The basic story Bheeshmak, the king of Vidarbha, had two children, Prince Rukmi and Princess Rukmini. Bheeshmak had heard many stories of Krishna's valor and secretly wished him to be his son-in-law. He knew that it might not be possible as Kans's father in law, Jarasandh, was their overlord and he was Krishna's sworn enemy.Now Rukmi was a friend of Kans and owed his allegiance to Jarasandh. He wanted his younger sister to marry Shishupal, Krishna's cousin and prince of Chedi, who also was favored by Jarasandh.Rukmini had heard stories of Krishna's divinity from her childhood and she had her heart set on marrying him. When she heard that Rukmi had chosen Shishupal for her, she resolved that she would only marry Krishna or die.She sent for her trusted aid Sunanda, a wise old Brahman. She wrote a note to Krishna telling him that he was the only husband for her and asked if he would come and take her away. She wrote to him, that if he wouldn't have her, she would give up her life. She also begged him that he spare the lives of her family whilst kidnapping her. She wrote that on the day of the wedding, she would go to the temple of the Mata Parvati and if he would, that was the right time to kidnap her. She sent Sunanda with the note to Dwarka, the kingdom of Krishna.Krishna knew of Rukmini's devotion and accepted it graciously. Upon receiving the message from her, he resolved to kidnap her. Now Jarasandh who knew that Krishna might try something like that to humiliate him, filled Vidarbha with people loyal to him.Krishna went to Vidarbha first and Balram followed with the army. On the wedding day, when Rukmini was leaving the temple, she looked in the crowds for Krishna. She did not see him. As she was about to enter her chariot and leave, she felt someone hold her from behind. It was Krishna. He lifted her into the chariot and sped away.Jarasandh was furious. He rallied all his men and ordered them to chase Krishna. Jarasandh's men followed Krishna but were ambushed by Balram and his army on the outskirts of the city. Now Rukmi managed to go through Balram's army and catch up with Krishna and Rukmini. He swore that he would not return to his city without his sister.Rukmi fired an arrow at Krishna, but it did not even make a dent in Krishna's divine armour. Krishna then fired multiple arrows, which first killed Rukmi's horses and then shattered his chariot. Rukmi then picked up his bow again, but before he could fire, Krishna shot another arrow and shattered Rukmi's bow. Rukmi now mad with rage picked up his sword and ran towards Krishna. Krishna fired another arrow and split Rukmi's sword in two. Krishna then picked up his sword and was about to attack Rukmi when Rukmini begged her lord to spare her brother's life. On Rukmini's saying, Krishna spared Rukmi's life but cut half the hair on his head and half the moustache on his face, the worst insult a warrior could face, and then let him go.Krishna returned to Dwarka with Rukmini and made her his bride.The deeper meaning: Shri Krishna and Devi Rukmini were of course Lakshmi-Narayan themselves; their union was meant to be as they have been together since the beginning of time. In incarnation after incarnation, there are obstacles that they must cross in order to unite - whether it was the Shiv Dhanush in Ram avatar or this time around, Rukmi and Jarasandh. But by putting these obstacles in their own path, the divine couple teaches us that true love can overcome anything and sets an example of its strength in each of their earthly incarnationsAnother important element of this leela is Rukmini's sincere devotion; her heartfelt message to Shri Krishna is its own prayer within the Bhagvatam (Rukmini Sandesh), and is the subject of beautiful poetry even today.Here is a translation of the Rukmini Sandesh I mentioned; it's a beautiful Stuti which highlights the complete surrender that characterizes a true prem-rasa intoxicated devotee:O the infallible and the most handsome One! Having heard Your qualities, which enter through the path of ears and absolve away the pains of life, and having heard about Your handsome appearance, which is the only asset of the eyes of living beings with eyes, my heart is accepting You as a consort leaving behind shyness.||1||O Mukunda, the lion (best) among men! Given a chance, which composed girl from a good lineage will not wish for You as a consort; You, Who is the happiness of the minds of people, Who is the happiness of the world, and Who is incomparable from any viewpoint ' be it lineage, nature, beauty, knowledge, energy, wealth, or abode.||2||Therefore, O Lord! I have indeed accepted You as a consort and I have submitted myself to You. O lotus-eyed Krishna! Please arrive here [and accept me]; so that the prince of Cedi (Sisupala) does not takes away the property of brave You ' just like a jackal should not take away the prey of a lion.||3||If I have revered the all pervading Paramatman by social welfares (digging wells), oblations, obeying rules, penance, and serving demi-gods, saints, and preceptor, then O Gadagraja (Krishna)! You accept me after holding my hand ' instead of anyone else like the son of Damaghosa (Sisupala).||4||O Lord, Who is unconquered! Arrive secretly in Vidarbha one day before my marriage. Then after defeating all the army-commanders from the regions of Cedi and Magadha (Sisupala and Jarasandha), marry me with the ways of demons by showing Your valor and conquering power.||5||If You are wondering that how will you conquer me without killing the women and relatives inside my palace, then I am telling You a way out. As per an old tradition, there is a grand fair before the marriage, during which the bride goes out to the temple of Girija for prayers.||6||O lotus-eyed Krishna! If I don't achieve the dust of Your feet, which is sought after by incomparable Ones like Umapati (Siva), then I will destroy my life. If the service of Your feet is not achieved in this life, then I will take hundreds of birth and do penance; I am sure I will achieve Your lotus feet some day.||7||
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