Miscellaneous - Religion   

Rukmini's love for Krishna

CHENNAI: Rukmini was the daughter of the King of Vidarbha. She had five brothers. She was determined to marry none other than Lord Krishna. One would expect that her having five brothers would be advantageous to her when it came to celebrating her marriage. But though she had herself found such an excellent suitor, her brothers were bent on preventing her marriage to Krishna. The five brothers are like our five senses that keep us from making the right choices. But while Rukmini remained steadfast and attained the Lord, we give up the struggle, half way through, slipping back into worldly concerns, said Adur Asuri Madhavachari.

In the Srimad Bhagavatam, it is said Rukmini sends word to Krishna through a trusted Brahmin, who is never mentioned by name. One interpretation is that the messenger must have been Garuda. In the Rama avatara, Rama, pleased with the services of Hanuman, had embraced him. Garuda, wanting to earn for himself an embrace from the Lord, must have gone as Rukmini's messenger. Yet another interpretation is that the messenger must have been Hanuman himself. During Rama's separation from Sita, Hanuman had gone as Rama's messenger to Sita. Now he wants to be the Goddess' messenger to Krishna. Another explanation is that the messenger was Sukha Brahmam. Not wanting to state that he had been Rukmini's messenger, lest that be construed as a sign of boasting, Sukha Brahmam might have refrained from mentioning his own name.

Rukmini addresses the Lord as Narasimha. Andal too talks of Narasimha; the first avatara of the Lord to be mentioned in the Vishnu Sahsranama is that of Narasimha. Narasimha was the One who came at once upon Prahlada's call. So Rukmini is justified in referring to the Narasimha avatara, for She too wants the Lord to arrive immediately and take Her away. She says if Sishupala marries Her, it will be like a cunning fox eating the food meant for a majestic lion. She surrenders to Him in the knowledge that He will never abandon those who place their trust in Him. Even as She awaits Him, She detects the fragrance of tulsi leaves and guesses that He is nearby. The Lord takes Rukmini away and marries Her.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Cartoonscape
The Hindu Crossword 10122
Solution to puzzle 10121
Rukmini's love for Krishna
dated April 7, 1961: Farraka Project
dated April 7, 1961: Distribution of foodgrains
dated April 7, 1961: Gandhi memorial at Dandi
Weather

Copyright © 2011, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu