BHISHMAKA, the king of Vidarbha,
had five sons and an only daughter, Rukmini, a princess of matchless beauty,
charm and strength of character. Having heard of Krishna
and his renown, she wished to be united to him in wedlock and the desire daily
grew in intensity. Her relatives approved the idea, all except her eldest
brother Rukma, the heir apparent, between whom and Krishna
there was no love lost. Rukma pressed his father not to give Rukmini in
marriage to the ruler of Dwaraka but to marry her instead to Sisupala, the king
of Chedi. The king being old, Rukma's became the dominant voice and it looked
as though Rukmini would be compelled to marry Sisupala. Rukmini, whose heart
was wholly Krishna's because she was Lakshmi
incarnate, was disconsolate. She feared that her father would be helpless
against her domineering brother and would not be able to prevent the unhappy
marriage. Mustering all her strength of mind, Rukmini resolved somehow to find
a way out of her predicament. She took counsel with a brahmana whom, abandoning
all maidenly reserve, she sent as her emissary to Krishna,
charging him to explain matters to her beloved and sue for help. The brahmana
accordingly went to Dwaraka and conveyed to Krishna Rukmini's sad plight and
her entreaty, and handed to him the letter Rukmini had sent through him. The
letter ran as follows: "My heart has already accepted you as lord and
master. I charge you therefore to come and succour me before Sisupala carries
me off by force. The matter cannot brook any delay; so you must be here
tomorrow. Sisupala's forces, as well as Jarasandha's, will oppose you and will
have to be overcome before you can have me. May you be the triumphant hero and
capture me! My brother has decided to marry me to Sisupala and, as part of the
wedding ceremonies, I am going to the temple along with my retinue to offer
worship to Parvati. That would be the best time for you to come and rescue me.
If you do not turn up, I will put an end to my life so that I may at least join
you in my next birth." Krishna read this
and immediately mounted his chariot. At the king's behest, Kundinapura, the
capital of Vidarbha, was most gorgeously decorated and preparations for the
wedding of the princess with Sisupala were in full swing. The bridegroom elect
and his associates, all sworn enemies of Krishna,
had already assembled in the capital. Balarama came to know of Krishna's sudden and secret departure, all by himself.
Guessing that it must be about the daughter of the king of Vidarbha and anxious
lest Krishna should be hemmed in alone by
mortal enemies thirsting for his blood, he hurriedly assembled a great force
and marched on to Kundinapura. Leaving her apartments, Rukmini, accompanied by
her retinue, went in procession to the temple, where divine service was held.
"Oh Devi," implored Rukmini, praying for her intercession. "I
prostrate myself before thee who knowest my devotion. Grant that Krishna may espouse me."
Stepping out of the temple,
Rukmini sighted Krishna's chariot and ran
straight as a needle to the attracting magnet. She fled to him and got into his
chariot. And Krishna drove off with her, to
the bewilderment of all around. The servants ran to Rukma, the heir apparent,
and related what had happened. "I will not return without killing Janardana,"
swore Rukma, and went in pursuit of Krishna
with a large force. But, meanwhile, Balarama had arrived with his army, and a
great battle ensued between the two opposing forces in which the enemy was
utterly routed. Balarama and Krishna returned home in triumph, where Rukmini's
wedding with Krishna was celebrated with
customary rites. The defeated Rukma was ashamed to return to Kundinapura and
built at the very site of the battle between Krishna and himself a new city, Bhojakata, over
which he ruled.
Hearing of the Kurukshetra
battle, Rukma arrived there with a huge force. Thinking that he could thereby
win the friendship of Vasudeva, he offered help to the Pandavas. "Oh
Pandavas," said he addressing Dhananjaya, "the enemy forces are very
large. I have come to help you. Give me the word and I shall attack whichever
sector of the enemy formation you would like me to. I have the strength to
attack Drona, Kripa or even Bhishma. I shall bring you victory. Only let me
know your wish." Turning to Vasudeva, Dhananjaya laughed. "Oh, ruler
of Bhojakata," said Arjuna, "we are not afraid of the size of the
enemy forces. We have no need of your help and do not particularly desire it.
You may either go away or stay on, just as you like." At this, Rukma was
filled with anger and shame and went to Duryodhana's camp with his army.
"The Pandavas have refused my proffered assistance." Said he to
Duryodhana. "My forces are at your disposal." "Is it not after
the Pandavas rejected your assistance that you have come here?" exclaimed
Duryodhana, and added: "I am not in such dire need yet as to welcome their
leavings."
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