāya — to Kṛṣṇa; prāhiṇot — sent; drutam — with haste.

dvārakām — at Dvārakā; saḥ — he (the brāhmaṇa); samabhyetya — arriving; pratīhāraiḥ — by the gatekeepers; praveśitaḥ — brought inside; apaśyat — he saw; ādyam — the original; puruṣam — Supreme Person; āsīnam — seated; kāñcana — golden; āsane — on a throne.

dṛṣṭvā — seeing; brahmaṇya — who is considerate to the brāhmaṇas; devaḥ — the Lord; tam — him; avaruhya — getting down; nija — His own; āsanāt — from the throne; upaveśya — seating him; arhayām cakre — He performed worship; yathā — as; ātmānam — to Himself; diva-okasaḥ — the residents of heaven.

tam — him; bhuktavantam — having eaten; viśrāntam — rested; upagamya — approaching; satām — of saintly devotees; gatiḥ — the goal; pāṇinā — with His hands; abhimṛśan — massaging; pādau — his feet; avyagraḥ — without agitation; tam — of him; apṛcchata — He inquired.

kaccit — whether; dvija — of the brāhmaṇas; vara — first-class; śreṣṭha — O best; dharmaḥ — religious principles; te — your; vṛddha — by senior authorities; sammataḥ — sanctioned; vartate — are proceeding; na — not; ati — too much; kṛcchreṇa — with difficulty; santuṣṭa — fully satisfied; manasaḥ — whose mind; sadā — always.

santuṣṭaḥ — satisfied; yarhi — when; varteta — carries on; brāhmaṇaḥ — a brāhmaṇa; yena kenacit — with whatever; ahīyamānaḥ — not falling short; svāt — of his own; dharmāt — religious duty; saḥ — those religious principles; hi — indeed; asya — for him; akhila — of everything; kāma-dhuk — the mystic cow, milked for fulfillment of any desire.

asantuṣṭaḥ — dissatisfied; asakṛt — repeatedly; lokān — various planets; āpnoti — he attains; api — even though; sura — of the demigods; īśvaraḥ — the master; akiñcanaḥ — possessing nothing; api — even; santuṣṭaḥ — satisfied; śete — he rests; sarva — all; aṅga — his limbs; vijvaraḥ — free of distress.

viprān — to the learned brāhmaṇas; sva — their own; lābha — by the gain; santuṣṭān — satisfied; sādhūn — saintly; bhūta — of all living beings; suhṛt-tamān — the best well-wishing friends; nirahaṅkāriṇaḥ — devoid of false ego; śāntān — peaceful; namasye — I bow down; śirasā — with My head; asakṛt — again and again.

kaccit — whether; vaḥ — your; kuśalam — well-being; brahman — O brāhmaṇa; rājataḥ — from the King; yasya — whose; hi — indeed; prajāḥ — subjects; sukham — happily; vasanti — reside; viṣaye — in the state; pālyamānāḥ — being protected; saḥ — he; me — to Me; priyaḥ — dear.

yataḥ — from which place; tvam — you; āgataḥ — have come; durgam — the impassable sea; nistīrya — crossing; iha — here; yat — with what; icchayā — desire; sarvam — everything; naḥ — to Us; brūhi — please tell; aguhyam — not secret; cet — if; kim — what; kāryam — work; karavāma — may We do; te — for you.

evam — thus; sampṛṣṭa — asked; sampraśnaḥ — questions; brāhmaṇaḥ — the brāhmaṇa; parameṣṭhinā — by the Supreme Personality of Godhead; līla — as His pastime; gṛhīta — who assumes; dehena — His bodies; tasmai — to Him; sarvam — everything; avarṇayat — he related.

śrī-rukmiṇī uvāca — Śrī Rukmiṇī said; śrutvā — hearing; guṇān — the qualities; bhuvana — of all the worlds; sundara — O beauty; śṛṇvatām — for those who hear; te — Your; nirviśya — having entered; karṇa — of the ears; vivaraiḥ — by the orifices; harataḥ — removing; aṅga — of their bodies; tāpam — the pain; rūpam — the beauty; dṛśām — of the sense of sight; dṛśi-matām — of those who have eyes; akhila — total; artha — of the fulfillment of desires; lābham — the obtaining; tvayi — in You; acyuta — O infallible Kṛṣṇa; āviśati — is entering; cittam — mind; apatrapam — shameless; me — my.

kā — who; tvā — You; mukunda — O Kṛṣṇa; mahatī — aristocratic; kula — in terms of family background; śīla — character; rūpa — beauty; vidyā — knowledge; vayaḥ — youth; draviṇa — property; dhāmabhiḥ — and influence; ātma — to Yourself only; tulyam — equal; dhīrā — who is sober; patim — as her husband; kula-vatī — of a good family; na vṛṇīta — would not choose; kanyā — marriageable young lady; kāle — at such a time; nṛ — among men; siṁha — O lion; nara-loka — of human society; manaḥ — to the minds; abhirāmam — who give pleasure.

tat — therefore; me — by me; bhavān — Your good self; khalu — indeed; vṛtaḥ — chosen; patiḥ — as husband; aṅga — dear Lord; jāyām — as wife; ātmā — myself; arpitaḥ — offered; ca — and; bhavataḥ — to You; atra — here; vibho — O omnipotent one; vidhehi — please accept; mā — never; vīra — of the hero; bhāgam — the portion; abhimarśatu — should touch; caidyaḥ — Śiśupāla, son of the King of Cedi; ārāt — swiftly; gomāyu-vat — like a jackal; mṛga-pateḥ — belonging to the king of animals, the lion; balim — the tribute; ambuja-akṣa — O lotus-eyed one.

pūrta — by pious works (such as feeding brāhmaṇas, digging wells, etc.); iṣṭa — sacrificial performances; datta — charity; niyama — ritual observances (such as visiting holy places); vrata — vows of penance; deva — of the demigods; vipra — brāhmaṇas; guru — and spiritual masters; arcana — by worship; ādibhiḥ — and by other activities; alam — sufficiently; bhagavān — the Personality of Godhead; para — supreme; īśaḥ — controller; ārādhitaḥ — rendered devotional service; yadi — if; gada-agrajaḥ — Kṛṣṇa, the elder brother of Gada; etya — coming here; pāṇim — the hand; gṛhṇātu — may please take; me — my; na — not; damaghoṣa-suta — Śiśupāla, the son of Damaghoṣa; ādayaḥ — and so on; anye — others.

śvaḥ bhāvini — tomorrow; tvam — You; ajita — O unconquerable one; udvahane — at the time of the marriage ceremony; vidarbhān — to Vidarbha; guptaḥ — unseen; sametya — coming; pṛtanā — of Your army; patibhiḥ — by the leaders; parītaḥ — surrounded; nirmathya — crushing; caidya — of Caidya, Śiśupāla; magadha-indra — and the King of Magadha, Jarāsandha; balam — the military strength; prasahya — by force; mām — me; rākṣasena vidhinā — in the Rākṣasa style; udvaha — take in marriage; vīrya — Your prowess; śulkām — the payment for whom.

antaḥ-pura — the women’s quarters of the palace; antara — within; carīm — moving; anihatya — without killing; bandhūn — your relatives; tvām — you; udvahe — I shall carry away; katham — how; iti — saying such words; pravadāmi — I shall explain; upāyam — a means; pūrve-dyuḥ — on the day before; asti — there is; mahatī — large; kula — of the royal family; deva — for the presiding deity; yātrā — a ceremonial procession; yasyām — in which; bahiḥ — outside; nava — new; vadhūḥ — the bride; girijām — goddess Girijā (Ambikā); upeyāt — approaches.

yasya — whose; aṅghri — of the feet; paṅkaja — lotus; rajaḥ — with the dust; snapanam — bathing; mahāntaḥ — great souls; vāñchanti — hanker after; umā-patiḥ — Lord Śiva, husband of Goddess Umā; iva — just as; ātma — their own; tamaḥ — of the ignorance; apahatyai — to vanquish; yarhi — when; ambuja-akṣa — O lotus-eyed one; na labheya — I cannot obtain; bhavat — Your; prasādam — mercy; jahyām — I should give up; asūn — my life airs; vrata — by austere penances; kṛśān — weakened; śata — hundreds; janmabhiḥ — after lifetimes; syāt — it may be.

brāhmaṇaḥ uvāca — the brāhmaṇa said; iti — thus; ete — these; guhya — confidential; sandeśāḥ — messages; yadu-deva — O Lord of the Yadus; mayā — by me; āhṛtāḥ — brought; vimṛśya — considering; kartum — to be done; yat — what; ca — and; atra — in this matter; kriyatām — please do; tat — that; anantaram — immediately following.