In the ancient and prosperous kingdom of Vidarbha, there lived a princess of exceptional beauty, grace, and intellect named Rukmini. She was the daughter of King Bhishmaka and was regarded as an incarnation of the goddess Lakshmi, destined to be the eternal consort of Vishnu. As she grew into womanhood, her ears were filled with the glorious tales of Krishna, the prince of Dwarka. Bards and travelers who passed through the palace gates spoke endlessly of his valor, his wisdom, and his divine nature. Though she had never seen him in person, Rukmini’s heart became firmly fixed upon Krishna, and she resolved that no other man would ever be her husband.
However, her elder brother, Rukmi, was a man driven by political ambition and a deep-seated enmity toward Krishna. Rukmi was a close associate of the tyrant Kamsa and the wicked King Jarasandha of Magadha. He viewed Krishna as a mere cowherd who had usurped royal status and was determined to prevent his sister from marrying him. Instead, Rukmi arranged for Rukmini to be wed to Shishupala, the crown prince of Chedi and a bitter rival of the Yadavas. King Bhishmaka, though he loved his daughter and favored Krishna, found himself unable to oppose the headstrong Rukmi and the pressure of the powerful alliances Rukmi had forged.
As the date for the wedding to Shishupala approached, the city of Kundinapura was transformed into a spectacle of opulence. Banners fluttered from every balcony, and the scent of sandalwood and incense filled the air. But within the palace walls, Rukmini was consumed by grief. She knew that if she did not act, she would be forced into a union that would be a living death for her soul. In desperation, she summoned a trusted and elderly Brahmin, a man of great virtue and discretion, and entrusted him with a secret mission. She handed him a letter, written with the ink of her devotion, and instructed him to deliver it to Krishna in Dwarka immediately.
In the letter, Rukmini bared her soul. She wrote: 'O Beauty of the three worlds, I have heard of Your virtues, and hearing of them, my mind has entered into You. My heart is yours, and I have chosen You as my husband. I ask You to come and take me away by the Rakshasa rite of marriage, defeating the kings who seek to claim me. Tomorrow is my wedding day. I will go to the temple of the Goddess Gauri outside the city walls for the traditional pre-wedding prayers. That is when You must strike. If You do not come, O Lotus-eyed one, I shall cast away this life, for I will belong to no one else.'
The Brahmin traveled with the speed of the wind and reached the golden city of Dwarka. He found Krishna in his palace and presented the letter. Krishna, who knew the hearts of all beings, smiled as he read the princess's plea. He had long known of Rukmini's virtues and had already chosen her in his own heart. Without a moment's delay, Krishna ordered his charioteer, Daruka, to prepare his swift chariot, yoked with the legendary horses Saibya, Sugriva, Meghapuspa, and Balahaka. Leaving word for his brother Balarama to follow with the Yadava army, Krishna departed for Vidarbha at once.
Meanwhile, in Kundinapura, the wedding festivities reached their peak. Shishupala arrived with a massive procession, accompanied by Jarasandha and a host of other kings who were prepared to defend the marriage should any trouble arise. The city was a sea of soldiers and chariots. Rukmini, dressed in her bridal finery, waited in agony. She scanned the horizon for the Brahmin’s return or any sign of the dark-complexioned Lord of Dwarka. Just as her hope began to flicker, the Brahmin appeared and whispered that Krishna had received her message and was already in the city.
On the morning of the wedding, as was the custom, Rukmini proceeded to the temple of Ambika (the goddess Parvati/Gauri) to offer her final prayers as a maiden. She was surrounded by a heavy guard of soldiers and accompanied by her female attendants. As she entered the temple, she prayed fervently to the Mother of the Universe, not for a happy life with Shishupala, but that Krishna might take her hand. As she emerged from the temple, she saw a magnificent chariot cutting through the crowd. In it sat Krishna, his eyes like lotus petals and his skin the color of a monsoon cloud.
Before the guards or the rival kings could comprehend what was happening, Krishna reached out, grasped Rukmini’s hand, and pulled her onto his chariot. The crowd gasped in shock as the Lord of Dwarka turned his horses and sped away. It was a bold and public challenge to the gathered monarchs. Shishupala, seeing his bride being carried away, was paralyzed with rage and humiliation. Rukmi, screaming with fury, led the charge as the kings of Magadha, Chedi, and Salva mounted their chariots and gave chase, vowing to kill the 'cowherd' and bring Rukmini back.
As the pursuing army closed in, Balarama and the Yadava forces, who had arrived just in time, intercepted them. A fierce battle ensued on the outskirts of Vidarbha. Arrows darkened the sky and the ground shook with the thundering of hooves. While Balarama dealt with the main body of the enemy, Rukmi managed to break through and caught up with Krishna’s chariot. Rukmi unleashed a volley of arrows, shouting insults at Krishna. Rukmini, seeing her brother's aggression, trembled with fear and pleaded with Krishna to spare her brother’s life.