IN THE COMPANY OF KRISHNA - 18. RUKMI

 

    Rukmi was a prince from Vidarbha and the brother of Rukmini, who loved Lord Krishna. Rukmi didn’t want Rukmini to marry Krishna. Instead, he wanted her to marry Shishupala, a king and Rukmi’s friend. However, Rukmini secretly loved Krishna and sent him a message asking him to rescue her.

    Krishna came and took Rukmini away with her permission. This made Rukmi angry, and he chased after them. He fought Krishna in a fierce duel but lost the battle. Krishna was about to kill Rukmi, but Rukmini begged for her brother’s life. Krishna spared Rukmi but shaved his head as a mark of defeat and humiliation. Krishna then married Rukmini in a village called Madhavpur Ghed.

    Rukmi was a brave and skilled warrior. He had learned powerful weapons from great sages like Parshuram and Druma. After his defeat, Rukmi did not go back to his father’s kingdom. Instead, he founded a new city named Bhojakata. Although he later made peace with Krishna, he was not accepted as an ally in the Kurukshetra war. This was because Rukmi had a proud and boastful nature that others did not trust.

Thus, Rukmi’s story is one of pride, defeat, and redemption.

    The story of Rukmi, Rukmini, and Krishna is primarily found in ancient Sanskrit texts, especially from the Mahabharata, Bhagavata Purana, and Harivamsa Purana. Below are the key sources and references:

Primary Sanskrit Literature Sources:

1. Bhagavata Purana (Śrīmad Bhāgavatam) – Book 10, Canto 52–54
• These chapters detail Rukmini's love for Krishna, her letter to him, the abduction, and the battle with Rukmi.
• Canto 52: Rukmini’s message to Krishna.
• Canto 53: Krishna’s abduction of Rukmini.
• Canto 54: Duel with Rukmi and Krishna’s act of shaving his head.
2. Harivamsa Purana – Harivamsa Parva
• Considered an appendix to the Mahabharata.
• Provides additional details about Rukmi, his defeat, and the political aftermath.
3. Mahabharata – Adi Parva and Sabha Parva
• Mentions Rukmi in the context of political alliances and his exclusion from the Kurukshetra war due to his arrogance.
• Adi Parva (Chapter 67): Mentions Rukmini and her background.
• Sabha Parva (Chapter 14): Krishna’s marriage is recounted during a conversation.

 

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