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

 54. THE JUBILANT MARRIAGE OF RUKMINI AND LORD KRISHNA

When Lord Krishna kidnapped Rukmini in the midst of everyone, the demoniac princes like Jarasandha, Dantavakra, Viduratha and Paundraka became very agitated. As they were all captivated by the beauty of Rukmini, they didn't what was happening around them. They began to defeat the Lord by chasing Him along with their military phalanxes which includes soldiers, chariots, elephants and horses. The military forces of Yadu dynasty headed by Lord Balaram faced the opposite team and began to fight with them. So there started a dreadful fighting between the two bellicose groups. The opposite group began to shoot arrows on the Yadus that resembled shower of arrows. The demoniac princes were so determined to relieve Rukmini from the clutches of Krishna and to defeat with Him. On the other hand, gorgeous Rukmini who was seated next to Lord Krishna in the chariot was looking pleasing at Him. Rukmini was seeing Lord Krishna's beautiful face to express Her thankfulness for attempting such a risky and dangerous situation for Her. She became very sorry and Lord Krishna understood Her mind. Lord Muraari said, "O My dear Rukmini! You need not to feel sorry. Please take rest as the demoniac princes are defeating Our army". 

The fighting became even more terrible. The military phalanxes of Yadus headed by Lord Balaram began to shoot arrows on the opposite group's soldiers, chariots, elephants and horses. As soon as they thrown it, the soldiers' helmet, earrings fell down in the ground. Their hands were cut up by the force of arrows. Several horses and elephants fell down in the battlefield. When Jarasandha saw the strength of Yadus military forces, he thought it not a wise decision to lose his military phalanxes only for the sake of demoniac prince Shishupala. He thought that Shishupala himself should fight with Him and to relieve Rukmini from the clutches of Krishna. The soldiers understood that Shishupala was not capable to fight against with Krishna. So, they immediately dispersed from the battlefield. At the time when some princes saw Shishupala was so dejected, they began to pacify him. They uttered as follows, "O Shishupala, don't be dejected! You are the chief of fighters and you belong to a kingly order. Don't be sad because everything in this world is temporary. All situations are not everlasting. It is all controlled by the Supreme controller who controls us like a puppets". Understanding why there was such a catastrophic situation was due to the King Bhismaka's elder son, Rukmi. Rukmi was frustrated. He along with his demoniac princes returned to their respective homes. As Rukmi was vexated, he decided to teach Krishna a good lesson and to rescue his sister, Rukmini from Krishna. Rukmi called upon his military forces and began to follow the Lord. In order to reveal his dignity he made a promise to the princes, "I will fight against Krishna and will teach Him a good lesson. I will rescue my sister Rukmini from the clutches of Krishna, I promise you all. If I fail to fulfill my promise, I will not return back to Kundinapur. I'm damn sure that that will not happen". Rukmi got on his chariot and told his driver to chase Krishna. He said, "Let me see what the cowherd boy is going to do. How dare He kidnap my sister in the midst of everyone! Well, I will teach that cowherd boy a good lesson and will bring back my sister". The moronic Rukmi stood before the Lord and was constantly saying, "Hey Krishna, I said stop for a minute. I want to fight with You". He continued, "You are the most unpleasant descendant of Your dynasty. You stolen my sister, Rukmini. You have just pride on Your military forces. You can only have my sister as long as I shoot arrows on You!". On hearing Rukmi's ignorant words, Lord Krishna instantly shoot an arrow that made Rukmi unable to use bow. Rukmi took his arrow spontaneously and shoot five arrows at Lord Krishna. He again shoot third arrow to break off Lord's string. Lord Krishna in order to teach Rukmi a wise lesson shoot six arrows at him. Four horses and chariot driver were killed by five arrows and Rukmi's upper portion of chariot and flag were attacked. 

As he used up all arrows, he called his soldiers to take shields, lances, tridents and other weapons to defeat the Lord but the Lord chopped all those weapons. Rukmi was profusely failing in each and every attempt. Being confounded, Rukmi took a sword and immediately and swiftly reached Lord Krishna to attack Him. But the Lord severed Rukmi's sword into pieces. When Lord Krishna with His sharp sword and was almost to kill him, Rukmini, sister of Rukmi fell down immediately at the beautiful lotus feet of the Lord and pleaded Him to excuse her brother. She uttered, "O Yogeshvara, I plead You! Please excuse My brother Rukmi. You deserve all opulence but My brother only had a lessened military power. You are inestimable and indescribable, but My brother is not so. O Jagapati! You are the Master of Gods! Please don't kill My brother!". While She was praying to the Lord, Her eyes were shed with tears, Her throat was choked and she fell at the lotus feet of the Lord on the ground. After seeing Rukmini in that condition Lord Krishna became compassionate and excused Rukmi. But He wanted to give Rukmi a token punishment. Lord Krishna tied his hands with cloth and took His sword. He gave a very peculiar haircut to Rukmi. He just shaved partially and Rukmi was made disfigured. When Lord Krishna was disfiguring Rukmi, Lord Balaram fight against with Rukmi's military army and destroyed all his forces. After destroying the military forces of Rukmi, Lord Balaram came to see Lord Krishna. When Lord Balaram saw the peculiar haircut of Rukmi, He surprised to see him. 

Having compassion for Rukmini, Lord Balaram released Rukmi. Lord Balaram said, "This is not fair Krishna! He is now Our brother-in-law and You have disfigured him. You are not supposed to insult the brother of Your wife. Cutting hair and moustache is almost equivalent to kill him". Lord Balaram then pacified Rukmini with soft words, "O Rukmini, You need not to feel sorry as Your brother is odd looking. It is all about one's Karma. He is now facing his Karma due to his past action. It is the foremost duty of a Kshatriya to fight against the opposite team even if they are his relatives, friends, brother, sister or whatever. So, in this world, nothing is permanent. If one engages in devotional service by pleasing the Supreme Lord, he will become pure and self realize him. My dear Rukimi, now be happy and smile sweetly!". Rukmini forgot Her depression as She was consoled by Lord Balaram. On hearing the pacified words uttered by Lord Balaram, Rukmini smiled happily and came out from that condition. As Rukmi failed to fulfill his vow, he decided not to return back to Kundinapur. His envy and anger towards Lord Krishna increased because he was insulted like this. So he stayed in Bhojakata and made a small cottage to live in that city.

Defeating all military forces of opposite group, Lord Krishna, Lord Balaram and Rukmini returned to Dwaraka kingdom. The city was so elate, the inhabitants of Dwaraka celebrated happily. They put up gorgeous clothes and beautified themselves with ornaments. They presented gifts to the Bridegroom  Lord Krishna and Bride, Rukmini. All the houses of them were adorned with flags, flowers and festoons. In front of everyone's house, there were huge water pots filled with water. They set up thousands of lamps and the aroma of incense was very nice. The whole was filled with banana trees and betel nut trees. Pandavas and Kurus were invited for the marriage ceremony of Rukmini and Lord Krishna. They felt unhappy as Krishna kidnapped Rukmini and marries Her. But it was not unfamiliar among Kshatriyas. Nanda Maharaja and cowherd boys of Vrindavan also arrived on the marriage ceremony. The entire Dwaraka was filled with extreme jubilancy  as Lord Krishna and Rukmini were united. 

TO BE CONTINUED..