Source
Texts:
Rukminî's
Message to Lord Krishna
Text
1
S'rî
S'uka said: 'The Descendant of Yadu [Krishna] then
hearing the confidential message of the princes of Vidarbha,
took the hand of the messenger into His and said smiling the
following.
S'ukadeva
Gosvâmî said: Thus hearing the confidential
message of Princess Vaidarbhî, Lord Yadunandana took
the brâhmana's hand and, smiling, spoke to him as
follows.
Text
2
The
Supreme Lord said: 'I also am the same way in My mind fixed on
her and cannot sleep at night; I know that Rukmî in his
enmity is against Me for a marriage.
The
Supreme Lord said: Just as Rukminî's mind is fixed on
Me, My mind is fixed on her. I can't even sleep at night. I
know that Rukmî, out of envy, has forbidden our
marriage.
Text
3
I'll
bring her, that indisputable beauty deeming Me the best, over
here and crush in battle that half-breed royalty, like one gets
the flames of setting wood afire!'
She
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.
Text
4
S'rî
S'uka said: 'And known with the exact time of Rukminî's
marriage told Madhusûdana His charioteer: 'Dâruka,
immediately get the chariot ready'.
S'ukadeva
Gosvâmî said: Lord Madhusûdana also
understood the exact lunar time for Rukminî's wedding.
Thus He told His driver, "Dâruka, ready My chariot
immediately."
Text
5
He accordingly
bringing the chariot with the horses
named
S'aibya,
Sugrîva, Meghapushpa and Balâhaka
[*],
next stood in front with folded palms.
Dâruka
brought the Lord's chariot, yoked with the horses named
S'aibya, Sugrîva, Meghapushpa and Balâhaka. He
then stood before Lord Krishna with joined palms.
Text
6
S'auri
together with the brahmin mounting His chariot drove swiftly
with His horses in a single night to the Vidarbha
kingdom.
Lord
S'auri mounted His chariot and had the brâhmana do
likewise. Then the Lord's swift horses took them from the
Ânarta district to Vidarbha in a single night.
Text
7
King
Bhîshmaka in affection, answering to the wishes of his
son [Rukmi], ready to give his daughter away to
S'is'upâla, saw to it that the required duties were
performed.
King
Bhîshmaka, the master of Kundina, having succumbed to
the sway of affection for his son, was about to give his
daughter to S'is'upâla. The King saw to all the
required preparations.
Text
8-9:
The
city thoroughly cleansed and with its avenues, streets and
intersections abundantly sprinkled with water, was decorated
with banners on flagpoles and with archways. With their homes
aromatic of aguru arrayed the women and men of the city in
spotless clothing, hung with jewels, fragrant and decorated
with flowers and other ornaments.
The
king had the main avenues, commercial roads and
intersections thoroughly cleaned and then sprinkled with
water, and he also had the city decorated with triumphant
archways and multicolored 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 jeweled ornaments, and their opulent
homes were filled with the aroma of aguru.
Text
10
To
the rules correctly worshiping the forefathers and the
demigods, o King, and feeding the scholars as was proper, had
he [Bhîshmaka]
chanted
auspicious mantras.
O
King, in accordance with prescribed rituals,
Mahârâja Bhîshmaka worshiped the
forefathers, demigods and brâhmanas, feeding them all
properly. Then He had the traditional mantras chanted for
the well-being of the bride.
Text
11
The
bride properly bathed and with her teeth washed had her
auspicious marriage-thread put on, as also a brand-new set of
clothes and an adornment of the most excellent
jewels.
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 and adorned with most
excellent jeweled ornaments.
Text
12
For
the protection of the bride were, by the best of the twiceborn,
mantras chanted from the Sâma, Rig and Yajur Veda and
poured the priest expert in the Atharva mantras justly
oblations of ghee for the peace of the ruling
planets.
The
best of brâhmanas chanted mantras of the Rig,
Sâma and Yajur Vedas for the bride's protection, and
the priest learned in the Atharva Veda offered oblations to
pacify the controlling planets.
Text
13
As
the best of the ones known with the vidhi
donated the king gold, silver, clothing and sesame seeds mixed
with raw sugar to the brahmins.
Outstanding
in his knowledge of regulative principles, the King rewarded
the brâhmanas with gold, silver, clothing, cows and
sesame seeds mixed with raw sugar.
Text
14
The same way
had the lord of Cedi, king Damaghosha, for his son [the
bridegroom] indeed by the knowers of the mantras everything
done conducive to his prosperity.
Râjâ
Damaghosha, lord of Cedi, had also engaged brâhmanas
expert in chanting mantras to perform all rituals necessary
to assure his son's prosperity.
Text
15
He traveled to
Kundina [Bhîshmaka's capital] accompanied by
hordes of elephants dripping of the mada and arrays of golden
chariots decorated with garlands and crowded by armies of foot
soldiers and horses.
King
Damaghosha traveled to Kundina accompanied by armies of
elephants exuding mada, chariots hung with golden chains,
and numerous cavalry and infantry soldiers.
Text
16
The
master of Vidarbha part of the way meeting him with pleasure
settled him honorably in a specially constructed place to
stay.
Bhîshmaka,
the lord of Vidarbha, came out of the city and met King
Damaghosha, offering him tokens of respect. Bhîshmaka
then settled Damaghosha in a residence especially
constructed for the occasion.
Text
17
S'âlva,
Jarâsandha, Dantavakra and Vidûratha taking to the
side of S'is'upâla, came along with Paundraka and
thousands of
others.
S'is'upâla's
supporters - S'âlva, Jarâsandha, Dantavakra and
Vidûratha - all came, along with Paundraka and
thousands of other kings.
Text
18-19
Those inimical
towards Krishna and Râma were thus prepared: 'In order to
secure the bride for S'is'upâla will we, should Krishna
accompanied by Râma and other Yadus come to steal her,
join to fight Him together', and thus decided had all the kings
come complete with a transport of their forces.
To
secure the bride for S'is'upâla, the kings who envied
Krishna and Balarâma came to the following decision
among themselves: "If Krishna comes here with Balarâma
and the other Yadus to steal the bride, we shall band
together and fight Him." Thus those envious kings went to
the wedding with their entire armies and a full complement
of military conveyances.
Text
20-21
When Lord
Balarâma heard of these hostile preparations of the kings
and that Krishna had set off alone to steal the bride, went He,
fearing a fight, filled with love for His brother swiftly to
Kundina together with a mighty force of elephants, horses,
chariots and soldiers on foot.
When
Lord Balarâma heard about these preparations of the
inimical kings and how Lord Krishna had set off alone to
steal the bride, He feared that a fight would ensue.
Immersed in affection for His brother, He hurried to Kundina
with a mighty army consisting of infantry and of soldiers
riding on elephants, horses and chariots.
Text
22
The daughter of
Bhîshmaka with her lovely hips awaiting the arrival of
Krishna, not seeing the brahmin return, then
wondered:
The
lovely daughter of Bhîshmaka anxiously awaited the
arrival of Krishna, but when she did not see the
brâhmana return she thought as follows.
Text
23
'Alas, three
yamas [nine hours] are left before I, lacking in
fortune, will marry; the Lotus-eyed One does not come and I
don't know for what reason, nor did as yet return the carrier
of my message.
[Princess
Rukminî thought:] Alas, my wedding is to take
place when the night ends! How unlucky I am! Lotus-eyed
Krishna does not come. I don't know why. And even the
brâhmana messenger has not yet returned.
Text
24
Perhaps
sees the One Faultless in Mind and Body, prepared as He for
sure originally is, something contemptible in me, not having
come to take my hand.
Perhaps
the faultless Lord, even while preparing to come here, saw
something contemptible in me and therefore has not come to
take my hand.
Text
25
How
unfortunate, the creator is not favorably disposed towards me,
nor is the great Lord S'iva, or maybe has Devî his
consort, [known as] Gaurî, Rudrânî,
Girijâ or Satî turned against me.'
I
am extremely unfortunate, for the creator is not favorably
disposed toward me, nor is the great Lord S'iva. Or perhaps
S'iva's wife, Devî, who is known as Gaurî,
Rudrânî, Girijâ and Satî, has turned
against me.
Text
26
Ruminating thus
did the young girl, whose mind had been stolen by Krishna,
close her eyes brimming with tears, knowing the time [that
was left].
As
she thought in this way, the young maiden, whose mind had
been stolen by Krishna, closed her tear-filled eyes,
remembering that there was still time.
Text
27
As the bride
was thus awaiting Govinda's arrival, o King, twitched her left
thigh, arm and eye foretelling something
desirable.
O
King, as the bride thus awaited the arrival of Govinda, she
felt a twitch in her left thigh, arm and eye. This was a
sign that something desirable would happen.
Text
28
Just then came
that purest of the twiceborn to the command of Krishna, to see
the divine daughter of the king staying in the inner chambers
of the palace.
Just
then the purest of learned brâhmanas, following
Krishna's order, came to see the divine Princess
Rukminî within the inner chambers of the
palace.
Text
29
Noticing
his joyful face and the relaxed movements of his body did she,
as an expert in the signs, inquire with a pure
smile.
Noting
the brâhmana's joyful face and serene movements,
saintly Rukminî, who could expertly interpret such
symptoms, inquired from him with a pure smile.
Text
30
He
told her of the arrival of that Child of the Yadus and related
the words He had said in assurance of Him getting married to
her.
The
brâhmana announced to her the arrival of Lord
Yadunandana and relayed the Lord's promise to marry
her.
Text
31
Concluding
that He had arrived, gladdened the mind of Vaidarbhî,
upon which she knew nothing but to bow down to the dear
brahmin.
Princess
Vaidarbhî was overjoyed to learn of Krishna's arrival.
Not finding anything at hand suitable to offer the
brâhmana, she simply bowed down to him.
Text
32
Hearing
that He, eager to witness his daughter's marriage, had arrived
came he [king Bhîshmaka] resounding instruments
with abundant offerings to Râma and
Krishna.
The
King, upon hearing that Krishna and Balarâma had come
and were eager to witness his daughter's wedding, went forth
with abundant offerings to greet Them as music
resounded.
Text
33
As
prescribed performed he worship with desirables as honey-milk
[madhu-parka] and brought he new
clothes.
Presenting
Them with madhu-parka, new clothing and other desirable
gifts, he worshiped Them according to standard
rituals.
Text
34
Generously
arranging for an opulent place to stay afforded he Them,
together with their soldiers and associates, proper
hospitality.
Generous
King Bhîshmaka arranged opulent accommodations for the
two Lords, and also for Their army and entourage. In this
way he afforded Them proper hospitality.
Text
35
Thus was he
according each his power, age, strength and wealth with all
that was wanted of respect for the kings who had
assembled.
Thus
it was that Bhîshmaka gave all desirable things to the
kings who had assembled for the occasion, honoring them as
befitted their political power, age, physical prowess and
wealth.
Text
36
The
residents of Vidarbha-pura hearing that Krishna had come, all
came to drink in His lotus face with the cupped palms of their
eyes [and said]:
When
the residents of Vidarbha-pura heard that Lord Krishna had
come, they all went to see Him. With the cupped palms of
their eyes they drank the honey of His lotus face.
Text
37
'He,
whose body is just as flawless, alone deserves Rukminî as
a wife, and no one else; He's the most suitable husband for
princess Bhaishmî!
[The
people of the city said:] Rukminî, and no one
else, deserves to become His wife, and He also, possessing
such flawless beauty, is the only suitable husband for
Princess Bhaishmî.
Text
38
May,
with whatever of all our good deeds, the Creator of the Three
Worlds be as merciful, that Acyuta takes the hand of
Rukminî.'
May
Acyuta, the creator of the three worlds, be satisfied with
whatever pious work we may have done and show His mercy by
taking the hand of Vaidarbhî.
Text
39
Thus
overflowing with love spoke the citizens in fascination and
left the bride protected by guards the inner palace for the
temple of Ambikâ [see also 10.52:
42].
Bound
by their swelling love, the city's residents spoke in this
way. Then the bride, protected by guards, left the inner
palace to visit the temple of Ambikâ.
Text
40-41
And
she, going out on foot to see the lotuspetal feet of
Bhavânî, kept, totally absorbed in mediating
Krishna's lotus feet, silent in de midst of her mothers and
female companions. Guarded by the valiant, armed soldiers of
the king, ready with their weapons raised, were cymbals and
mridangas, conchshells, horns and other wind instruments
played.
Rukminî
silently went out on foot to see the lotus feet of the deity
Bhavânî. Accompanied by her mothers and
girlfriends and protected by the King's valiant soldiers,
who held their upraised weapons at the ready, she simply
absorbed her mind in the lotus feet of Krishna. And all the
while mridangas, conchshells, panavas, horns and other
instruments resounded.
Text
42-43
Accompanying
the bride were there the wives of the twice-born, well
ornamented, thousands of prominent chosen ones with various
items of worship and presents, flowergarlands, fragrances,
clothing and jewelry; singers singing and offering prayers,
musicians as also bards, chroniclers and
heralds.
Behind
the bride followed thousands of prominent courtesans bearing
various offerings and presents, along with well-adorned
brâhmanas' wives singing and reciting prayers and
bearing gifts of garlands, scents, clothing and jewelry.
There were also professional singers, musicians, bards,
chroniclers and heralds.
Text
44
Reaching
the temple of the goddess washed she her feet and lotuslike
hands, sipped she water for purification and entered she the
presence of Ambikâ sanctified and
peaceful.
Upon
reaching the goddess's temple, Rukminî first washed
her lotus feet and hands and then sipped water for
purification. Thus sanctified and peaceful, she came into
the presence of mother Ambikâ.
Text
45
The
indeed young girl was by the elderly wives of the learned, well
known with the injunctions, led in offering respects to
Bhavânî the wife of S'iva there together with Bhava
[his
other name]:
The
older wives of brâhmanas, expert in the knowledge of
rituals, led young Rukminî in offering respects to
Bhavânî, who appeared with her consort, Lord
Bhava.
Text
46
'I
along with your children repeatedly offer my obeisances to you
o Ambikâ, please allow Krishna the Supreme Lord to be my
husband.'
[Princess
Rukminî prayed:] O mother Ambikâ, wife of
Lord Siva, I repeatedly offer my obeisances unto you,
together with your children. May Lord Krishna become my
husband. Please grant this!
Text
47-48
With
various offerings and gifts of water, fragrant substances,
whole grains, incense, clothing, garlands, necklaces, ornaments
and an array of lamps, performed each of the brahmin ladies
equipped with these articles as also with savories, cakes,
prepared betel nut, sacred threads, fruits and sugar cane,
worship.
Rukminî
worshiped the goddess with water, scents, whole grains,
incense, clothing, garlands, necklaces, jewelry and other
prescribed offerings and gifts, and also with arrays of
lamps. The married brâhmana women each performed
worship simultaneously with the same items, also offering
savories and cakes, prepared betel nut, sacred threads,
fruit and sugar- cane juice.
Text
49
After
they gave her the remnants and their blessings bowed the bride
down to them and to the deity and accepted she the
remnants,
The
ladies gave the bride the remnants of the offerings and then
blessed her. She in turn bowed down to them and the deity
and accepted the remnants as prasâdam.
Text
50
Then,
ending her vow of silence, left she the temple of Ambikâ,
with her hand beautified by a jeweled ring holding on to a
maidservant.
The
princess then gave up her vow of silence and left the
Ambikâ temple, holding on to a maidservant with her
hand, which was adorned with a jeweled ring.
Text
51-55
As
if she were the illusory potency
[Mâyâdevî,
zie ook 8.12:
38-40;
10.2***]
of the Lord herself that even bewilders the sober ones, became,
with seeing her earrings decorating the virginal beauty of her
face, the jewel-studded belt around her hips, her budding
breasts, her eyes shy to the locks of her hair, her pure smile
and teeth reddened by the glow from her bimba lips, her
jasmine-bud feet walking, her gait gracious as a royal swan and
the tinkling of her skillfully fashioned anklebells beautifying
[her feet] with their effulgence, the assembled,
respectable heroes entranced and rose with these kings upon the
sight of her broad smiles, shyness and mindboggling glances a
lust of which distressed their hearts were torn apart and their
weapons dropped to the ground. Sitting on their horses,
elephants and chariots they, loosing it, fell down to the
ground as she on the pretext of the procession was offering her
beauty to Lord Hari, slowly walking, putting one before the
other the two whorls of her lotus flowers in eager expectation
of the arrival of the Supreme Personality. Throwing aside her
hair with the nails of her hand saw she, as she coyly looked
from the corners of her eyes at those present, Acyuta and while
His enemies were looking on, seized Krishna the king's daughter
ready to mount the chariot.
Rukminî
appeared as enchanting as the Lord's illusory potency, who
enchants even the sober and 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 breasts were just budding, and her
eyes seemed apprehensive of her encroaching locks of hair.
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. On the
pretext of the procession, Rukminî displayed her
beauty for Krishna alone. Slowly she advanced the two moving
lotus-whorls of her feet, awaiting the arrival of the
Supreme Lord. With the fingernails of her left hand she
pushed some strands of hair away from her face and shyly
looked from the corners of her eyes at the kings standing
before her. At that moment she saw Krishna. Then, while His
enemies looked on, the Lord seized the princess, who was
eager to mount His chariot.
Text
56
Lifting
her onto His chariot marked with [the flag of] Garuda
drove He back the circle of kings and left He, with
Balarâma in front, from there slowly as a lion would
remove a portion from the midst of jackals.
Lifting
the princess onto His chariot, whose flag bore the emblem of
Garuda, Lord Mâdhava drove back the circle of kings.
With Balarâma in the lead, He slowly exited, like a
lion removing his prey from the midst of jackals.
Text
57
The
adversaries headed by Jarâsandha, conceited as they were,
could with their honor ruined not bear the defeat: 'Damned are
we, the honor of the archers, with those cowherds stealing like
a bunch of puny animals from us lions!'
The
kings inimical to the Lord, headed by Jarâsandha,
could not tolerate this humiliating defeat. They exclaimed,
"Oh, damn us! Though we are mighty archers, mere cowherds
have stolen our honor, just as puny animals might steal the
honor of lions!"
*
S'rîla Vis'vanâtha Cakravartî quotes the
following text of the Padma Purâna describing Lord
Krishna's chariot horses: "S'aibya was green like a parrot's
wings, Sugrîva yellow-gold, Meghapushpa the color of a
cloud, and Balâhaka whitish."
