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----- bhagap320.html
King Bhishmaka of Vidarbha had five sons, Rukmin, Rukma-
ratha, Rukma-vahu, Rukma-kesa, and Rukma-malin. He had also
one daughter Rukmini. (Rukina means bright, radiant, also gold).
Krishna and Rukmini had heard of each other and they made
a vow of marriage. Rukmin however betrothed his sister to Sisu-
pala, son of the king of Chedi. Rukmini secretly sent a Brahmana
messenger to Krishna and gave him a letter. The Brahmana was
received well by Krishna. He read out the following letter of
Rukmini.
"O Achyuta, thou most lovely of all, my mind has forced
through all false shame and has become attached to thee, for I have
heard of thy excellences, which reach the ear only to remove all
sufferings and I have heard of thy beauty, which gives all that is
desired to the seer thereof.
Mukunda, O Nrisinha, where is the girl, however wellborn,
modest and great she may be, that will not choose thee as her
husband, unequalled as thou art in birth, grace, beauty, wisdom and
riches, and the most pleasing to all mankind.
Therefore thou art chosen by me as my husband. I offer
myself up to thee. Come thou here and make me thy wife. Thou
dost deserve to have me soon. Let not Sisupala touch me, like a
jackal touching the share of a lion.
If I have done virtuous acts, if I have rightly served the
great Lord Siva, then come, O brother of Rama, and hold my hand
and let not others do so. The day after to-morrow is fixed for my
marriage. Come thou unnoticed. Defeat Sisupala and others and
carry me away by force in the Rakshasa form of marriage.
I shall tell you how it will not be necessary to kill my friends
within the house. The day before the marriage there will be a large
gathering outside the town to worship the goddess Durga, and I as
bride shall be present there."
The message was thus delivered. Sri Krishna vowed to
marry Rukmini by force. He ordered Daruka (His charioteer) to
bring the chariot. Then he took the Brahmana with him and reached
Kundina, the town of Bhishmaka, in one day.
Kundina was gay with preparations for the marriage. Dama
Ghosa, the father of Sisupala, also made grand preparations. He
came with a large retinue to Kundina. Bhishmaka went out to re-
ceive him, and led him to his quarters. Salva, Jarasandha, Danta-
vakra, Viduratha, Paundraka, and many other kings, friendly to
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