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

 53. LORD KRISHNA ABDUCTS RUKMINI

After reading Rukmini's love letter, Lord Krishna was much pleased with her sweet love and He said to the Brahmana, "O My dear Brahmana! I understand that Rukmini loves Me and so she wanted Me as her husband. I'm so elate to hold her hands and I very well knew her anxiousness to marry Me. I also used to think about her all the day since she was totally absorbed in My thoughts. I'm aware of Rukmi's plan to hand over his sister, Rukmini to demoniac prince Shishupala. So, I just want to teach the demoniac princes a good lesson. I will bring Rukmini and save her from the demoniac princes' hold". Lord Krishna decided to depart from Dwaraka. With the help His driver Daruka, Lord Krishna soon started His journey to Vidarbha city. The chariot was driven by four special horses namely Shaivya, Sugreeva, Meghapushpa and Balaahaka. While chariot was about to ready, Lord Krishna gave a seat to the Brahmana. He started the journey from Dwaraka kingdom to Vidarbha city. Lord Krishna swiftly drove the chariot and within one night They reached Vidarbha city which is in the northern part of India. On the other hand, King Bhishmaka was not so cheerful because he wanted to give his daughter Lord Krishna instead of Shishupala. Due to blindly affection towards his elder son Rukmi, he agreed for the marriage too. The necessary arrangement for the marriage ceremony was going on. The city was well decorated with flowers, flags and festoons. They sprinkled water everywhere. The inhabitants of Vidarbha city beautified themselves with ornaments, necklaces, flower garlands and applied Tilak on their forehead. There were incenses burning hither and thither. It was a wonderful atmosphere. King Bhishmaka gave away cows, calves, grains, gold and silver in charity to the Veda-knowing brahmins and priests. They chanted Vedic hymns soothing to the ears. Princess Rukmini was so exquisite and was wearing long silky material. She put on many kinds of jewelry in Her neck. Her teeth was clean and resembled stars. Damaghosha, the father of Shishupala performed all ritualistic ceremony. When he thought that Krishna would come and interrupt the marriage ceremony, he called upon the military divisions and reached Kundinapur. Damaghosha and Shishupala when arrived Kundinapur, they were warmly welcomed by the inhabitants of King Bhishmaka. Damaghosha arrived with an enumerable military powers and demoniac kings namely, Jarasandha, Dantavakra, Viduratha and Paundraka were also present. Everybody was whispering that Rukmini had sent a messenger in order to convey Her message to Krishna. So, the soldiers were alert and prepared to fight with Krishna despite they are fearless. When Lord Balaram came to know that Lord Krishna went Kundinapur without any military forces, He gathered military forces and prepared to reach Kundinapur as He heard that Shishupala arrived there with a large number of military forces. 

At the mean time, Rukmini was very anxious and awaited for Krishna's arrival. She was speaking to Herself, "There is no time for Me! I have only one night left for the marriage! But still neither the Brahmana I sent nor Bhuvanasundara has came? I cannot imagine the reason behind it! Probably Shyamasundara have rejected My proposal. Due to that disappointment, the Brahmana didn't come". Each and every second She was thinking about Krishna and thought various reasons for the delay. Rukmini went to the extend that other Gods, Goddesses and Demigods might have turned against Her. She prayed with Her heart's content to the Gods, Goddesses and Demigods to fulfill Her wish to marry Lord Krishna. Her thoughts were solely immersed in Shyamasundara. She placated Herself that Madhava's arrival was not yet expired. But still, it went to the extend of hoping for the hopeless thing to happen. Her eyes were shed with tears and worried much. He began to close her eyes tightly out of helplessness. At that time She felt some auspicious symptoms in different parts of the body. Trembling occurred and She experienced blissfulness. As soon as She saw the Brahmana, She was so anxious. When the Brahmana entered the place where Rukmini was awaiting, She felt the auspicious symptoms and was elate to see the Brahmana.

Rukmini was so happy to receive the Brahmana. As She was filled of gaiety, She inquired, "O Brahmana! Where is Krishna? Did He come along with You?". The Brahmana replied, "My respectful obeisance to the princess of Vidarbha city! Lord Krishna has arrived Vidarbha city. He will certainly come and accept Your hand! This is my message. He has ordered Me to come and communicate this to You! So, fear not!". On hearing the words uttered by the Brahmana, Rukmini was ecstatic and elated to the extend. She offered Her respects to Him. She thought to offer Him something precious but due to the haste, She didn't know what to do. So, She just fell at His feet and told that she will be ever grateful to Him. She expressed her profuse gratitude to the Brahmana for giving this message. On hearing that Lord Krishna and Lord Balaram had arrived Vidarbha city, King Bhishmaka welcomed Them to see his daughter's wedding ceremony. They were welcomed with great pomp. Because King Bhishmaka was inclined to give His daughter. Rukmini to Lord Krishna. He arranged very nice accommodations for Lord Krishna and Lord Balaram. The inhabitants of Kundinapur began to drink Their nectar of magnificence. Because seeing Lord Krishna is just a festive occasion for the devoted souls. The inhabitants of Kundinapur were spontaneously attracted to Lord Krishna. They regularly wanted to see Lord Krishna. Their eyes were not fully satisfied because Lord Muraari possess the abode of all beauties and opulence. They thought that Lord Krishna is the wonderful personality and our princess, Rukmini was also exquisitely magnificent. They conversed, "O people! This folly Shishupala is not the right match for our princess. Krishna is the perfect match for Rukmini! May the province arrange for the marriage of Rukmini and Krishna if Rukmini has a good fortune in Her life! Only Rukmini deserves the wife of Krishna and no one else! May Lord Narayana accept our pious work that we have done and fulfill this desire!". The people of Kundinapur prayed to the Supreme Personality of Godhead that Lord Krishna and Rukmini should be married. 

Meanwhile, Rukmini accompanied with Her maid servants, elderly people and some of Her friends to worship Goddess Durga so that Her desire would be fulfilled. Rukmini was eternally elate and anxious and was expecting Shyamasundara's arrival. Many musical sounds were played including kettledrums, conchshells and bughles. Rukmini was beautified with colorful and dazzling garments, wearing ornaments, necklaces and gird on Her waist, applied sandalwood pulp and wore flower garlands. When Rukmini arrived the temple of Goddess Durga, She offered Her prayers to the Goddess, "O Maa Durga, My respectful obeisance unto You! I'm very desirous of having Lord Krishna as My husband! So please fulfill My desire to marry Shyamasundara!". Rukmini was surrounded by many people including military powers, the inhabitants of Kundinapur and the demoniac kings. After having the Darshan of Goddess Ambika, She departed from the temple. When Rukmini was coming out, She was looking gorgeous and all the kings, soldiers and men who came were attracted to Her beauty! Rukmini on the other hand was eagerly waiting for the arrival of Lord Krishna. She was immersed in the thoughts of Lord Krishna. When She was adjusting Her ornaments, the whole people were witnessing Her overwhelming beauty and suddenly She saw Lord Krishna present in the chariot among them. Even though She saw Lord Krishna for the first time, She could find Him without any kind of difficulty! She heard the nectarine qualities of Lord Krishna through Her ears and imagined how the Lord would be. And when She was witnessing for the very first time, She could correctly able to recognize the Lord. Lord Krishna very effortlessly went in the midst of people, swiftly took the hand of Rukmini and swiftly lifted Her up on the chariot. It appeared like how a fearless lion takes deer in amidst of many jackals. The demoniac king Jarasandha began to roar with anger, "How is it possible! How dare He come and kidnap princess Rukmini in the midst of so many people! Hey Kings! Just see how unconscious we were! Let us defeat and bring back Rukmini!".

TO BE CONTINUED...