॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
24 May 2023, Wednesday - Srimad Bhagavatam X b.53 - Sri Krishna arrives, and takes away Rukmini returning from the Devi temple in full view of all the rival kings.
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श्रीशुक उवाच
वैदर्भ्याः स तु सन्देशं निशम्य यदुनन्दनः । प्रगृह्य पाणिना पाणिं प्रहसन्निदमब्रवीत् ॥
श्रीभगवानुवाच
तथाहमपि तच्चित्तो निद्रां च न लभे निशि । वेदाहं रुक्मिणा द्वेषान्ममोद्वाहो निवारितः ॥
तामानयिष्य उन्मथ्य राजन्यापसदान् मृधे । मत्परामनवद्याङ्गीमेधसोऽग्निशिखामिव ॥
T: Sage Shuka narrated: After hearing the secret message and plea sent by Princess Rukmini through the Brahmin, Sr Krishna, Yadu Nandana, took the Brahmin’s hand and, smilingly said: "Just as Rukmini’s mind is fixed on me, my mind too is fixed on her! I can’t even sleep at night. I know that Rukmi, out of political envy, has forbidden our marriage. Rukmini has dedicated herself exclusively to me, and her beauty is flawless. I will bring her here after thrashing those worthless kings in battle, just as one brings a blazing flame out of firewood."
Since Sri Krishna knew the exact time of the wedding Muhurta, he asked his charioteer to get the vehicle ready. Charioteer Daruka brought the Lord’s chariot, yoked with the horses named Shaibya, Sugriva, Meghapushpa and Balahaka. It is noteworthy that Shuka mentions the names of these horses that drew Bhagavan’s chariot at His will. Daruka stood with joined palms indicating it was ready. The valiant Sri Krishna mounted the chariot along with the Brahmin. They travelled rapidly and reached Vidarbha in a single night.
राजा स कुण्डिनपतिः पुत्रस्नेहवशं गतः ।
शिशुपालाय स्वां कन्यां दास्यन् कर्माण्यकारयत् ॥
पुरं सम्मृष्टसंसिक्तमार्गरथ्याचतुष्पथम् । चित्रध्वजपताकाभिस्तोरणैः समलङ्कृतम् ॥
स्रग्गन्धमाल्याभरणैर्विरजोऽम्बरभूषितैः । जुष्टं स्त्रीपुरुषैः श्रीमद्गृहैरगुरुधूपितैः ॥
पितॄन् देवान् समभ्यर्च्य विप्रांश्च विधिवन्नृप । भोजयित्वा यथान्यायं वाचयामास मङ्गलम् ॥
सुस्नातां सुदतीं कन्यां कृतकौतुकमङ्गलाम् । अहतांशुकयुग्मेन भूषितां भूषणोत्तमैः ॥
चक्रुः सामर्ग्यजुर्मन्त्रैर्वध्वा रक्षां द्विजोत्तमाः । पुरोहितोऽथर्वविद्वै जुहाव ग्रहशान्तये ॥
हिरण्यरूप्यवासांसि तिलांश्च गुडमिश्रितान् । प्रादाद्धेनूश्च विप्रेभ्यो राजा विधिविदां वरः ॥
एवं चेदिपती राजा दमघोषः सुताय वै । कारयामास मन्त्रज्ञैः सर्वमभ्युदयोचितम् ॥
मदच्युद्भिर्गजानीकैः स्यन्दनैर्हेममालिभिः । पत्त्यश्वसङ्कुलैः सैन्यैः परीतः कुण्डिनं ययौ ॥
तं वै विदर्भाधिपतिः समभ्येत्याभिपूज्य च । निवेशयामास मुदा कल्पितान्यनिवेशने ॥
तत्र शाल्वो जरासन्धो दन्तवक्त्रो विदूरथः । आजग्मुश्चैद्यपक्षीयाः पौण्ड्रकाद्याः सहस्रशः ॥
कृष्णरामद्विषो यत्ताः कन्यां चैद्याय साधितुम् । यद्यागत्य हरेत्कृष्णो रामाद्यैर्यदुभिर्वृतः ॥
योत्स्यामः संहतास्तेन इति निश्चितमानसाः । आजग्मुर्भूभुजः सर्वे समग्रबलवाहनाः ॥
T: King Bhishmaka was under his son’s influence. He made all the preparations for the grand wedding of Rukmini with Shishupala with great enthusiasm. The king had the main avenues, traders’ alleys and intersections thoroughly cleaned and then sprinkled with water for the dust to settle down. The city was decorated with triumphant archways and multicoloured banners on poles. The men and women of the city, arrayed in spotless raiment and anointed with fragrant sandalwood paste, wore precious necklaces, flower garlands and jewelled ornaments, and their opulent homes were filled with the aroma of aguru.
Bhishmaka worshipped the forefathers, gods and Brahmins, feeding them all properly, as per ritual. Then he had the traditional mantras chanted for the well-being of the bride.
The bride cleaned her teeth and bathed, after which she put on the auspicious wedding necklace. Then she was dressed in brand-new upper and lower garments adorned with most excellent ornaments. Brahmins chanted mantras of the Rik, Sama, and Yajur Vedas for the bride’s protection, and the priest learned in the Atharva Veda offered oblations to pacify the guardian planets. The learned King Bhishmaka rewarded the Brahmins with gold, silver, clothes, cows and sesame seeds mixed with raw sugar as per tradition.
Shishupala’s father, the king of Chedi, also engaged Brahmins to perform the rituals to propitiate their forefathers for blessing. His name was Damaghosha, and he led the bridegroom’s party in regal splendour with his army to Vidarbha. He was received most cordially by Bhishmaka and the host put up the groom’s party in well-appointed accommodation.
Shishupala’s supporter kings, Shalva, Jarasandha, Dantavaktra, and Vidurartha, were all present in full strength along with their armies.
All these rivals of Sri Krishna and Balarama conferred: “If Krishna comes here with Balarama and the other Yadus to steal the bride, we shall band together and fight him.” That is why those envious kings arrived at the wedding with their entire armies and a full complement of military conveyances.
श्रुत्वैतद्भगवान् रामो विपक्षीयनृपोद्यमम् । कृष्णं चैकं गतं हर्तुं कन्यां कलहशङ्कितः ॥
बलेन महता सार्धं भ्रातृस्नेहपरिप्लुतः । त्वरितः कुण्डिनं प्रागाद्गजाश्वरथपत्तिभिः ॥
T: When Balarama heard about the arrival of the inimical kings at Vidarbha and how Sri Krishna had proceeded alone to steal Rukmini, the bride, he feared that a fight would ensue. Balarama, who loved Sri Krishna, hurried to Kundina (the capital of Vidarbha) with a mighty Yadu army consisting of infantry and of soldiers riding on elephants, horses and chariots.
भीष्मकन्या वरारोहा काङ्क्षन्त्यागमनं हरेः । प्रत्यापत्तिमपश्यन्ती द्विजस्याचिन्तयत्तदा ॥
अहो त्रियामान्तरित उद्वाहो मेऽल्पराधसः ।
नागच्छत्यरविन्दाक्षो नाहं वेद्म्यत्र कारणम् ।
सोऽपि नावर्ततेऽद्यापि मत्सन्देशहरो द्विजः ॥
अपि मय्यनवद्यात्मा दृष्ट्वा किञ्चिज्जुगुप्सितम् । मत्पाणिग्रहणे नूनं नायाति हि कृतोद्यमः ॥
दुर्भगाया न मे धाता नानुकूलो महेश्वरः ।
देवी वा विमुखा गौरी रुद्राणी गिरिजा सती ॥
एवं चिन्तयती बाला गोविन्दहृतमानसा । न्यमीलयत कालज्ञा नेत्रे चाश्रुकलाकुले ॥
एवं वध्वाः प्रतीक्षन्त्या गोविन्दागमनं नृप । वाम ऊरुर्भुजो नेत्रमस्फुरन् प्रियभाषिणः ॥
अथ कृष्णविनिर्दिष्टः स एव द्विजसत्तमः । अन्तःपुरचरीं देवीं राजपुत्रीं ददर्श ह ॥
सा तं प्रहृष्टवदनमव्यग्रात्मगतिं सती ।आलक्ष्य लक्षणाभिज्ञा समपृच्छच्छुचिस्मिता ॥
तस्या आवेदयत्प्राप्तं शशंस यदुनन्दनम् । उक्तं च सत्यवचनमात्मोपनयनं प्रति ॥
तमागतं समाज्ञाय वैदर्भी हृष्टमानसा । न पश्यन्ती ब्राह्मणाय प्रियमन्यन्ननाम सा ॥
T: Princess Rukmini, the lovely daughter of King Bhishmaka, anxiously awaited the arrival of Sri Krishna, but she did not see the Brahmin also return. Full of anxiety, she thought, "Alas, my wedding will be conducted tonight. How unlucky am I, Sri Krishna hasn’t come yet! No sign of my Brahmin emissary, either. Perhaps Sri Krishna was willing but saw some lacuna in me and therefore has not come to take my hand."
"I think Brahma is against me. Even the great Lord Shiva, and Devi Parvati, seem not well disposed towards me. I am lost!"
As she thought in this way, the young maiden, whose mind had been stolen by Sri Krishna, closed her tear-filled eyes, realising that there was still time. Just then, Rukmini felt many auspicious omens -a twitch in her left thigh, arm and eye. This was a sign that something favourable would happen.
Just then, the Brahmin emissary, most learned, returned. He entered the inner chamber of the palace to meet Rukmini. She noted instantly his cheerful countenance and serenity. She could expertly read his body language. She smiled. The Brahmin said simply, “Sri Krishna is already here. He wants to marry you.” Rukmini was ecstatic. She had nothing ready at hand. She simply bowed down to the Brahmin in gratitude.
प्राप्तौ श्रुत्वा स्वदुहितुरुद्वाहप्रेक्षणोत्सुकौ । अभ्ययात्तूर्यघोषेण रामकृष्णौ समर्हणैः ॥
मधुपर्कमुपानीय वासांसि विरजांसि सः । उपायनान्यभीष्टानि विधिवत्समपूजयत् ॥
तयोर्निवेशनं श्रीमदुपाकल्प्य महामतिः । ससैन्ययोः सानुगयोरातिथ्यं विदधे यथा ॥
एवं राज्ञां समेतानां यथावीर्यं यथावयः । यथाबलं यथावित्तं सर्वैः कामैः समर्हयत् ॥
कृष्णमागतमाकर्ण्य विदर्भपुरवासिनः । आगत्य नेत्राञ्जलिभिः पपुस्तन्मुखपङ्कजम् ॥
अस्यैव भार्या भवितुं रुक्मिण्यर्हति नापरा ।
असावप्यनवद्यात्मा भैष्म्याः समुचितः पतिः ॥
T: The King, upon hearing that Sri Krishna and Balarama had also arrived and were eager to witness his daughter’s wedding, went forth with abundant offerings to greet them as music resounded. He received them with offerings of honey, clothes and so on as per custom. He also had them accommodated very well along with their army. Thus, Bhishmaka did not let any shortcomings occur in his reception of all the kings and nobles with their armies who had arrived for the wedding.
Just then, the residents of Vidarbha heard that Sri Krishna had come. They all went to see him. It appeared they had cupped their eyes with their hands to drink him in. They spoke as if in one voice: "Rukmini alone deserves to be the queen of Sri Krishna. He is also so perfect in his handsomeness that he alone is suitable to wed our Rukmini!"
किञ्चित्सुचरितं यन्नस्तेन तुष्टस्त्रिलोककृत् ।
अनुगृह्णातु गृह्णातु वैदर्भ्याः पाणिमच्युतः ॥
एवं प्रेमकलाबद्धा वदन्ति स्म पुरौकसः ।
कन्या चान्तःपुरात्प्रागाद्भटैर्गुप्ताम्बिकालयम् ॥
T:" Sri Krishna is the Creator of the three worlds. May this Achyuta (literally the infallible) wed our princess Rukmini in case He is satisfied with our past deeds in line with Dharma and is compassionate."
Amidst all such chatter, Rukmini, protected by the love of the citizens and physically by the armed guards, proceeded from the inner chamber to visit the temple of Goddess Ambika Parvati.
पद्भ्यां विनिर्ययौ द्रष्टुं भवान्याः पादपल्लवम् । सा चानुध्यायती सम्यङ्मुकुन्दचरणाम्बुजम् ॥
यतवाङ्मातृभिः सार्धं सखीभिः परिवारिता । गुप्ता राजभटैः शूरैः सन्नद्धैरुद्यतायुधैः ।
मृदङ्गशङ्खपणवास्तूर्यभेर्यश्च जघ्निरे ॥
नानोपहारबलिभिर्वारमुख्याः सहस्रशः । स्रग्गन्धवस्त्राभरणैर्द्विजपत्न्यः स्वलङ्कृताः ॥
गायन्तश्च स्तुवन्तश्च गायका वाद्यवादकाः । परिवार्य वधूं जग्मुः सूतमागधवन्दिनः ॥
आसाद्य देवीसदनं धौतपादकराम्बुजा । उपस्पृश्य शुचिः शान्ता प्रविवेशाम्बिकान्तिकम् ॥
तां वै प्रवयसो बालां विधिज्ञा विप्रयोषितः । भवानीं वन्दयाञ्चक्रुर्भवपत्नीं भवान्विताम् ॥
नमस्ये त्वाम्बिकेऽभीक्ष्णं स्वसन्तानयुतां शिवाम् । भूयात्पतिर्मे भगवान् कृष्णस्तदनुमोदताम् ॥
अद्भिर्गन्धाक्षतैर्धूपैर्वासःस्रङ्माल्यभूषणैः । नानोपहारबलिभिः प्रदीपावलिभिः पृथक् ॥
विप्रस्त्रियः पतिमतीस्तथा तैः समपूजयत् । लवणापूपताम्बूलकण्ठसूत्रफलेक्षुभिः ॥
तस्यै स्त्रियस्ताः प्रददुः शेषां युयुजुराशिषः । ताभ्यो देव्यै नमश्चक्रे शेषां च जगृहे वधूः ॥
मुनिव्रतमथ त्यक्त्वा निश्चक्रामाम्बिकागृहात् । प्रगृह्य पाणिना भृत्यां रत्नमुद्रोपशोभिना ॥
तां देवमायामिव वीरमोहिनीं सुमध्यमां कुण्डलमण्डिताननाम् ।
श्यामां नितम्बार्पितरत्नमेखलां व्यञ्जत्स्तनीं कुन्तलशङ्कितेक्षणाम् ॥
शुचिस्मितां बिम्बफलाधरद्युति शोणायमानद्विजकुन्दकुड्मलाम् ।
पदा चलन्तीं कलहंसगामिनीं शिञ्जत्कलानूपुरधामशोभिना ।
विलोक्य वीरा मुमुहुः समागता यशस्विनस्तत्कृतहृच्छयार्दिताः ॥
यां वीक्ष्य ते नृपतयस्तदुदारहासव्रीडावलोकहृतचेतस उज्झितास्त्राः ।
पेतुः क्षितौ गजरथाश्वगता विमूढा यात्राच्छलेन हरयेऽर्पयतीं स्वशोभाम् ॥
सैवं शनैश्चलयती चलपद्मकोशौ प्राप्तिं तदा भगवतः प्रसमीक्षमाणा ।
उत्सार्य वामकरजैरलकानपाङ्गैः प्राप्तान् ह्रियैक्षत नृपान् ददृशेऽच्युतं सा ॥
तां राजकन्यां रथमारुरुक्षतीं जहार कृष्णो द्विषतां समीक्षताम् ।
रथं समारोप्य सुपर्णलक्षणं राजन्यचक्रं परिभूय माधवः ॥
ततो ययौ रामपुरोगमैः शनैः शृगालमध्यादिव भागहृद्धरिः ॥
तं मानिनः स्वाभिभवं यशःक्षयं परे जरासन्धमुखा न सेहिरे ।
अहो धिगस्मान्यश आत्तधन्वनां गोपैर्हृतं केसरिणां मृगैरिव ॥
T: In the midst of musical chants and the sounding of conches, bugles and drums, Rukmini proceeded on foot towards the Devi temple with the ladies of the palace including her mothers, surrounded by armed guards. She had only one prayer on her mind… to Sri Krishna. The retinue behind Rukmini was long and everyone carried offerings to the Deity, singing and reciting prayers and bearing gifts of garlands, scents, clothing and jewellery. There were also professional singers, musicians, bards, chroniclers and heralds. Upon reaching the Devi temple, Rukmini first washed her tender lotus-like feet and hands and then sipped water for purification. Thus sanctified and peaceful, she came into the presence of Mother Ambika Bhavani Parvati.
The older wives of Brahmins, experts in the knowledge of rituals, led young Rukmini in offering respects to Bhavani, who appeared with her consort, Lord Shiva himself.
Rukmini prayed: “Oh, Mother Ambika, wife of Lord Shiva, I repeatedly offer my obeisances unto you, together with your children. May Sri Krishna become my husband. Please grant this!”
Rukmini worshipped the goddess with water, scents, whole grains, incense, clothing, garlands, necklaces, jewellery and other prescribed offerings and gifts, and also Nirajana or the waving of lamps.
The Brahmin women led the prayers by offering in proper sequence savouries and cakes, prepared betel nuts, sacred threads, fruit and sugarcane juice. The ladies gave the bride the remnants of the offerings and then blessed her. She bowed down to them and the Deity and accepted the Prasada.
The princess then broke her vow of silence as her ritual had been well completed. She left the Devi temple holding on to a maidservant with her hand, sporting a jewelled ring.
Now something strange happened. It appeared as if all the kings who had come to the ceremony, immediately after seeing Princess Rukmini, went into a trance. They were enchanted by Bhagavan’s Maha Maya in the form of Rukmini! Indeed, her power overwhelms even the sober and the grave. Thus the kings gazed upon her virgin beauty, her shapely waist, and her lovely face adorned with earrings. Her hips were graced with a jewel-studded belt, her figure was just budding into the appearance of a full-grown woman. She constantly swept away the tender locks of hair coming over her eyes. She smiled sweetly, her jasmine-bud teeth reflecting the glow of her bimba-red lips. As she walked with the motions of a royal swan, the effulgence of her tinkling ankle bells beautified her feet.
Seeing her, the assembled heroes were totally bewildered. Lust tore at their hearts. Indeed, when the kings saw her broad smile and shy glance, they became stupefied, dropped their weapons and fell unconscious to the ground from their elephants, chariots and horses. We should understand that the full radiance of Princess Rukmini’s charm was directed during the trip to the temple towards Sri Krishna alone. She was anxious for Sri Krishna to come and take her away. She moved with tender lotus feet slowly, looking from the corners of her eyes.
At that moment, she saw Sri Krishna. Then, while his enemies looked on in a daze, the Lord seized the princess, who was eager to mount his chariot. Lifting the princess onto his chariot whose flag bore the emblem of Garuda, Lord Madhava pushed through the lineup of kings. With Balarama in the lead, hee slowly exited, like a lion removing his prey from the midst of jackals.
Suddenly, it seemed that all the kings inimical to Sri Krishna, led by Jarāsandha, realised that they had been foiled again. They could not tolerate this humiliating defeat. They exclaimed, “Oh, damn us! Though we are mighty archers, mere cowherds have stolen our honour, just as puny animals might steal the honour of lions!”
