Rukmini- Hindu GodDeity"Queen of Dvaraka"
Also known as: Vaidarbhi, रुक्मिणी, and Rukmiṇī
Description
She sent a letter to Krishna through a secret brahmin messenger: come to the temple before my wedding and take me away, or I will end my own life. He came. He swept her onto his chariot before the assembled kings could move, and the princess of Vidarbha became the queen of Dvaraka.
Mythology & Lore
The Letter to Krishna
Rukmini was the daughter of King Bhishmaka of Vidarbha. Her brother Rukmi had arranged her marriage to Shishupala, the king of Chedi and an enemy of Krishna. Rukmini, who had heard of Krishna's virtues and set her heart upon him, secretly sent a brahmin messenger to Dvaraka bearing a letter. She declared her love for Krishna and begged him to come before the wedding. She described the route to the temple of Parvati where she would go to worship on the eve of her marriage, asking him to abduct her from there. If he did not come, she wrote, she would take her own life.
The Abduction
Krishna rode his chariot to Vidarbha immediately. On the day of the wedding, Rukmini went to the temple as planned, surrounded by guards. As she emerged, Krishna swept her onto his chariot and drove away before the assembled kings could move. Rukmi and Shishupala gave chase with their armies. Krishna defeated them in battle, sparing Rukmi's life at Rukmini's request but shaving half his head as a mark of humiliation. They returned to Dvaraka, where they were married.
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