॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
Srimad Bhagavatam - snippet 8- Saturday, 2 September 2023 - Rukmini, Sri Krishna's remarkable queen.
***
Sri Krishna is stated to have had 16108 queens. When he saved Parikshit in the womb of Uttaraa attacked by Brahmanstra launched by the evil Ashwatthama to eradicate the Pandava line, Sri Krishna swore on his Brahmacharya to save the baby and also gave him Darshan as the Supreme Bhagavan in the womb itself. That pretty much clears Bhagavan Sri Krishna as the Leela Avatara play-acting the role of the dutiful husband to no less than 16108 queens!
What about the queens themselves? Srimad Bhagavatam says that they were completely besotted with their divine husband, who fulfilled every desire of theirs and played the best husband ever. He was equally loving to all. He was always with each of them in his Leela Avatara.
Devi Rukmini
The superstar among Sri Krishna’s queens is Rukmini. She is a princess who dares to defy her powerful and evil brother Rukmi with his powerful supporters like Jarasandha, the nearly unconquerable Asuric king and father-in-law of Kamsa himself. She defies the diktat that for political convenience she should wed, Shishupala who was the sworn enemy of Sri Krishna. Rulmini defied her powerful brother and sought the love of Sri Krishna who responded magnificently.
The superstar among Sri Krishna’s queens is Rukmini. She is a princess who dares to defy her powerful and evil brother Rukmi with his powerful supporters like Jarasandha, the nearly unconquerable Asuric king and father-in-law of Kamsa himself. She defies the diktat that for political convenience she should wed, Shishupala who was the sworn enemy of Sri Krishna. Rulmini defied her powerful brother and sought the love of Sri Krishna who responded magnificently.
सोपश्रुत्य मुकुन्दस्य रूपवीर्यगुणश्रियः । गृहागतैर्गीयमानास्तं मेने सदृशं पतिम् ॥
तां बुद्धिलक्षणौदार्यरूपशीलगुणाश्रयाम् । कृष्णश्च सदृशीं भार्यां समुद्वोढुं मनो दधे ॥
"Hearing of the beauty, prowess, transcendental character and opulence of Mukunda Sri Krishna from visitors to the palace who sang his praises, Rukmini decided in her mind that he would make the perfect husband for her. At the same time, Sri Krishna knew that Rukmini possessed intelligence, auspicious bodily markings, magnanimity, beauty, perfect demeanour and all other good qualities. Concluding that she would be an ideal wife for him, Sri Krishna made up his mind to marry her."
Rukmini now sent her famous secret letter to Sri Krishna through a trusted Brahmin to Dwaraka urging Sri Krishna to come and rescue her and marry her. This is her letter:
https://rsachi.blogspot.com/2023/05/srimad-bhagavatam-x-b52-23-may-2023.html
रुक्मिण्युवाच ( It could be either a written letter to avoid ambiguity or a verbal message that the Brahmin was gifted in being able to repeat verbatim!)
श्रुत्वा गुणान् भुवनसुन्दर शृण्वतां ते निर्विश्य कर्णविवरैर्हरतोऽङ्गतापम् ।
रूपं दृशां दृशिमतामखिलार्थलाभं त्वय्यच्युताविशति चित्तमपत्रपं मे ॥
का त्वा मुकुन्द महती कुलशीलरूपविद्यावयोद्रविणधामभिरात्मतुल्यम् ।
धीरा पतिं कुलवती न वृणीत कन्या काले नृसिंह नरलोकमनोऽभिरामम् ॥
तन्मे भवान् खलु वृतः पतिरङ्गजायामात्मार्पितश्च भवतोऽत्र विभो विधेहि ।
मा वीरभागमभिमर्शतु चैद्य आराद्गोमायुवन्मृगपतेर्बलिमम्बुजाक्ष ॥
पूर्तेष्टदत्तनियमव्रतदेवविप्रगुर्वर्चनादिभिरलं भगवान् परेशः ।
आराधितो यदि गदाग्रज एत्य पाणिं गृह्णातु मे न दमघोषसुतादयोऽन्ये ॥
श्वोभाविनि त्वमजितोद्वहने विदर्भान्गुप्तः समेत्य पृतनापतिभिः परीतः ।
निर्मथ्य चैद्यमगधेन्द्रबलं प्रसह्यमां राक्षसेनविधिनोद्वह वीर्यशुल्काम् ॥
अन्तःपुरान्तरचरीमनिहत्य बन्धून्त्वामुद्वहे कथमिति प्रवदाम्युपायम् ।
पूर्वेद्युरस्ति महती कुलदेवियात्रा यस्यां बहिर्नववधूर्गिरिजामुपेयात् ॥
Rukmini said: "Oh the embodiment of the beauty of the worlds, the descriptions of your divine qualities remove my bodily distress the moment I hear them. Sri Krishna, I have heard how just one look at your astounding beauty forever satisfies the desires of anyone in respect of seeking to see beauty. Therefore, Sri Krishna, I now confess my unabashed love for you. Oh, Mukunda, you are equal only to yourself (i.e. you are non-pareil) in lineage, character, beauty, knowledge, youthfulness, wealth and influence."
" Oh, lion among men, You delight the minds of all mankind. What aristocratic, sober-minded and marriageable girl of a good family would not choose you for a husband when the proper time comes? Therefore, my dear lord, I have chosen you as my husband, and I surrender myself to you. Please come swiftly, oh almighty one, and make me your wife. My dear lotus-eyed lord, make sure that Shishupala never touches the hero’s portion like a jackal stealing the property of a lion."
(Note: This simile reveals the Kshatriya blood in the girl, drawing a simile from the lord of the forest and his prey.)
"If my worship of the Supreme Being till now through performing Dharmic deeds, Yajnas, charity, rituals and vows of austerity, and also worshipping the gods, Brahmins and gurus, has been true and efficacious, then may Gadagraja (name of Sri Krishna whose younger brother Gada was born to Vasudeva through another queen) come and take my hand, and not Damaghosha’s son (Shishupala) or anyone else!"
"Oh unconquerable Sri Krishna, tomorrow when my marriage ceremony arranged with Shishupala is about to begin, You should arrive unseen in Vidarbha along with your army. Then please crush the forces of Shishupala and Jarasandha and marry me in the Rakshasa way (i.e. abduction by force), winning me with your valour!"
"Please note this carefully. Since I am confined within the inner, ladies' quarter of the palace, you may wonder how to take me away without killing the women guarding me. But there is a way! Just the day before the wedding, we will go on a procession to worship our family deity Ma Durga in the Girija Temple. I will therefore be in that group in open spaces and accessible. "
See the wonderful spirit of Devi Rukmini and her choice of words! Indeed the ideal queen for Sri Krishna!
यस्याङ्घ्रिपङ्कजरजःस्नपनं महान्तो वाञ्छन्त्युमापतिरिवात्मतमोऽपहत्यै ।
यर्ह्यम्बुजाक्ष न लभेय भवत्प्रसादं जह्यामसून् व्रतकृशान् शतजन्मभिः स्यात् ॥
T: "Oh, lotus-eyed Lord! I know that even great souls like Lord Shiva hanker to bathe in the dust of your lotus feet in order to overcome the delusory effect of Maya that hides Paramatma. If I cannot obtain your mercy, I shall simply give up my life breath, as I am weakened already from my severe penances. Then, I will have to wait for many lifetimes to secure your compassion!"
The Brahmin concluded gravely, "My Lord! This is the message I have brought from Princess Rukmini. Kindly consider her plea and do what you deem best. “
Subsequently, we have read how Sri Krishna went and heroically saved and married Rukmini.
***Intermission***
Now, fast forward to their domestic blissful life. There is a wonderful dialogue of Sri Krishna and Rukmini covering a gamut of lessons for us!See the spirit in which Rukmini replies!
https://rsachi.blogspot.com/2023/05/srimad-bhagavatam-x-b60-31-may-2023.html
श्रीशुक उवाच
कर्हिचित्सुखमासीनं स्वतल्पस्थं जगद्गुरुम् । पतिं पर्यचरद्भैष्मी व्यजनेन सखीजनैः ॥
यस्त्वेतल्लीलया विश्वं सृजत्यत्त्यवतीश्वरः । स हि जातः स्वसेतूनां गोपीथाय यदुष्वजः ॥
Sage Shuka narrated: On one occasion, Queen Rukmini was seated on her couch in the inner chamber with Bhagavan Sri Krishna, surrounded by servants. Rukmini was lovingly fanning her beloved husband, who is indeed by His Leela the creator, devourer and protector at the same time of this universe!
कर्हिचित्सुखमासीनं स्वतल्पस्थं जगद्गुरुम् । पतिं पर्यचरद्भैष्मी व्यजनेन सखीजनैः ॥
यस्त्वेतल्लीलया विश्वं सृजत्यत्त्यवतीश्वरः । स हि जातः स्वसेतूनां गोपीथाय यदुष्वजः ॥
Sage Shuka narrated: On one occasion, Queen Rukmini was seated on her couch in the inner chamber with Bhagavan Sri Krishna, surrounded by servants. Rukmini was lovingly fanning her beloved husband, who is indeed by His Leela the creator, devourer and protector at the same time of this universe!
Sage Shuka describes the most evocative scene of connubial bliss enjoyed by Rukmini and Sri Krishna.
Rukmini's palace was magnificent, boasting a canopy hung with brilliant strings of pearls, as well as effulgent jewels shining like lamps. Garlands of jasmine and other flowers hung here and there, attracting swarms of humming bees, and the spotless rays of the moon shone through the holes, and the cool breeze carried the mood of a Parijata garden into the room. There the Queen served her husband, the Supreme Lord of all the worlds, as He reclined upon an opulent pillow on her bed, which was as soft and white as the foam of milk. Rukmini took the Yak-hair fan from her maid's hand and fanned her beloved Sri Krishna holding its bejewelled handle. Her bracelets tinkled from her effort, and she looked resplendent as she stood fanning her lord. Her jewelled ankle-bells tinkled occasionally, and her necklace glittered, reddened by the vermilion smeared on her breasts, which were covered by the end of her sari. On her waist, she wore a priceless belt.
Sri Krishna was delighted that Devi Lakshmi had taken the form of Rukmini and was with him. Her charming face was adorned with curling hair, earrings, and a locket on her neck, and out poured the nectar of her bright, happy smile.
Rukmini's palace was magnificent, boasting a canopy hung with brilliant strings of pearls, as well as effulgent jewels shining like lamps. Garlands of jasmine and other flowers hung here and there, attracting swarms of humming bees, and the spotless rays of the moon shone through the holes, and the cool breeze carried the mood of a Parijata garden into the room. There the Queen served her husband, the Supreme Lord of all the worlds, as He reclined upon an opulent pillow on her bed, which was as soft and white as the foam of milk. Rukmini took the Yak-hair fan from her maid's hand and fanned her beloved Sri Krishna holding its bejewelled handle. Her bracelets tinkled from her effort, and she looked resplendent as she stood fanning her lord. Her jewelled ankle-bells tinkled occasionally, and her necklace glittered, reddened by the vermilion smeared on her breasts, which were covered by the end of her sari. On her waist, she wore a priceless belt.
Sri Krishna was delighted that Devi Lakshmi had taken the form of Rukmini and was with him. Her charming face was adorned with curling hair, earrings, and a locket on her neck, and out poured the nectar of her bright, happy smile.
The Lord then spoke to her as follows. Indeed, his words changed the mood completely!
"My dear princess, you were sought after by many kings powerful like the guardians of the quarters. They had abundant political influence, wealth, beauty, generosity and physical strength. Your brother and father wanted you to choose from them. Why did you reject the King of Cedi (Shishupala) and all those other suitors, who stood before you, hopelessly in love with you? Why, instead, did you choose me, who am not at all your equal?"
"My dear Rukmini, you know how we built our safe haven in the sea as we were afraid of their attacks. We even gave up Mathura's royal throne. "
"You well know how it is. Women who choose men of unpredictable nature by defying society's norms are known to suffer much. We have no material possessions, and we are dear to only those similarly impoverished. Indeed, Oh slender one, the wealthy hardly ever worship me.”
ययोरात्मसमं वित्तं जन्मैश्वर्याकृतिर्भवः । तयोर्विवाहो मैत्री च नोत्तमाधमयोः क्वचित् ॥
"Marriage and friendship are proper between two people who are equal in terms of their wealth, birth, influence, physical appearance and capacity for good progeny, but never between a superior and an inferior. Oh, Princess of Vidarbha, I am afraid that not being farsighted, you didn’t realise this, and therefore you chose me as your husband, even though we have no good qualities, simply by listening to glowing stories about us narrated by deluded beggars!"
“The prudent thing for you, therefore, is to take a more suitable husband, a first-class man of the royal order who can help you achieve everything you want, both in this life and the next. Shishupala, Dantavaktra, Jarasandha, Rukmi, all hate me.”
तेषां वीर्यमदान्धानां दृप्तानां स्मयनुत्तये ।आनीतासि मया भद्रे तेजोऽपहरतासताम् ॥
T: "I must tell you that I came and carried you away only to dispel the arrogance of those kings. My good woman, they were blinded by the intoxication of power. My purpose was to curb the strength of the wicked."
उदासीना वयं नूनं न स्त्र्यपत्यार्थकामुकाः । आत्मलब्ध्याऽऽस्महे पूर्णा गेहयोर्ज्योतिरक्रियाः ॥
The important thing to know is that our nature (he means my nature) is such that we care nothing for wives, children, wealth, and the pleasures of a comfortable life with family and fortune. On the other hand, we are always content within ourselves and do not work to enrich the physical body and material home. We are akin to light, that gets attached to nothing, and stays a witness always!"
Why these pungent words and unhappy suggestions to Rukmini in a moment of connubial bliss?
Rukmini's apple cart seemed to topple instantly. her sangfroid was shattered by the Lord's uncaring words and advice that she go and take a new and better husband! Her fan slipped down, she also fainted and collapsed in utter dismay.
Rukmini's apple cart seemed to topple instantly. her sangfroid was shattered by the Lord's uncaring words and advice that she go and take a new and better husband! Her fan slipped down, she also fainted and collapsed in utter dismay.
Sri Krishna knew she had not understood his humour. He knew how much she loved him. He lifted her and embraced her most lovingly now. "My dearest, Rukmini, don't take my words seriously! I only joked!" Wiping her tears, caressing her lovely face, Sri Krishna continued, 'My dearest, I only wanted to push you to respond to these words, and looked forward to what you would say!" " Please, please, don't be cross, Rukmini! You know we householders like to joke like this at home with our near and dear ones!"
Rukmini quickly composed herself, and smiling, she responded. Her words made me choose this topic for today's snippet!
Rukmini quickly composed herself, and smiling, she responded. Her words made me choose this topic for today's snippet!
https://rsachi.blogspot.com/2023/06/srimad-bhagavatam-x-b60-1-june-2023.html
श्रीशुक उवाच
सैवं भगवता राजन् वैदर्भी परिसान्त्विता । ज्ञात्वा तत्परिहासोक्तिं प्रियत्यागभयं जहौ ॥
बभाष ऋषभं पुंसां वीक्षन्ती भगवन्मुखम् । सव्रीडहासरुचिरस्निग्धापाङ्गेन भारत ॥
Sage Shuka continued: Consoled by Sri Krishna's disarming confession that he had only spoken in jest and feeling his effusive and sincere affection showered on her, Rukmini recovered her composure and smiled, looking bashfully sidelong at Sri Krishna and then spoke.
श्रीरुक्मिण्युवाच
नन्वेवमेतदरविन्दविलोचनाह यद्वै भवान् भगवतोऽसदृशी विभूम्न: ।
क्व स्वे महिम्न्यभिरतो भगवांस्त्र्यधीश: क्वाहं गुणप्रकृतिरज्ञगृहीतपादा ॥
सत्यं भयादिव गुणेभ्य उरुक्रमान्त: शेते समुद्र उपलम्भनमात्र आत्मा ।
नित्यं कदिन्द्रियगणै: कृतविग्रहस्त्वं त्वत्सेवकैर्नृपपदं विधुतं तमोऽन्धम् ॥
त्वत्पादपद्ममकरन्दजुषां मुनीनां वर्त्मास्फुटं नृपशुभिर्ननु दुर्विभाव्यम् ।
यस्मादलौकिकमिवेहितमीश्वरस्य भूमंस्तवेहितमथो अनु ये भवन्तम् ॥
Sri Rukmini spoke: "Oh, Lord with lotus-eyes, indeed what you have said is true. I am unsuitable and not your equal in any way! You are the supreme Bhagavan, master of the three worlds, delighting in Paramatma always, and I a mere mortal pursued by trivial men! You are Trivikrama, residing in the ocean (a pun on Dwaraka and the Milky Ocean), hiding as it were from the Maya of three Gunas, rejecting royal living to stay away from the sense enemies, something that even your servants are wise to follow! Coming to your inscrutability, yes, I agree. When sages who dwell as honey-bees in your lotus feet are themselves unable to understand you, what about men who live like animals giving in to sense pleasures? Not only you, oh, Lord, but even your followers are also hard to understand!"
In this vein, Rukmini answered each of the points raised by Sri Krishna, demonstrating the intellect and wisdom of the best of devotees.
निष्किञ्चनो ननु भवान् न यतोऽस्ति किञ्चिद्यस्मै बलिं बलिभुजोऽपि हरन्त्यजाद्या: ।
न त्वा विदन्त्यसुतृपोऽन्तकमाढ्यतान्धा: प्रेष्ठो भवान् बलिभुजामपि तेऽपि तुभ्यम् ॥
त्वं वै समस्तपुरुषार्थमय: फलात्मा यद्वाञ्छया सुमतयो विसृजन्ति कृत्स्नम् ।
तेषां विभो समुचितो भवत: समाज: पुंस: स्त्रियाश्च रतयो: सुखदु:खिनोर्न ॥
त्वं न्यस्तदण्डमुनिभिर्गदितानुभाव आत्मात्मदश्च जगतामिति मे वृतोऽसि ।
हित्वा भवद्भ्रुव उदीरितकालवेग ध्वस्ताशिषोऽब्जभवनाकपतीन् कुतोऽन्ये ॥
जाड्यं वचस्तव गदाग्रज यस्तु भूपान् विद्राव्य शार्ङ्गनिनदेन जहर्थ मां त्वम् ।
सिंहो यथा स्वबलिमीश पशून् स्वभागं तेभ्यो भयाद् यदुदधिं शरणं प्रपन्न: ॥
यद्वाञ्छया नृपशिखामणयोऽङ्गवैन्यजायन्तनाहुषगयादय ऐक्यपत्यम् ।
राज्यं विसृज्य विविशुर्वनमम्बुजाक्ष सीदन्ति तेऽनुपदवीं त इहास्थिता: किम् ॥
"That you possess nothing materially is because nothing is outside of you, oh, Lord, the very reason even Brahma (who receives Yajna offerings) worships you! Those engrossed in their own wealth fail to see you as Kaala (Death!) that ends all possessions. Coming to courting your company instead of harbouring animosity, only the wise give up all else and surrender to you, not those stuck in pleasure and pain of lusty desires."
" You are the embodiment of all human goals and are yourself the final aim of life. Desiring to attain you, oh, all-powerful Lord, intelligent persons abandon everything else. It is they who are worthy of your association, not men and women absorbed in the pleasures and griefs resulting from their lives of lust."
"Consider this. Even those on the path of Sannyasa (ascetic renunciation) give up their staff and surrender to you finally! Is there any surprise then that I rejected Brahma, Shiva and other gods and came to you (harks to Sri Lakshmi's wedding Maha Vishnu when she rose from the Milky Ocean). Your mere twitching of eyebrows is enough to annihilate creation. So those proud of their possessions are foolish. What question then remains about why I rejected other mortal kings?"
"My Lord, like a lion drives away lesser animals to claim his proper tribute, you dispersed rival kings with your Sharnga bow when they came and attacked you. How can you say a foolish thing now that you ran away and hid in the middle of the ocean?"
Rukmini lists the names of many kings over the ages who abandoned their throne and went seeking the Lord to an ascetic life in the forest - Nahusha, Anga, Jayanta, Gaya... Bhagavan Sri Krishna's lotus feet are the shelter of even Sri Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity; these are what Rukmini has sought. How could she have sought anyone else?
"May your feet, which give freedom from illusion to the one approaching them for worship, give shelter to me, I who have been wandering from one material situation to another. Never for me the life of other women who have sought other men - all of them nothing but a living corpse covered with skin, whiskers, nails, head-hair and body-hair and filled with flesh, bones, blood, parasites, faeces, mucus, bile and air. Oh, lotus-eyed one, though you are satisfied within yourself- Paramatma- and thus rarely turn your attention toward me, please bless me with steady love for your feet. It is when you assume a predominance of passion in order to manifest the universe that you glance upon me, showing me what is indeed your greatest mercy."
Rukmini concludes by saying that Bhagavan was right to test her as often an unchaste woman covets other men. But Rukmini has demonstrated comprehensively how she is the fitting divine spouse for Bhagavan.
श्रीभगवानुवाच
साध्व्येतच्छ्रोतुकामैस्त्वं राजपुत्री प्रलम्भिता । मयोदितं यदन्वात्थ सर्वं तत् सत्यमेव हि ॥
यान् यान् कामयसे कामान् मय्यकामाय भामिनि । सन्ति ह्येकान्तभक्तायास्तव कल्याणि नित्यदा ॥
उपलब्धं पतिप्रेमपातिव्रत्यं च तेऽनघे । यद्वाक्यैश्चाल्यमानाया न धीर्मय्यपकर्षिता ॥
Bhagavan spoke: "My dearest Rukmini, whatever benedictions you hope for in order to become free of material desires are ever yours, for you have shown that you are an unalloyed devotee. Oh, saintly lady, oh, princess, I jested and confused you only to hear you speak like this. Indeed, everything you said in reply to my words is most certainly true. Oh, sinless one, I have now seen firsthand the pure love and chaste attachment you have for your husband. Even though shaken by my words, your mind could not be pulled away from me!"
Bhagavan adds two very important points. He is always ready to grant liberation. But even those who behave like pious people are quite satisfied with material gains and a worldly life of "domestic happiness." Thus, they miss the summum bonum of devotion. Then there are those who, during Bhagavan's incarnation, secure the rarest gift of being near his human form, and even developing a bond. But they are not, still, beyond the temptation of the world of senses and the deathly grip of Gunas. Hence they fail to take advantage of their most cherishable proximity to Bhagavan!
Sri Krishna declares that Devi Rukmini is the greatest of his devotees and the foremost among his spouses. He mentions with sincere appreciation how Rukmini withstood the ignominy of her brother Rukmi being shamed on the battle-field. Sri Krishna mentions how Rukmi got involved in a gambling match and was killed during the violence that followed, coinciding with the wedding of Aniruddha. Rukmini maintained a most stoic demeanour even after coming to know of Rukmi's death, respecting the occasion and out of respect for Sri Krishna.
मत्वा जिहास इदमङ्गमनन्ययोग्यं तिष्ठेत तत्त्वयि वयं प्रतिनन्दयाम: ॥
T: "Beloved Rukmini, May this greatness of yours remain with you always; I can do nothing to reciprocate except joyfully thanking you for your devotion."
Sage Shuka concludes this report of a most interesting dialogue between Sri Krishna and Rukmini by saying that this was also one of Bhagavan's Leelas and the Lord was play-acting the role of a typical worldly husband! He adds that such sports occurred even between Bhagavan and his other spouses.
