The Story of marriage of Rukmani and Shri Krishna

The Story of marriage of Rukmani and Shri Krishna
The King Bhishmak of Vidarbha had five sons and one daughter. Eldest son was Rukmi and daughter’s name was Rukmani. Name of their mother was Shudhmati (pure mind). Rukmani was incarnation of Lakshmi.
 
Bhishmak desired that Rukmani should marry Shri Krishna but Rukmi was in favour of her marriage with Shishupal. When Rukmani knew about brother’s desire, she felt distressed. Rukmi asked Shishupal to bring wedding procession. Shishupal reached with wedding procession. During Ganapati worship, Shishupal’s attention was only on the beauty of Rukmani.
 
Rukmani said to Sudev, a Brahmin who used to come in Antahpur of Shudhmati that she wanted to marry with Shri Krishna. She asked Sudev to hand over her letter to Shri Krishna. Rukmani wrote Shri Krishna, “she is desireless and without any disorder”. Sudev went to Dwarka and handed over the letter to Shri Krishna. Shri Krishna read the letter. She had written seven verses relating to seven marriage steps. She praised the six attributes of Shri Krishna viz. Dharma, Aishvarya, Yash, Shri, Gyan and vairagya (Righteousness, power or supremacy, fame, prosperity, wisdom and renunciation). She addressed her letter saying “not the world; creator of the world is beautiful”. She wrote Shri Krishna, “his beauty & attributes have fascinated her; she did not want to marry lustful person; she has regularly done good deeds; she has done fasts; donated clothes & grains to poor; she would bring divine wealth; she surrenders to his feet; accept me otherwise she would sacrifice her life”. She further wrote Shri Krishna, “she goes Parvati temple every day for worship and he should abduct her from there”.
 
Shri Krishna reached Vidarbha overnight. Vidarbha people were overjoyed to see Shri Krishna. They said, “Shri Krishna is the right choice for Rukmani”. Sudev informed Rukmani that he has brought Shri Krishna and he has accepted her. Rukmani asked Sudev, “What service she can do for him”. Sudev said, “He does not expect anything”.
 
Meanwhile, Shishupal along with Jarasandh & other kings reached there. When he heard about arrival of Shri Krishna, he was terrified. He told Jarasandh, “He might take away his wife”. Jarasandh consoled Shishupal and assured that they would fight on his behalf in case of need. Rukmi told that he has made such an arrangement that not even bird could reach near his sister. When she would go to Parvati temple, sixteen girls would encircle her and many wrestlers would also accompany them. Hearing this, Shishupal calmed down.
 
After dressing up, Rukmani worshipped her parents and Tulsi (holy basil). Her mother asked her to go to Parvati temple on foot as she would be marrying. Rukmani greeted her mother again as she knew that she would not return home.
 
Rukmani was worshipping Parvati mata but infact she was viewing Dwarkadheesh (Shri Krishna) in idol. She sought blessings from Parvati mata that she could marry Shri Krishna. Parvati ji blessed her that her desire should be fulfilled. After worship, when she was coming down slowly from the temple, the kings were praising her beauty lustfully. Rukmani glanced on them which fainted away all of them.
 
Shri Krishna asked Daruk to take chariot forward. Rukmani was joyful to see Garud flag of Shri Krishna’s chariot. Shri Krishna caught hand of Rukmani and pulled up her and made to sit in chariot. Chariot proceeded in the direction of Dwarka. When the fainted king improved, they came to know that Shri Krishna has abducted Rukmani. Shishupal started weeping. Jarasandh & other kings asked him to calm down. Then Shishupal, Jarasandh, Dantvark & all other kings got angry, rode on their vehicles wearing armor and ran after Shri Krishna.
 
When Shri Krishna did not reach home till evening, Balrama was worried. After enquiry, he came to know the reason. Balrama immediately reached Vidarbha with army and dispersed the army of Shishupal, Jarasandh, Dantvark & other kings. All kings except Shishupal ran away. Shishupal kept weeping but did not fight. Rukmi came to fight with Shri Krishna. Shri Krishna tied him with one pillar. Rukmani requested him to leave her brother. Balrama said, “Rukmi is now your brother in law”. Hence, leave him. Shri Krishna untied Rukmi and let him go.
 
Shri Krishna sent a letter through Uddhav requesting Nand Baba to join his marriage ceremony. Nand Baba decided not to go to Dwarka as Kanhiya has not come to Gokul. Hearing this, Shri Krishna came to Gokul and asked Yashodha ma to come to Dwarka for his marriage. Otherwise, he would not marry. Nand baba, Yashodha, Gopis and other Braj people reached Dwarka. King Bhishmak also came there. But due to curse of Durvasa rishi, Bhishmak was not able to stay in Dwarka. Hence, marriage of Shri Krishna and Rukmani was solmanised in Madhavpur.
 
Spiritual Significance:

1. Ordinary person marry under influence of sexual desire. Shri Krishna was Gopal. Gopal means controller of sense organs. The marriage of Shri Krishna and Rukmani was marriage of Jivatma and Parmatama.
2. One who surrenders to the almighty, almighty adopts him.
3. The beauty of world is only a minute part of beauty of creator.

Source: Shrimad Bhagwat Mahapuran by Shri Ramchandra Keshav Dongra ji Maharaj