The Marriage of Rukmini

Princess Rukmini of Vidarbha had given her heart to Krishna. Answering her letter, the Lord came and carried her away from the temple of Ambika.

King Bhishmaka of Vidarbha, who ruled from the city of Kundina, had five sons and one daughter, Rukmini, who was regarded as a form of Lakshmi herself. From the visitors to her father's court she had heard of Krishna's beauty, wisdom and virtue, and in her heart she had already chosen him as her husband. Her family elders were happy with this, but her eldest brother Rukmi hated Krishna and insisted that she be married to his friend Shishupala, the king of Chedi. The wedding date was fixed.

Rukmini did not lose courage. She called a trustworthy brahmin and sent him to Dwarka with a letter. In it she wrote that she had surrendered herself to Krishna alone, that he should not let Shishupala take what belonged to the lion, and she told him how he could come for her. On the day before the wedding, she wrote, the bride goes outside the city to worship the goddess Ambika. If he did not come, she would give up her life and seek him in lives to come.

Krishna read the letter, smiled and said that his heart too was with Rukmini. He set out at once in his chariot with the brahmin, and Balarama, fearing trouble, followed with the Yadava army. In Kundina, kings like Jarasandha had gathered to support Shishupala. Rukmini waited anxiously, and her left eye and arm throbbed, a good omen. Then the brahmin returned with the happy news.

On the wedding day Rukmini walked to the temple of Ambika, prayed to the goddess and came out. As the assembled kings gazed at her, Krishna appeared, lifted her onto his chariot before everyone's eyes and drove away. The angry kings pursued them, but Balarama and the Yadavas drove them back.

Rukmi had vowed not to return to Kundina without killing Krishna. He chased the chariot and fought, but Krishna broke all his weapons and raised his sword to strike. Rukmini fell at Krishna's feet and begged for her brother's life. Krishna spared him, but shaved his head and moustache in patches as a mark of defeat and bound him. Balarama then freed Rukmi and gently consoled Rukmini.

In Dwarka the marriage of Krishna and Rukmini was celebrated with great joy. The Bhagavatam says that whoever hears this story with faith is blessed with peace and happiness.

Source

Shrimad Bhagavatam, Canto 10, ch. 52–54

Place

Kundinapura (Vidarbha) – Dwarka

Lesson

The Lord answers the call of a heart that has given itself to him completely.