The story of Rukmini, the devoted wife of Bhagavan Krishna, is a tale of love, determination, and devotion in Hindu scriptures. Each time Bhagavan Vishnu manifested on Earth, his divine consort, Goddess Lakshmi, would also incarnate as his divine spouse. In his incarnation as Bhagavan Sri Krishna, Goddess Lakshmi took form as Rukmini.
Rukmini was the daughter of Bhishmaka, the powerful king of
Vidarbha. From a young age, she was devoted to Bhagavan Sri Krishna, an
incarnation of Bhagavan Vishnu. Knowing that Krishna was her ideal match,
Rukmini fervently desired to be with him as his wife. However, her brother,
Rukmi, vehemently opposed this union.
Undeterred by her brother's opposition, Rukmini decided to
take matters into her own hands. In a daring move, she sent a trusted Brahmana
as her messenger to Krishna, expressing her love and her earnest desire to be
with him. This message reached Krishna, and he understood the depth of
Rukmini's feelings.
On the day of Rukmini's planned wedding with Shishupala, a
powerful but arrogant king, Krishna, with his divine powers, arrived at the
scene. He swiftly abducted Rukmini, rescuing her from the forced marriage. The
two lovers, Krishna and Rukmini, were married amidst the tumultuous events.
Rukmini and Krishna's union was blessed with two children –
a son named Pradyumna and a daughter named Charumati. Pradyumna later played a
significant role in the Mahabharata, and his exploits are well-documented in
the epic.
Despite the joyous moments shared between Rukmini and
Krishna, their story took a tragic turn after Krishna's demise. Following
Krishna's departure from the earthly realm, Rukmini, overwhelmed by grief and
devotion, chose to immolate herself in a symbolic act of self-sacrifice.
The story of Rukmini symbolizes the unwavering devotion and
love between a devotee and the divine. Rukmini's determination to be with
Krishna against all odds, her courage in sending the secret message, and
Krishna's divine intervention highlight the timeless themes of love, faith, and
the triumph of righteousness in Hindu scriptures.