Rukmini

Although born of an earthly king, her position as an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi is described throughout Puranic literature:

• Goddess Lakshmi is forever united with the Lord. With Rama, She becomes Sita, when He is Krishna, she is Rukmini. In all the expansions of Narayan, Lakshmi is inseparable from Narayana. (Vishnu Purana 1.9.144)
• A hero among the Kurus, the Supreme Lord himself, Govinda, married King Bhishmaka's daughter, Vaidarbhi Rukmini, who was a direct expansion of the Goddess of fortune [Sriyo maatraam]. (Bhagavata Purana 10.52.16)
• Dwaraka's citizens were overjoyed to see Krishna, the Lord of all opulence, united with Rukmini, the Goddess of fortune Rama.(SB 10.54.60)
• Lakshmi by Her portion took birth on earth as Rukmini in the family of Bhismaka. (Mahabharata Adi 67.156)
• Having Krsna as her essence, Rukmini is the basis of the material nature (mula-prakrti) and the creator of the universe. Based on the revealed knowledge (sruti) arising from the questions of the women of Vraja and also on account of her being associated with Brahman, Krsna's potency (Rukmini) is identified with pranava by the Brahmavadins.(Gopala Tapani Upanishad)
• The Shrutis which are closely associated with the narrations of the pastimes of the Vraja-gopis with Svayam-rupa Bhagavan Shri Krishna, the Parabrahma, have declared this truth (Gopala-tapani Upanisad 57). They cannot be separated. As Lakshmi is Vishnu's Shakti (power or strength) so even as Rukmini is Krishna's strength.
• Rukmini, the Consort of Krishna is the Swarupa-shakti (Mulaprakriti), the essential potency of Krishna (Krsnatmika) and she is the shakti / Mother of the Divine World (Jagatkatri).
• She was born in Kaundinyapur of Vidarbha (today's Maharashtra) and a royal princess of Vidarbha Kingdom. The daughter of a powerful king Bhishmaka who ruled from Kundinapuri. She is the goddess of love, devotion, courage and mercy. She is called laadli or laadobai in Kaundinyapur.
• The Mishmi people of Arunanchal Pradesh believes that Rukmini-Chief Consort of Lord Krishna belonged to their tribe.[3] The plays and dances on ‘Rukmini Haran’ are common. There is a legend that Lord Krishna asked the Mishmi people to cut their hair as a form of punishment for not allowing him to marry Rukmini. Due to this Idu-Mishmi people are also called "chulikata" (chuli-hair, kata- cut).[4]

19th century painting depicting Rukmini running away with Krishna from a temple of Parvati.

Rukmini was the daughter of Bhishmaka, the king of Vidarbha. Rukmî was the firstborn son. Rukmini was his chaste sister. Bhismaka was the vassal of King Jarasandha of Magadha. She fell in love with and longed for Krishna, whose virtue, character, charm and greatness she had heard much of. In the same way, Shri Krishna also started loving Rukmini in his heart after hearing about her glories. Krishna knowing her to be a repository of intelligence, auspicious marks, magnanimity, beauty, good behaviour and other qualities, likewise considered her a suitable wife and decided to marry her. He also went to attend her swayamvara but Rukmini's eldest brother Rukmi though was a friend of evil King Kansa, who was killed by Krishna and was set against the marriage.

Rukmini's parents wanted to marry Rukmini Krishna but Rukmi, her brother strongly opposed it. Rukmi was an ambitious prince and he did not want to earn the wrath of Emperor Jarasandha, who was ruthless. Instead, he proposed that she be married to his friend Shishupala, the crown prince of Chedi and a cousin of Krishna. Shishupala was also a vassal and close associate of Jarasandha and hence an ally of Rukmi.

Bhishmaka gave in but Rukmini, who had overheard the conversation was horrified and immediately sent for a brahmana, Sunanda, whom she trusted and asked him to deliver a letter to Krishna. She asked Krishna to come to Vidarbha and kidnap her to avoid a battle where her relatives may be killed. She said that he may wonder how will he accomplish this without any bloodshed, considering that she is in the inner apartments of her palace, but the solution to this problem was that she would have to visit the temple of Goddess Girija, who is their family deity. Rukmini asked that he use this occasion to claim her. Krishna, having received the message in Dwarka, said to brahmana, Sunanda that "Just as Rukmini's mind is fixed on Me, My mind is fixed on her. I can't even sleep at night. I know that Rukmi, out of envy, has forbidden our marriage. 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 flameout of firewood. He then immediately set out for Vidarbha with Balarama, his elder brother."

Krishna and Rukmini as groom and bride in a celestial chariot.

Meanwhile, Shishupala was overjoyed at the news from Rukmi that he could simply go to Kundina (present-day Koundanyapur) Amravati district and claim Rukmini. Jarasandha, not so trusting, sent all his vassals and allies along because he felt that Krishna would certainly come to snatch Rukmini away. Meanwhile, at the palace, Rukmini got ready for her upcoming marriage. The brahmana messenger came and informed that Krishna had accepted her request. She went to the temple to offer her obeisances to Goddess Ambika, consort of Lord Shiva. As she stepped out, she saw Krishna and he soon swept her into his chariot with him. They both started to ride off when Shishupala noticed them. All of Jarasandha's forces quickly started chasing them. While Balarama occupied most of them and held them back Rukmi had almost caught up with Krishna and Rukmini. He overtook Krishna near Bhadrod.[5]

Krishna and Rukmi duelled with the inevitable result of Krishna's victory. Rukmi used abusive and offensive words for Rukmini for which Krishna was about to kill him, Rukmini fell at the feet of Krishna and begged that her brother's life be spared. Krishna, generous as always, agreed, but as punishment, shaved Rukmi's head and let him go free.[5] There was no greater shame for a warrior than a visible sign of defeat. Rukmi was worshipped as Gaudera by villagers since he was defeated. He was known as the God of defeat and shame.

According to folklore, Krishna came to the village of Madhavpur Ghed after kidnapping and marrying Rukmini at this very place. In memory of that event, there is a temple built for Madhavrai. A celebration of this event is held at Madhavpur in memory of this marriage every year at a cultural fair. At Dwaraka, Krishna and Rukmini were welcomed with great pomp and ceremony.

The first son of Queen Rukmini was Pradyumna, and also born of her were Charudeshna, Sudesna and the powerful Charudeha, along with Sucharu, Charugupta, Bhadracharu, Charuchandra, Vicharu and Charu, the tenth (SB 10.61.8–9). Of them, Pradyumna was the crown prince of Dwaraka. [1]

Statue of Krishna with Rukmini — who proved her superiority over Satyabhama through her love and devotion

This story is absent in the main scriptures pertaining to Krishna's life. The Tulabharam is an incident in the life of Rukmini, that reveals the extent to which humble devotion is worth more than material wealth. Satyabhama, another queen of Krishna, prides herself on the love Krishna has for her and her grasp over his heart. Rukmini, on the other hand, is a devoted wife, humble in her service of her Lord. Her devotion is her real inner beauty. On one occasion, sage Narada arrived in Dwaraka and in the course of conversation hinted to Satyabhama that the love that Krishna exhibits towards her is not all that real and in fact, it is Rukmini who has real control over his heart. Unable to bear this, Satyabhama challenges Narada to prove it. Narada, with his way with words, tricked her into accepting a Vrata (ritual) where she has to give Krishna away in charity to Narada and reclaim him by giving the weight of Krishna in wealth. Narada lures her into accepting this vrata by telling her that Krishna's love for her will increase many folds if she succeeds in performing this Tulabharam. He also instigates her ego by hinting that her wealth may not be sufficient to equal the weight of Krishna. With Satyabhama's ego duly raised, she tells Narada that she can mobilize so much wealth that it is a child's play for her to outweigh Krishna. Narada warns her that if she is not able to do this, Krishna will become his slave to be done with as he pleases.

The scene is soon set for the vrata. Satyabhama gives Krishna away in charity in spite of the other wives' pleadings. Krishna, always the mischievous cowherd, meekly submits to this drama. After donating Krishna to Narada, Satyabhama arranges for a big scale to be put up and sends with all assurance for her huge treasure of gold and jewelry. All that she has is soon put on the scale, but it doesn't budge. Narada starts taunting her and threatening her that if she can't put enough gold or diamonds, he will be forced to auction Krishna as a slave to someone else. Satyabhama, in frantic panic, swallows her pride and begs all the other wives to give their jewels. They agree out of love for Krishna but alas, it is of no use.

Krishna remains a mute witness to all this drama and rubs salt into the open wounds of Satyabhama's ego that the king of Dwaraka will now become a slave to some rishi and will have to suffer the separation from his dear wife. Narada suggests to Satyabhama that Rukmini may be able to get her out of the predicament. She finally swallows her pride and appeals to the devoted first wife of Krishna. Rukmini comes and with a prayer to her husband puts a single leaf of the sacred Tulasi on the scale (Tula). The scales then become all at once so heavy that even after removing all the jewels, the scales are weighed down on the side of the Tulasi leaf.

While there are different versions in different texts as to why the weighing was arranged, the story of the Tulsi leaf placed by Rukmini being worth more in weight than that of Satyabhama's wealth is a common ending. This story is often repeated to enunciate the significance of Tulsi and how a humble offering to God is greater than any material wealth.[6]

Another well-known incident in Rukmini's married life is when Krishna's childhood friend, Sudama, visited Dwarka. Rukmini welcomed Sudama and gave him food. She and Krishna fanned him as he rested from his long journey. This type of devotion is a characteristic of Rukmini, that was very prevalent.

After the disappearance of Krishna, after the Yadu massacre, Rukmini along with Jambavati and few other ladies ascends herself on a pyre.[7]