|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 247 – The legend of Lord Krishna -  98

Rukmini Haranam

Thadhahamapi Thacchiththo Nidhram Cha Na  Labhe Nishi | Vedham Rukmina Dhveshan Mamodhvaho Nivaritha: ||

Krishna speaks “Oh! Bhraman, I was not getting sleep in the night hours, my mind was completely in the thoughts of Rukmini, I was finding it difficult to express my love for her, it is sad that Rukmi decided to perform her marriage with Shishupala.”

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, Krishna ordered his charioteer Dharuka to keep ready the chariot, and hurried to the chariot and took a seat in it and invited Bhramana to be seated next to him.  He was neither informed to Balarama nor Udhdhava, the chariot moved at the speed of the wind.  In the Kingdom of Vidharbha, the fortress was decorated with magnificent gems, flags, flowers, pathways, and courtyard were well decorated, the whole city was ready for the grand celebration, Brahmanas were performing fire sacrifices, recitation of Vedic-chants were reverberating in the sky.  The Kingdom of Chedi has the same festive mood, decorated for the grand wedding, performance of various religious rites was taking place.  Shishupala arrived with his associates Shalya, Jarasandha, Dhanthavakthra, and  Paundraka, were received with great respect and offered fortresses for their stay.  Devi Rukmini was getting ready to leave to the shrine of Goddess Girija, ladies assembled around Devi Rukmini and adorned her with various ornaments, fragrances, flowers, and exquisite garments.  She was immersed at the thoughts of Krishna, she became anxious whether Krishna makes it or not, her eyes were brimming with tears, ladies surrounded her pacified; suddenly her left eye trembled as a good omen, she understood that everything going to be auspicious.  Suddenly, Rukmini saw the pleasing face of Brahmana who was sent as a messenger to Krishna removed all her worries.   She rushed to Bhramana and heard that Krishna has already promised to take away Rukmini, she prostrated before the Brahmana.  Once again, Rukmini enthusiastically got ready herself for Krishna.

Balarama enquired the guards of the Palace the reason for Krishna’s sudden journey, even they had no clear information about it, somehow managed to convey the message of Krishna’s journey to Kundinapuram/Vidharbha.  Balarama with huge men of the army left Dwaraka, he was following Krishna to Vidharbha.  Krishna looked back and saw Balarama, they looked at each other’s eyes, Balaram who instructed Krishna to perform the task without much chaos in Vidharbha.  The people of Vibharbha came to know about the visit of Krishna, they crowded to see him and cheered, they openly wished Krishna should marry Rukmini, they would make a great pair.

Namasye Thvam Ambike  Abheekshnam Swasanthanayutham Shivam | Bhooyath Pathirmey Bhagavan Krishna Thadhanumodhatham ||

Devi Rukmini happily followed her female attendants and warriors, accompanied by a group of performers of divine musical instruments, thus they moved out of the palace of Vidharbha and proceeded to the shrine of Goddess Girija.  Before entering the shrine, she washed her feet and stood before the deity and prayed “ Oh! Ambike along with Lord Parameshwara and children, I shall prostrate before you, kindly bless me to attain Bhagavan Krishna as my husband.” She worshiped Goddess Girija with various ingredients, flowers, scents, and fruits; she worshiped Vipasthri/wives of Bhramanas, offered betel leaves, turmeric, and fruits.  Devi Rukmini got out of the shrine and walked on the grand path ways where the Kings and saintly men stood on the both the sides of the path ways were fallen unconscious watching her mesmerizing beauty.   Devi Rukmini has a lovely appearance, she has beautiful physical features, beautiful lips resemble Bimba fruits, attractive smile,  large and raised bosom, her beautiful long attractive hair locks decorated with various flowers or rich fragrances, she was walking like a swan, she has adorned in various ornaments all over the body, her anklets were made attractive jingling noises.  Devi Rukmini realized that Lord Krishna must be somewhere in the crowd, her eyes looked around searching for him.  Devi Rukmini handed the try containing the vermilion, flowers and other ingredients to her female attendant, she cleared the curly hairs locks fallen on her face, causing hindrance to getting a clear view of the audience, suddenly her eyes caught hold of Acchyutha who was standing among the Kings with an attractive smile.  Madhava rushed to Devi Rukmini and seized her hand, carried her in his hands and deposited in his chariot.  The Kings assembled were screamed in panic, Shishupala felt ashamed to watch his pry snatched by a lion.  Shishupala was completely dejected; Jarasandha pacified him mentioning his series of failures in the battle with Krishna.