Rukmini Devi

RUKMINI DEVItc "R U K M I N I D E V I"

Sitting on the lap of her dear father, as a little girl of thirteen, Rukmini listened to the heroic deeds of Lord Krishna, with rapt attention and deep admiration.

The NARRATION was by Sage NARADA and it was in the form of devotional songs.  Other listeners were pious courtiers of her father and pet animals and birds in her courtyard.
Brooding over the details, again and again with interest, for long, her mind got riveted on Lord Krishna.

She started to realise soon, that she loved Him, and none else.  She told her father in confidence (and in whispers) that she wanted to marry Him and Him only.

Her dear father consented first.  But her brother Rukmi was opposed to the idea because he proposed her marriage with Sisupala, the mighty King with great earthly possessions.  The groom-select accepted the proposal, which pierced her heart like an arrow.  As her father yielded to her brother’s intentions she was left helpless and hopeless.

The grand marriage was fixed and the auspicious day was approaching fast.  Wounded to the depth, the majesty of her SOUL came forth spontaneously and she penned a letter with a single but ingenious letter with a message of love and devotion.  The letter was sent to Lord Krishna at Dwaraka through an old brahmin.

The message reads as under:
I submit my heart and soul  at your feet.              
I love you only. 
I can not live without you.
I do not know your mind!

I am immature and tradition bound.
I am meek and helpless.
I am prepared to leave every one of my family
To seek your hand!

I do not know if it is right or wrong.
I am in utter confusion and tension.
I pray to you to accept my hand in marriage.
I think of a solution to achieve it fast! To seek your hand !

“Carry me off, while I return
From Parvati temple,
Marry me bravely, by force,
In ‘Rakshas Style’.
Take the hints from my messenger.
Save me from the serious crisis.

“I fully surrender to you
With utmost devotion.
I look forward eagerly
To our eternal union”.

She waited for the messenger to return with ‘a reply’.
She was all tension and suspense.

At home, marriage preparations were in full swing. There was no sign of the messenger. She was making her own preparations to end her life.

On the D’day, the messenger was sighted at a distance. From the radiance in his eyes, she guessed that his errand was a success.

After hearing the pleasant details from him, she did not know how to reward the poor brahmin messenger.

SHE WASHED HIS FEET WITH GRATEFUL TEARS!

What else did the pious brahmin want except being instrumental for the UNION OF TWO GREAT SOULS!