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while the Gunas form the essence of Prakriti. Coming from Prakrit/,
Rukmini must follow the Prakritic elements. And if Krishna wrest-
ed her away from the hands of the material energies of Prakriti
and even from her own prakritic basis (her brothers and father), it was
because the material energies had asserted themselves too much.
This was done in the Seventh Manvantara, when the spiritual ascent
was a Kalpic necessity. Was Rukmini to remain wedded to Krishna
for the remaining period of the Kalpa, or was she to go back to her
brothers and their friends?).
Rukmini replied:
"O Lotus eyed! even so it is as thou sayest. I am quite unlike
thee, the Great Bhagavat. Lord of even Brahma, Vishnu and Siva,
Thou art plunged in Thy own greatness. What am I to Thee, the
Gunas forming my essence? It is only ignorant people who worship
me. (For fear of kings, thou hast taken refuge in the sea.) But the
kings are the Gunas, (Sound, Touch, Form, Taste, and Smell which
compose the object world.) For fear of them, as it were, thou hast
taken refuge in the inner ocean of the heart, and there thou dost
manifest Thyself, as pure Chaitanya. The object-seeking Indriyas
are no doubt thy constant enemies. But when thou speakest of giving
up kingly seats, why even thy votaries give them up, as darkness
itself. The ways of even Munis who worship Thy Lotus feet are
unknown; what of thine own? When their ways are uncommon,
what of thine? Thou art poor indeed, for there is nothing besides
thee, (and so nothing can form Thy wealth.) But thou dost receive
the offerings of others and they seek thee. It is not through ignor-
ance, but knowing that thou art the Atm ?? of the Universe, that
I have sought Thee. The flow of Time that arises from Thy eye-
brow swallows up the desires of even Brahma and others. I did not
even seek them for Thy sake. What speakest thou of others? As
the lion carries away his share by force from other animals, so thou
didst carry me away from amongst the kings. How can I believe
that thou didst take shelter in the Sea from fear of such kings? Anga,
Prithu, Bharata, Yayati, Gaya and other jewels of kings gave up
their kingdoms and sought thee in the forests. Did woe befall them
that thou talkest of woe to me? The Gunas have their resting place
in thee. Thou art the home of Lakshmi. Moksha is at Thy feet.
What foolish woman shall follow others, neglecting Thee? I have
accepted thee, the Lord and soul of the Universe, the giver of all
blessings here and hereafter. Let thy Moksha-giving feet be my
shelter. Let those women have the kings for their husbands, those
asses, bullocks, dogs, cats, and servants who have not heard of Thee.
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