On another occasion, Krishna and Rukmini are making love on a golden bed in a palace bedecked with gems.  The sheets are white as foam and are decorated with flowers.  Pictures have been painted on the walls and every aid to pleasure has been provided.  Rukmini is lovelier than ever, while Krishna, ‘the root of joy,’ dazzles her with a face lovely as the moon, a skin the colour of clouds, a peacock crown, a long garland of flowers and a scarf of yellow silk.  As he lies, he is ’the sea of beauty, the light of the three worlds.’  After making love, Krishna suddenly asks Rukmini why she preferred him to Sisupala.  He points out that he is not a king and is therefore quite unworthy of her, that since he has rescued her from Sisupala, her wish has been accomplished and it is best that she should now leave him and marry a prince of the royal blood who will be worthy of her name.  Rukmini is stunned at the suggestion.  She collapses on the floor, her hair obscuring her lovely face.  Krishna raises her up, sits her on his knees, and strokes her cheeks.  When at length Rukmini revives, Krishna hastens to explain that he was only jesting and that in view of her deep love he will never abandon her.  Rukmini assures him that nowhere in the world is there Krishna’s equal.  The beggars who recited his praises and from whom she first heard his name, were in fact Brahma and Siva.  All the gods revere him.  To adore him is the only joy.  Those who love Krishna alone are happy.  If blinded by pride a man forgets him, Krishna abases him.  It was because Rukmini besought his compassion that Krishna has loved her.  Hearing her simple sincerity, Krishna is greatly moved and says, ’Love of my heart, you know me through and through.  You have given yourself to me, adored me and known my love.  I shall love you always.’  Rukmini hears him with deep contentment and the two make love.

Such a declaration however is not intended to imply a cold neglect of his other wives for it is part of Krishna’s role that he should please and satisfy all.  Accordingly, when Narada, the sage, makes one of his recurring appearances—­this time in order to investigate how Krishna contrives to keep happy so vast a concourse of women—­he finds Krishna everywhere.  With Rukmini he reclines at ease, with Jambhavati he plays dice, at Satyabhama’s house, he is having his body rubbed with oil, at Kalindi’s, he is asleep.  In this way, wherever Narada goes, he finds Krishna with one or other of his queens.  In fact, the same ‘delusive’ powers which he had earlier employed when dancing with the cowgirls—­making each believe he was dancing with her and her alone—­are now being used to satisfy his wives.