Çré Çayané Ekädaçé Issue no: 238 17th July 2024

Rukmini's Message to Lord Krishna

Rukmini’s Message to Lord Krishna
Srila Sukadeva Gosvami

Eternal Transcendental love

Disciples of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Lord Krishna Kidnaps Rukmini

Srila Jiva Gosvami
 Issue no 238, Page — 2 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä
Balarama and Keshava had burned to death in the
Rukmini’s Message to Lord Krishna fire. Thus he withdrew his vast military force and
Srila Sukadeva Gosvami returned to the Magadha kingdom. As ordered
by Lord Brahma, Raivata, the opulent ruler of
Sukadeva Gosvami said: My dear King, thus Anarta, gave Lord Balarama his daughter Raivati
graced by Lord Krishna, Mucukunda circum- in marriage. This has already been discussed.
ambulated Him and bowed down to Him. Then O hero among the Kurus, the Supreme Lord
Mucukunda, the beloved descendant of Iksvaku, Himself, Govinda, married Bhishmaka’s daugh-
exited through the mouth of the cave. Seeing that ter, Vaidarbhi, who was a direct expansion of the
the size of all the human beings, animals, trees and goddess of fortune. The Lord did this by her de-
plants was severely reduced, and thus realizing sire, and in the process He beat down Shalva and
that the Age of Kali was at hand, Mucukunda left other kings who took Shishupala’s side. Indeed, as
for the north. The sober King, beyond material everyone watched, Sri Krishna took Rukmini just
association and free of doubt, was convinced of as Garuda boldly stole nectar from the demigods.
the value of austerity. Absorbing his mind in Lord King Parikshit said: The Supreme Lord married
Krishna, he came to Gandhamadana Mountain. Rukmini, the beautiful-faced daughter of Bhish-
There he arrived at Badarikashrama, the abode of maka, in the Rakshasa styleor so I have heard.
Lord Nara-Narayana, where, remaining tolerant of My lord, I wish to hear how the immeasurably
all dualities, he peacefully worshiped the Supreme powerful Lord Krishna took away His bride while
Lord Hari by performing severe austerities. defeating such kings as Magadha and Shalva.
The Lord returned to Mathura, which was still What experienced listener, O brähmaëa, could
surrounded by Yavanas. Then He destroyed the ever grow satiated while listening to the pious,
army of barbarians and began taking their valu- charming and ever-fresh topics of Lord Krishna,
ables to Dvaraka. As the wealth was being carried which cleanse away the world’s contamination?
by oxen and men under Lord Krishna’s direction, Sri Badarayani said: There was a king named
Jarasandha appeared at the head of twenty-three Bhishmaka, the powerful ruler of Vidarbha. He
armies. O King, seeing the fierce waves of the en- had five sons and one daughter of lovely coun-
emy’s army, the two Madhavas, imitating human tenance. Rukmi was the firstborn son, followed
behavior, ran swiftly away. Abandoning the abun- by Rukmaratha, Rukmabahu, Rukmakesha and
dant riches, fearless but feigning fear, They went Rukmamali. Their sister was the exalted Rukmini.
many yojanas on Their lotuslike feet. When he Hearing of the beauty, prowess, transcendental
saw Them fleeing, powerful Jarasandha laughed character and opulence of Mukunda from visi-
loudly and then pursued Them with charioteers tors to the palace who sang His praises, Rukmini
and foot soldiers. He could not understand the decided that He would be the perfect husband for
exalted position of the two Lords. Apparently her. Lord Krishna knew that Rukmini possessed
exhausted after fleeing a long distance, the two intelligence, auspicious bodily markings, mag-
Lords climbed a high mountain named Pravar- nanimity, beauty, proper behavior and all other
shana, upon which Lord Indra showers incessant good qualities. Concluding that she would be an
rain. Although he knew They were hiding on ideal wife for Him, He made up His mind to marry
the mountain, Jarasandha could find no trace of her. O King, because Rukmi envied the Lord, he
Them. Therefore, O King, he placed firewood on forbade his family members to give his sister to
all sides and set the mountain ablaze. Krishna, although they wanted to. Instead, Rukmi
The two of Them then suddenly jumped from decided to give Rukmini to Shishupala.
the burning mountain, which was eleven yojanas Dark-eyed Vaidarbhi was aware of this plan, and
high, and fell to the ground. Unseen by Their op- it deeply upset her. Analyzing the situation, she
ponent or his followers, O King, those two most quickly sent a trustworthy brähmaëa to Krish-
exalted Yadus returned to Their city of Dvaraka, na. Upon reaching Dvaraka, the brähmaëa was
which had the ocean as a protective moat. Ja- brought inside by the gatekeepers and saw the pri-
rasandha, moreover, mistakenly thought that meval Personality of Godhead sitting on a golden

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 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä Issue no 238, Page—3
throne. Seeing the brähmaëa, Sri Krishna, Lord of one, and make me Your wife. My dear lotus-eyed
the brahmanas, came down from His throne and Lord, let Shishupala never touch the hero’s portion
seated him. Then the Lord worshiped him just as like a jackal stealing the property of a lion. If I have
He Himself is worshiped by the demigods. After sufficiently worshiped the Supreme Personality of
the brähmaëa had eaten and rested, Sri Krishna, Godhead by pious works, sacrifices, charity, rituals
the goal of saintly devotees, came forward, and and vows, and also by worshiping the demigods,
while massaging the brähmaëa ’s feet with His own brahmanas and gurus, then may Gadagraja come
hands, He patiently questioned him as follows. and take my hand, and not Damaghosha’s son or
[The Supreme Lord said:] O best of exalted anyone else.
brahmanas, are your religious practices, sanc- O unconquerable one, tomorrow when my
tioned by senior authorities, proceeding without marriage ceremony is about to begin, You should
great difficulty? Is your mind always fully satis- arrive unseen in Vidarbha and surround Yourself
fied? When a brähmaëa is satisfied with whatever with the leaders of Your army. Then crush the
comes his way and does not fall away from his forces of Caidya and Magadhendra and marry me
religious duties, those very religious principles in the Rakshasa style, winning me with Your valor.
become his desire cow, fulfilling all his wishes. Since I will be staying within the inner chambers
An unsatisfied brähmaëa wanders restlessly from of the palace, You may wonder, “How can I carry
one planet to another, even if he becomes King of you away without killing some of your relatives?”
heaven. But a satisfied brähmaëa, though he may But I shall tell You a way: On the day before the
possess nothing, rests peacefully, all his limbs free marriage there is a grand procession to honor the
of distress. I repeatedly bow My head in respect to royal family’s deity, and in this procession the new
those brahmanas who are satisfied with their lot. bride goes outside the city to visit Goddess Girija. O
Saintly, prideless and peaceful, they are the best lotus-eyed one, great souls like Lord Shiva hanker
well-wishers of all living beings. O brähmaëa, is to bathe in the dust of Your lotus feet and thereby
your King attending to your welfare? Indeed, that destroy their ignorance. If I cannot obtain Your
king in whose country the citizens are happy and mercy, I shall simply give up my vital force, which
protected is very dear to Me. Whence have you will have become weak from the severe penances
come, crossing the impassable sea, and for what I will perform. Then, after hundreds of lifetimes of
purpose? Explain all this to Us if it is not a secret, endeavor, I may obtain Your mercy.
and tell Us what We may do for you. [The brähmaëa said:] This is the confidential
Thus questioned by the Supreme Personality of message I have brought with me, O Lord of the
Godhead, who incarnates to perform His pastimes, Yadus. Please consider what must be done in these
the brähmaëa told Him everything. circumstances, and do it at once.
Sri Rukmini said [in her letter, as read by the
brähmaëa]: O beauty of the worlds, having heard — Çrémad-Bhägavatam (Bhägavata Puräëa) » Canto 10: The Summum
of Your qualities, which enter the ears of those Bonum » Chapter 51 » Verses 1–44 » Translations by Disciples of His Divine Grace
who hear and remove their bodily distress, and A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
having also heard of Your beauty, which fulfills all
the visual desires of those who see, I have fixed my Eternal Transcendental love
shameless mind upon You, O Krishna. O Mukun- Disciples of His Divine Grace
da, You are equal only to Yourself in lineage, char- A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
acter, beauty, knowledge, youthfulness, wealth
and influence. O lion among men, You delight bhagavän api govinda
the minds of all mankind. What aristocratic, so- upayeme kurüdvaha
berminded and marriageable girl of a good family vaidarbhéà Bhishmaka-sutäà
would not choose You as her husband when the çriyo mäträà svayaà-vare
proper time has come? Therefore, my dear Lord, I
have chosen You as my husband, and I surrender pramathya tarasä räjïaù
myself to You. Please come swiftly, O almighty çälvädéàç caidya-pakña-gän

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 Issue no 238, Page — 4 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä
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paçyatäà sarva-lokänäà Thinking in their hearts, the people of Vraja
tärkñya-putraù sudhäm iva compared Lord Balarama and the residents of
the Yadava city of Dvaraka in the following way:
Srila Jiva Gosvami gives the following profound “Love that is present because of one’s birth is
comments on these two verses: The words love that is limitless and unconditional. Love
çriyo mäträm indicate that beautiful Rukmini that comes later, like a guest, is both limited and
is a direct expansion of the eternal goddess of conditional. How can that love be equal to the
fortune. Therefore she is worthy to be the bride great limitless and unconditional love?”
of the Personality of Godhead. As stated in the Vraja’s King Nanda said: “Then? Then?” The
Brahma-saàhitä (5.56), çriyaù käntä käntaù two messengers said: When Krishna became em-
parama-puruñaù: "In the spiritual world, all the barrassed by His elder brother Balarama’s arrival,
female lovers are goddesses of fortune and the Balarama became red with anger, red like a rising
male lover is the Supreme Personality." Thus, Srila reddish moon. Balarama did not say anything to
Jiva Gosvami explains, Srimati Rukmini-devi is a Krishna, Krishna who was then thinking how
plenary portion of Srimati Radharani. The Kärtti- to kidnap Rukmini. Having His soldiers form a
ka-mähätmya section of the Padma Puräëa states, circle around Them, Lord Balarama stood before
kaiçore gopa-kanyäs tä yauvane räja-kanyakäù: Lord Krishna.
"Those who were cowherds' daughters in their ad- Vraja’s King Nanda joyfully said: “Where did
olescence became kings' daughters in their young the brähmaëa go? What was the condition of
womanhood." Similarly, in the Skanda Puräëa Rukmini's heart, Rukmini whose heart was
we find this statement: rukmiëé dväravatyäà tu touched by the fear that her religious principles
rädhä våndävane vane. "Rukmini in Dvaraka is were in danger of their imminent destruction?”
also Radha in Vrindavan forest." The two messengers said: Thinking, “Nothing
The term svayaà-vare here means "by one's will happen on this gentle night,” and conjectur-
own choice." Although the word often refers to ing how in the near future he would attain great
good fortune, the brahmanastayed awake the
a formal Vedic ceremony in which an aristocratic whole night. That evening Rukmini waited for
girl may select her own husband, here it indicates the brähmaëa’s return. Her heart was restless. She
the informal and indeed unprecedented events worried that her plan might somehow be thwart-
surrounding Krishna's marriage to Rukmini. In ed. She remembered how in the letter she had
fact, Sri Krishna and Srimati Rukmini chose each written: “O invincible Krishna, carefully hidden,
other because of their eternal, transcendental love. and surrounded by Your generals, please come
to Vidarbha tomorrow. As I exit Goddess Durga's
— Çrémad-Bhägavatam (Bhägavata Puräëa) » Canto 10: The Summum temple, please crush Shishupala and his allies,
Bonum » Chapter 52 » Verse 18 » Purport by Disciples of His Divine Grace A.
and then kidnap me.” She thought: “The time
C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
of my wedding is imminent, but the brähmaëa
has not yet returned. It is so difficult to pass the
Lord Krishna Kidnaps Rukmini time as I wait!” Carefully watching the pathways,
Srila Jiva Gosvami struggling to control her heart, lowering her head,
gnashing her teeth, struggling to remain calm,
Hearing that His brother Krishna had, to kidnap and closing her flooded-with-tears eyes, Rukmini
Rukmini, gone alone to Kundina City, and also passed some moments.
hearing that Krishna was surrounded by a host At the moment when she could not longer
of enemies, Sri Balarama, who was born from an bear waiting for the brähmaëa’s return, destiny,
ocean of love for Krishna, and who was anointed which had now become Rukmini's friend, and
with the fragrant oil of love for Krishna, and who which had now become the root from which the
was overcome with fear for His brother’s safety, tree of Rukmini's happinesses would soon grow,
went, accompanied by a great host of armies, to created a sudden trembling in Rukmini's left eye,
Kundina City.

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 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä Issue no 238, Page—5
arm, thigh, and foot. When she opened her eyes, should become Krishna’s wife. Krishna should
Rukmini saw the brahmanastanding before her. become Rukmini's husband.” At every step the
Seeing the brähmaëa’s glistening-with-happinesses people spoke words like these. The people said:
face, heart-anointed-with-doubt Rukmini felt her “We do not wish that the results of our pious deeds
lotus eyes and lotus heart were now splashed by performed in the past, present, and future will be
cooling bliss. used to further our own happiness. Indeed, we
The fragrance of Sri Krishna’s body now scented now speak this prayer: O destiny, who give to all
the brähmaëa messenger’s body. Smelling that living entities the results of their various deeds,
fragrance, Sri Rukmini became fragrant with sweet please take the results of all our pious deeds and
bliss. Pushed by intense bliss, the hairs of Rukmini's use them so that powerful lotus-eyed Sri Krishna
body now stood erect. In that secret place Rukmini may, either according to the rules of ordinary
asked questions of the brähmaëa. Asked, the bräh- righteousness, or in flagrant defiance of those rules,
maëa clearly replied that Sri Krishna had accepted may accept the hand of Sri Rukmini in marriage.”
her proposal and He would personally travel here Vraja’s King Nanda and the people of Vraja then
by chariot. When she heard this news, Rukmini joyfully said in unison: “Then? Then?” The two
thought: “Of all the valuable treasures I possess, messengers said: “After performing her morning
nothing is valuable enough to be a worthy gift to duties, her heart filled with joy, and after bowing
give to this brähmaëa.” Accepting the brähmaëa as down before her elders and superiors as if asking
her spiritual master, Rukmini bowed down before their permission for her departure for Dvaraka,
him, bowed as if she were offering her own head and after hearing their words of instruction, and
as her gift to him. As the moon becomes free from intent on worshiping Goddess Durga, and deco-
Rahu’s grip on the seventh räçi, so Rukmini, her rated with glorious garments, and accompanied
form glorious like the moon, became free of the by her girlfriends, her sisters-in-law, her father’s
grip of Shishupala. wives, the wives of her family priests, her multi-
Vraja’s King Nanda said: “With what clever ex- tudes of maidservants, multitudes of elderly male
cuse did Krishna and Balarama explain Their sud- attendants, multitudes of guards bearings swords
den arrival there? How did King Bhishmaka receive and garbed in armor, cavalry bearing a host of
Krishna and Balarama?” The two messengers said: formidable weapons, warriors riding on glorious
The excuse They gave was that They had come to elephants and seeming to present everywhere
see the wedding festival. Hearing this from Krishna and before every eye, warriors riding in chariots,
and Balarama, and assuming that They therefore musicians playing wonderful and colorful mel-
approved of the marriage arrangements, King odies on a host of musical instruments, dancers
Bhishmaka worshiped Them like two honored gracefully dancing, suta, magadha, and vandi
guests. Vraja’s King Nanda said: “If he considered poets speaking pure and graceful words, poets
Them merely two ordinary guests, then King
Bhishmaka must have been neutral to Krishna and !! Sri Sri Nitai Gaurchandra Jayati !!
Balarama. Therefore I think the people of Kundina ISKCON
City must also have been neutral and aloof in their Bhägavata Mahävidyalaya
relationship with Krishna and Balarama. is a branch of
The two messengers said: No. No. Only because International Society for Krishna Consciousness
Founder-Acarya: His Divine Grace
of the bad counsel of his son Rukmi was King A.C. BhaktiVedanta Swami Prabhupada
Bhishmaka not openly affectionate to Sri Krishna.
The people in general openly lamented the situ- Quotations from the books, letters, and lectures of
His Divine Grace
ation. Gathering together, and with the cupped A.C. Bhakti Vedanta Swami Prabhupada
palms of their eyes sipping the flood of sweet nectar
flowing from the blue lotus-flower of Sri Krishna’s ©Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.
face, a lotus flower blissfully blooming in the eve-
©All the paintings are copyrights of their respective
ning, the people of Kundina City said: “Rukmini artists.

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 Issue no 238, Page — 6 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä
again and again speaking wonderful and blissful na’s formidable weapons any more than there is
utprekñä metaphors, Sri Rukmini, her heart rapt need to describe the outcome of a pack of jackals’
in thinking of her beloved Sri Krishna, departed foolish attack on a lion.
from the women’s quarters of the palace, and, Meeting Krishna for the first time, born-in-a-glo-
accompanied by her entourage, proceeded on rious-family, shy-at-heart, and afraid-of-the-en-
the pathway, and then finally entered the temple emy-army Princess Rukmini, embraced, with a
of Goddess Durga. meaning-filled glance, her beloved Sri Krishna’s
After appropriately worshiping the Deity of face. Thinking, “Even though she well knows
Goddess Durga, and after receiving Goddess My mighty powers, because she is a woman Ruk-
Durgas mercy in her heart and on her body, Sri mini is now afraid,” compassionate Sri Krishna
Rukmini, grasping in her graceful jewel-ring- consoled His beloved Rukmini with many sweet
adorned hand the hand of a girlfriend, departed words. The enemy soldiers unleashed a host of
from the temple. As Rukmini, her teeth graceful arrows upon the soldiers of the Vrishni dynasty.
like jasmine-buds, was departing, Sri Krishna’s That is a fact. Still, those arrows were all blown
mäyä potency gave to her two different forms. To away from their targets. They were like hosts of
persons who had turned their faces away from clouds deflected by a powerful wind.
Krishna, Rukmini appeared like an ordinary girl The Yadava soldiers saw the hosts of arrows
in the grip of the material energy. To persons who flying towards them from all sides. Still, and this
had turned their faces towards Krishna, Rukmini is indeed a great wonder, not a single Yadava
appeared like Lord Krishna’s wife. The former soldier experienced upon the limbs of his body
were bewildered by Lord Krishna’s external the touch of even a single arrow. In the enemy
energy. The latter were filled with devotion to soldiers’ scabbards rested a great host of swords,
Lord Krishna. While Sri Krishna stood on His each sword equal to a parärdha of other swords.
taller-than-all-others chariot, He and Rukmini Still, as a miser never draws his money from its
exchanged a wonderful glance, a glance not no- vault, so the enemy soldiers had no power to draw
ticed by anyone else there. their swords from the scabbards. Although many
Rushing in on His swiftly-moving chariot, Sri soldiers fell in that battle, the survivors of that four-
Krishna suddenly kidnapped Princess Rukmini fold army did not lament. Thinking, “My body is
as, on some pretext hesitating to mount her still alive!”, the surviving soldiers felt happiness
own chariot, she cast a glance on Him from the that had no peer. The bodies of the frightened
corners of her eyes. People far away saw only the enemies frantically fleeing from the Yadava- king
figure of Garuda emblazoned on Sri Krishna’s Sri Krishna were like a great host of corpses at a
flag. They thought Garuda himself had grasped crematorium-ghata, a crematorium-ghata meant
Rukmini and was now swiftly fleeing with her. to send the souls that formerly resided in those
As Krishna approached to kidnap Rukmini, kid- bodies to Devaloka.
napped her, and then fled, King Jarasandha and Some bewildered decapitated warriors were
the other kings and their limitless armies were at seen running here and there. Thinking, “Was my
first bewildered when they heard the rumbling head severed?”, they placed their hands on the
sounds of Sri Krishna’s fleeing chariot. They had place where their heads once were. Throwing far
no power to understand what had just happened. away any enthusiasm for battle, and with words
“From where had He come? Where did He go?”, affirming that past karma is the cause of all pres-
they asked. ent joys and troubles consoling Shishupala, who
Its dundubhi drums harshly proclaiming, was of the opinion that his bride had just been
“Dum! Dum! Dum!”, the horses drawing its ten kidnapped, the enemy warriors all departed from
million chariots ferociously neighing, and its the battlefield.
chariots now in hot pursuit of Princess Rukmini's “Seventeen times Krishna defeated me. I could
kidnapper, they great army of the kings seemed defeat Him only once. Look. Your condition is the
to writhe in pain. There is no need to describe same as mine.” Who would not laugh on hearing
the outcome of that army’s attack on Sri Krish- these words Jarasandha spoke to Shishupala?

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 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä Issue no 238, Page—7
“Seventeen times Krishna defeated me in With His smile Krishna pushed away Rukmi's
battle, but this time, the eighteenth time, I insults and with His skin, now become, by Yo-
have defeated Him!” As he spoke these words gamaya's influence, like armor, Krishna pushed
Jarasandha was indeed bewildered, for this away Rukmi's arrows. Krishna’s arrows then flew
eighteenth time was again defeated by Krishna. at Rukmi. In a single moment they severed Rukmi's
Standing before the defeated warriors, who bow and the flag-post on Rukmi's chariot. In anoth-
were like palm trees that had burst into flames er moment Krishna’s arrows sharply hit Rukmi's
because many powerful thunderbolts had fall- body and Rukmi's chariot-driver and four horses.
en upon them, miserable and defeated Rukmi Rukmi watched as all this happened. With great
vowed, “Because I could not defeat Rukmini's difficulty Rukmi drew another bow. The arrows
kidnapper and rescue Rukmini, I will not re- that flew from it met the same fate as Rukmi's other
turn to my home.” arrows. Feeling frustrated at heart, Rukmi hurled at
These words spoken by Rukmi caused great Krishna a host of iron clubs, lances, spears, pieces
unhappiness to take its birth within us. Even of armor, shields, swords and maces. All these
though it was well known that Sri Krishna was weapons met a terrible fate. They were all useless.
in truth the son of King Vasudeva, the enemy From his chariot, which was now broken into a
kings, disregarding this truth, mocked Krishna hundred pieces, Rukmi now descended.
by calling Him a cowherd man. Because He did After thus depriving Rukmi of his chariot, Sri
nothing to retaliate these insults, it is clearly Krishna stepped down from His own chariot and,
seen that Sri Krishna is supremely peaceful ferocious like Lord Shiva himself, rushed towards
and satisfied at heart. Vraja’s King Nanda said: Rukmi. Then Rukmi picked up a wonderfully
“Then? Then?” The two messengers said: ornamented golden sword and shield. Sri Krish-
“Rukmi may have been rash and foolish, but na did not then break that sword and shield into
his allies were all weaklings and cowards. pieces the size of sesame seeds. He broke them
That everyone could see. Even though they only to a certain extent, not completely. Wishing
surrounded Krishna in the battle, they ended that unhappy Rukmi would himself discard his
by fleeing from Him. Their hearts were like the partly-broken weapons, Sri Krishna did not break
hearts of deer. They did not have hearts like the them completely.”
hearts of lions.” Vraja’s King Nanda said: “Then? Then?” The
Vraja’s King Nanda said: “Then? Then?” two messengers said: “Then, acting according to
The two messengers said: “Displeased with her nature as a woman, Rukmini, abandoning all
his unworthy allies, abandoning their compa- shyness, and taking help of many sorrow-filled
ny, taking with him an akñauhiëé division of lamentations, acted to protect her brother. Then
soldiers, seeing the warriors in the akñauhiëé Sri Krishna ferociously imposed upon Rukmi a
division flee from the battlefield, now having strange and terrible punishment, a punishment
only his own body to aid him in his struggle, worse than death.” Everyone said: “What was it?
seeing that he himself did not have the power Tell us!” The two messengers said: “To punish
to catch up with Krishna, and hoping that at crooked Rukmi with a fate like death itself, Ruk-
least his words would catch up with Krishna, mi who was now like a snake shorn of its pride, a
Rukmi, pushed by his own nature as a cruel snake unable to escape, Sri Krishna tightly bound
blasphemer, a person who bites people in the Rukmi in ripped-up pieces of his own clothing.
back, from far away called out to Krishna, ‘Wait! Powerful Rukmi had no power to unloose his
Wait!’ Not hearing the rumbling sounds of bonds.
Rukmi's chariot, sounds devoured by the loud “The faint reflection of mercy now, because
rumbling sounds of His own chariot, Krishna of Rukmini's appeals, glistening within Him, Sri
continued to travel ahead. When, hearing Krishna, whose smile defeats even the moon,
Rukmi's calls, virtuous Sri Krishna stopped with His glittering curved sword, itself like a smil-
His chariot, Rukmi angrily fired insults from ing crescent moon, cut here and there the hair
his mouth and arrows from his bow. on Rukmi's head. In the dense forest of hairs on

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 Issue no 238, Page — 8 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä
Rukmi's head, He created many roads going from “Rukmi was wickedness personified. How did
left to right.” he, his appearance now so odd, return to his
Hearing these descriptions, the people of Vraja home?” The two messengers said: “Even though
all laughed. Then the two messengers again said: He had ordained for him a double punishment,
“Please listen. As a person may bandage a cut Sri Balarama, as if to protect Rukmini's honor,
nose with a silken bandage, so Sri Balarama gave had a barber completely shave Rukmi's head,
friendly help to Rukmi. While Rukmi was fight- had him decorated with glorious garments and
ing with Rukmini's kidnapper, Sri Krishna, then ornaments, and sent Rukmi back home, riding
Sri Balarama, with the assistance of Sri Krishna’s on a chariot as if he had just returned from a pil-
armies, made Rukmi's armies, armies for which grimage. In this way Rukmi, who was filled with
everything had suddenly become inauspicious, wicked desires, and who was by nature always
flee in battle. As Rukmi was tied up Sri Balarama a ferocious enemy of Lord Krishna, returned to
arrived there. Seeing Rukmi tied up like a captive his home. It is said: ‘Too much talk of sins leads
about to be killed, Sri Balarama felt compassion to inauspiciousness.” Therefore we will not say
for him, untied him, and again and again rebuked anything more about Rukmi.
Sri Krishna. Vraja’s King Nanda asked: “Did Krishna then
Then, to pacify agitated Rukmini, Sri Balarama happily return to His home?” The two messen-
spoke to her the following instruction: “‘Krishna, gers said: “Sri Krishna returned to His home,
Your action is not at all satisfactory. This is an placed in His ears Uddhava’s narration of the
abomination very much contrary to Our family news of Vraja, and, with Uddhava’s consent,
tradition. To cut someone’s hair and shave his sent us back here at once with all this news.”
mustache and beard is almost comparable to kill- Vraja’s King Nanda asked: “Has the marriage
ing him.’ After this, in order to pacify her, Lord ritual been performed yet?” The two messengers
Balarama said to Rukmini: ‘You should not be said: “No. No. There is some delay. From the
sorry because your brother has been made very very beginning it was decided there should be
odd-looking. Everyone suffers or enjoys the results a delay. “Having heard from Uddhava’s blissful
of his own actions.’ Lord Balarama again turned mouth that He should do this first, how could Sri
toward Krishna and said: ‘My dear Krishna, a rel- Krishna marry without first receiving permission
ative, even though he commits such a blunder and from you?” As the people in the assembly of Vra-
deserves to be killed, should be excused, for when ja were considering these points, two servants of
such a relative is conscious of his own fault, that King Vasudeva, servants bearing a letter, arrived
consciousness itself is like death. Therefore there from the land of Dvaraka, approached the lotus
is no need in killing him.’ He again turned toward flower that was Vraja’s King Nanda’s feet, offered
Rukmini and informed her that the current duty obeisances to that lotus flower, asked about King
of the ksatriyas in human society is so fixed that, Nanda’s welfare, and then spoke the following
according to the principles of fighting, one’s own words: “O lord, please accept this letter written
brother may become an enemy on the opposite by our master.” Vraja’s King Nanda respectfully
side. A kñatriya does not hesitate to kill his own accepted the letter and had someone read it
brother.’ ” aloud.
Vraja’s King Nanda said: “Then? Then?” The two The letter said: “Salutations. Tightly hugging
messengers said: “Sincere Rukmini abided by Lord the glorious person that bears the name Nanda,
Balarama’s instructions. Still, those instructions a person who is the root of great bliss, a person
made her very unhappy at heart. They brought her who is a dear friend, a person who is a great fire
more suffering than did the binding of her broth- of wild ecstasies, I, Anakadundubhi, bow down
er. Vraja’s King Nanda said: Where did Rukmi go to offer my respectful obeisances. I speak the
after that?” The two messengers said: “Released following message: “I think of Krishna as my
by Balarama, and his eyes now filled with tears, son and you think of Him as your son. We do
Rukmi returned to the surviving warriors of his not think of Him in different ways. This truth
army.” Everyone in the assembly of Vraja said:

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 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä Issue no 238, Page—9
you know, and I know it also. Others may able for so long to tolerate the great poverty of not
think of Him in a different way. I now request being able to see the splendor of the lotus flower
that you give your permission for Krishna to that is Your face? I would never, never have been
marry. Please write out that permission in your able to tolerate that poverty.”
own hand and send it to me at once.” After thus Taking this letter with them, the two messen-
causing the letter to be read, Vraja’s King Nanda gers departed. After some days they returned
said: “Good. Please arrange a nice meal for the again to Vraja, asked about the welfare of the
two messengers. Later I will write an appropriate people of Vraja, and then recounted the news of
letter in reply.” Dvaraka. Vraja’s King Nanda asked: “What has
All the people of Vraja assembled and reasoned happened in Dvaraka? Please tell the news.” The
in the following way: “Although Krishna desires two messengers said: “O King Nanda, O king
to return to Vraja, and although His desires are of the gopas, when He read it, your son washed
always fulfilled, and although therefore He will away with His tears the ink-written characters
not be turned away from returning to Vraja, still, of the letter you wrote. The glorious message of
He may be delayed, for He has many enemies that letter now stays only in his heart.” Tears in
to slay. For the present He has not returned. his eyes, Vraja’s King Nanda said: “Then? Then?”
When will He return? Balarama is now happy The two messengers said: “When He received
in household life. His younger brother Krishna your letter of consent, Sri Krishna formally ac-
is now longer a delicate boy. He would also like cepted the hand of Rukmini in marriage. Musical
to marry. This He personally told to me.” instruments were sounded in home after home
Sri Krishna had long ago said to Nanda and in Sri Krishna’s realm of Dvaraka. The demi-
Yashoda: “My dear father and mother, I know gods in Devaloka also played on many musical
you will be feeling separation by returning to instruments. The ocean around Dvaraka also
Vrindavan and leaving Us here, but please rest celebrated with a great festival of crashing waves,
assured that I shall be coming back to Vrinda- each wave trying to outdo the others. Then, in the
van just after giving some satisfaction to My presence of the Yadu, Kunti, Kekaya, and Kuru
real father and mother, Vasudeva and Devaki, dynasties, and also in the presence of Bhishmaka,
My grandfather, and other relatives and family the king of Vidarbha, Sri Krishna joyfully accept-
members.” ed the hand of Princess Rukmini in marriage.
With these words Sri Krishna informs us: “I Vraja’s King Nanda asked: “Were the people of
act to give pleasure to My dear friends. That is Vidarbha also present at that ceremony?”
why I accept one and then another status, such The two messengers said: “They all came. Only
as accepting the status of a kñatriya in the Yadava King Bhishmaka’s sons did not come.” Vraja’s
dynasty. If I do not accept that I am one of the King Nanda said: “Did not King Bhishmaka feel
members of the Yadava dynasty, then many shy to attend?” The two messengers said: “He
goals of Mine will remain unfulfilled. For that was shy. He feared that King Vasudeva and his
reason I declare that I an just like Vasudeva and associates would be hostile to him. He also feared
the other ksatriyas in the Yadava dynasty. Vraja’s that his own jewellike daughter Rukmini would
King Nanda then wrote the following letter: “Sal- also be hostile to him.” Vraja’s King Nanda said:
utations. Hugging my son playful like a little calf, “Did the relatives of the bride meet with the rel-
my son whose graceful and handsome face all atives of the groom?” The two messengers said:
happinesses worship by performing äraté, I place “Yes. Yes. They met. Still, because you were not
the following request before my son. O my son there no one could feel peaceful at heart. What
playful like a little calf, You know what is in my is the need of describing all this in detail?”
heart. I do not think Myself different from King Then, hearing these descriptions in the assem-
Vasudeva. Please know that if you act according bly, King Nanda suddenly turned pale, Snig-
to his desire, then you will be acting according to dhakantha abruptly concluded his narration by
My desire also. If I were not non-different from saying: Even in the presence of the great lotus
King Vasudeva, then how would I have been flower that was His father Vasudeva, His mother,

www.ibmedu.org Bhāgavata Mahāvidyālaya

 Issue no 238, Page — 10 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä
Devaki, and all His kinsmen in the Yadu dynas-
ty, and even in the midst of His many millions saratha-hariëähåtärucad amala-rociñä
of gloriously opulent palaces, handsome-faced ripu-nicayam äcinon malina-mukha-çociñä
Sri Krishna did not feel any happiness like the magadha-mukha-çätrave
happiness He felt when with His eyes He sipped raëa-vimukha-bhävake
the nectar of gazing at you, O King Nanda. yudham adhéta rukmavän asura-paribhävake
After hearing these words, and after gazing
at the glorious splendor of Sri Krishna’s grace- Riding on a chariot, Lord Krishna gloriously
ful eyes, King Nanda was no longer pale. He kidnapped Rukmini as His enemies complained
hugged his son. The hairs of his body stood with unhappy faces. Lord Krishna made Jarasand-
erect with bliss. Filled with bliss by gazing at ha and His other enemies turn from battle, and
Sri Krishna, the poets of Vraja sang the follow- only Rukmi was willing to fight with Krishna, the
ing song: crusher of the demons.

vraja-madhura-mäd vyadhéta khalu rukmiëaà kåta-väpana-muëòa-

huré-hrasita-para-kämanam nam
manasi nåpa-vaibha na param ajitas tathäkåta-vikåta-tuëòakam
vaà dadhatam ati-vämanam murajid atha nirjayan sa-nåpa-caya-bhéñmajam
pariänayana-väïchatä-rahita-manasäcitam agamad atha tan nijam nagaram ita-bhéñmajam
agamad atha kaçcana dvijanir asurähitam
Lord Krishna defeated Rukmi, shaved his
One day a brähmaëa approached Lord Krishna, head, and made him very odd-looking. Defeated
whose sweet pastimes in Vraja had ended, who by Krishna, Rukmi and the kings returned to
was the demons’ enemy, and who, in His heart their own cities. In this way was concluded the
thinking of Himself as a king, had no desire for nightttime narration of pastimes, a narration that
marriage. brought bliss to Sri Radha and the other people
of Vraja.
nija-nåpati-dehajä-vacanam upasandiçan —Sri Gopäla-Campü of Srila Jiva Gosvami » Translation by Kushakratha Das
sa tad-ucita-caturém amåtam iva nirviçan
tam anu nijam äyayau nagaram ita-sammadaù
avadad api taà harer abhigamana-sampadaù
The brähmaëa recited a message from Prin-
cess Rukmini, and Lord Krishna replied with
eloquent words sweet like nectar. The happy
brähmaëa returned to his own city and spoke !! Sri Sri Nitai Gaurchandra Jayati !!
to Rukmini the good news of Krishna’s arrival ISKCON
there. Bhägavata Mahävidyalaya
is a branch of
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
atha sa-sukha-bhéñmajä muhur anamad atra-sä Founder-Acarya: His Divine Grace
dvijam amukam icchati nija-bhäviokam atra sä A.C. BhaktiVedanta Swami Prabhupada
iha mahasi çailajä-paricaraëa-dambhikä
Quotations from the books, letters, and lectures of
bhavitum atha bhiñmajä hari-caraëa-lambhikä His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhakti Vedanta Swami Prabhupada
Bowing again and again before the brähmaëa,
joyful Rukmini desired that he become happy ©Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.
and prosperous. Yearning to attain Lord Krish- ©All the paintings are copyrights of their respective
na’s feet, Rukmini worshiped Goddess Parvati. artists.

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