SRI KRISHNA LEELAMRUTHAM (THE NECTARINE STORIES OF THE DEEDS OF LORD KRISHNA)

 52. RUKMINI'S LOVE LETTER TO LORD KRISHNA

King Muchukunda offered His respects unto the lotus feet of the Lord and came of the caves of hill. He then decided to move Gandhamaadana mountains which is known as Badrikaashrama. Badrikaashrama is an auspicious place located in Northern part of the Himalayas. So King Muchudunda without procrastination continued His austerity and penance to devote the Lord. Lord Shri Krishna returned to Mathura city and killed all military phalanxes of demon Kaalayavana. In the mean time, Jarasandha began to kill and to attack Mathura city for the eighteenth time. This time He came up with the largest sena of twenty three akshauhinis. One Akshaouhini is equivalent to 21,870 chariots,  21,870 elephants, 65,610 horses and 109,350 infantry. Jarasandha had 23 Akshauhinis which is far greater than one akshauhini. Lord Krishna taught to save His devotees from the evil attack of Jarasandha. Lord Krishna, the omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent planned wisely and left the battlefield holding no weapons. As Lord is the knower of all happenings, there might have some reason for the Lord to leave the battlefield. When Jarasandha saw them leaving from the battlefield holding no weapons, he thought that they are the cowardice humans. Actually Lord Krishna is equivalent to fight against the whole 23 Akshauhinis. Lord Krishna and Lord Balaram became weary as they travelled a very long distance. They climbed up a high mountain called Parvarshana where in constant rain occurs. The top of the mountain touches high up to sky. Jarasandha chased the Supreme Lords and decided to set fire the whole mountain to kill Them. As the flames were widespread, Lord Krishna and Lord Balaram jumped from the high mountain approximately eighty eight miles! Jarasandha thought that They died and returned to His kingdom of Magadha.

 Lord Krishna and Lord Balaram reached Dwaraka city. There was a king named Kadukmi, the ruler of Kushasthali who had only one daughter named Revati. Her father Kadukmi went to Brahmaloka and offered his respects to Lord Brahma. He seeks advice from Lord Brahma a perfect Husband for his daughter Revati. Lord Brahma told that Lord Balaram, the mightiest would be the suitable consort for Revati. So, as per the advice of Lord Brahma, King Kadukmi approached Lord Balaram without any delay and handed over his daughter to Him. Lord Balaram gladly accepted Revati and accepted to marry Her. The marraige of Lord Balaram and Revati had a great pomp and celebration was held in wonderful manner. The story of Lord Krishna and Rukmini, the Goddess of fortune starts here. Rukmini was the daughter of King Bhismaka who ruled Vidarbha city. King Bhishmaka had five sons and one daughter. The five sons were Rukmi, Rukmaaratha, Rukmabahu, Rukmakesha and Rukmamaali. Of these, Rukmi is the eldest brother. Rukmini was a magnificent princess who have already knew Lord Krishna's beautiful qualities. She always thinks of the Lord. Lord Krishna also knew the glorious qualities of Rukmini and both of the families accepted for marraige of Rukmini and Lord Krishna. But the elder brother Rukmi was so envious of the Lord. So he doesn't wanted Krishna to be Rukmini's husband. Rather he decided Shishupala to be Rukmini's husband. When Rukmini came to know about the information, She was very sullen. Even Her father, Bhishmaka doesn't wanted Shishupala to marry Rukmini, but he had to be agreed to the desire of Rukmi. She had less time to take any step. Mean while the necessary arrangements for the wedding of Shishupala and Rukmini were being made. Rukmini became so anxious because, She had heard the beautiful deeds of Lord Krishna through hearing and She heartily accepted the Supreme Lord, Krishna as Her Husband. So Rukmini without any delay wrote a letter to Lord Krishna and called a Brahmin to hand over it to the Lord. She said, "My dear Brahmana, I offer My respectful honour to You! I seek Your help now. Please give this letter to Lord Shri Krishna in Dwaraka city". So the Brahmin went all the way from Vidarbha to Dwaraka kingdom. On reaching Dwaraka kingdom, the Brahmin informed the security of His arrival. And the security passed the information to the Supreme Personality of Godhead who seated on a majestic golden throne. When the Brahmin arrived the place where Lord Krishna was present, Lord Krishna immediately stood up, offered His respectful honour and made the Brahmin to sit comfortably on the golden throne. The Brahmin was received with wonderful reception of the Lord and was given delicious food. Later, Lord Krishna took the legs of the Brahmin and massaged His legs. Lord Krishna uttered, "O My dear Brahmana! I hope everything is fine there. I understand that You have come up with a confidential message. So, I'm letting permission to say Your confidential message". The brahmin offered His respects unto the Supreme Lord and opened the letter given by princess Rukmini. Lord Krishna asked the Brahmin to read the whole letter. This was a sweet and heartiest love letter written by Rukmini to Lord Krishna! Rukmini's message to Lord Krishna are as follows:

 Rukmini said,

                     "Shruthva Gunaan Bhuvana Sundara Shrunvataamte

                       Nirvishya Karna Vivavair Haratoonga taapam

                       Roopam Drusham Drushimatam Akhilaarta Laabham

                       Tvaiy Achuta Avishati Chittam Apathrapam me" 

                                                                                                  (Srimad Bhagavatam canto-10; Verses-52)

"O most beautiful of the entire Universe! I have heard about Your magnificent qualities. When Your nectarine and beautiful pastimes enter into My ear holes, the bodily distresses are completely vanquished! By seeing the beautiful form of You, one attains everything that is attainable! They will all good fortunes, all benefits and all auspiciousness! O Krishna! My shameless and restless mind is concentrated on Your divine lotus feet! I care not what others think of Me. My ridiculous mind is fixed fixed upon You, O Krishna!'. She continued further more, "O Mukunda, one who gives liberation, You are prodigious and unparalleled in lineage, character, magnificence, education, age, wealth and influence! Nobody is equivalent to these beautiful qualities. Only You deserve the perfect and wonderful qualities! You acts as a lion among all men! O lotus eyed one! I have chosen You as My beloved Husband. I have totally given Myself to You, O Krishna! Please accept Me as Your wife. The demoniac Shishupala is eagerly awaiting like jackal which tries to steal the majestic lion's property. If You doesn't come, He will touch Me. I don't know that due to My severe penances to the Heavenly Gods, I'm pleasing You! So, please kidnap Me and catch hold of My hands! I will be waiting for You!". 

                                 

To be continued..