Rukmini Dvadasi

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Krishna Glorifies Rukmini

 

In this song from Rukmini parinaya mahakavyam by a 16th century poet

Narayana, Lord Krishna expresses His feelings of separation for Rukmini Devi

to His messenger:

 

In all the sides of the path of my vision lives My darling as if in front of

Me, but union is not (possible); days and nights pass.

 

O female messenger! Surely Rukmini steals My mind.

 

If My voice speaks at all out of pleasure, only the flattering words for the

princess are delivered.

 

O female messenger! Surely Rukmini steals My mind.

 

My heart indeed feels the pains by the poison of the Cupid even that is

burnt by the fire of separation, juice of which has already been stolen

away.

 

O female messenger! Surely Rukmini steals My mind.

 

Listen to the secret laments of the newly bereaved Hari as charmingly

narrated by the best of men of the city of Bauda.

 

O female messenger! Surely Rukmini steals My mind.

 

Every limb of Mine has been rendered emaciated night after night, no sleep

in the eyes. Every moment I see Her in illusion, therefore please proceed

for Our union.

 

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Rukmini-harana

The Kidnapping of Princess Rukmini-devi

 

This year June 5th markes the day that Srimati Rukmini-devi was kidnapped by

Lord Krishna (Jyestha S11). Their pastimes of battle, eloping and marriage

attests to the dynamism and exhuberance of Their divine activity. In fact,

the fight preceding Their marriage has been compared to the great Churning

of the Milk Ocean. Just as Vishnu obtained Lakshmi as His wife after

churning of the ocean with the demons, Lord Krishna similarly obtained the

hand of Srimati Rukmini-devi in marriage after the tumultuous battle against

the demonic princes.

And even among all of Lord Krishna's sixteen thousand Queens, Srimati

Rukmini- devi is His most beloved one. Indeed the Skanda-purana declares,

"Rukmini is in Dvaraka what Radha is in the forest of Vrndavana (SB

10.52.17p)."

 

In the Srimad Bhagavatam, Queen Rukmini personally relates the story of Her

kidnapping: "My dear Draupadi, it was practically a settled fact that

princes like Jarasandha and others wanted me to marry King Sisupala, and, as

is usual, all the princes present during the marriage ceremony were prepared

with their armor and weapons to fight with any rival who dared stop the

marriage.

 

"But Lord Krishna kidnapped me in the way a lion takes away a lamb from the

flock. This was not, however, a very wondrous act for Lord Krishna, because

anyone who claims to be a very great hero or king within this world is

subordinate to the lotus feet of Lord Krishna. All the kings touch their

helmets to the lotus feet of Lord Krishna.

 

 

"My dear Draupadi, it is my eternal desire that life after life I may be

engaged in the service of Lord Krishna, who is the reservoir of all

pleaseure and beauty. This is my only desire and ambition in life."

 

Thus, Draupadi and all the women of the Kuru dynasty present were struck

with wonder and admiration for Her and Her love for Lord Krishna.

 

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Qualities of Rukmini-devi

 

1. ruciraananaam - whose face is charming

2. hriyaa, vriiDaa - shy

3. satii - exalted, of saintly character

4. buddhi - possessing intelligence

5. lakSana - possessing auspicious bodily markings

6. audaarya - magnanimous

7. Siila - of proper behavior

8. sadRSiiM bhaaryaaM - an ideal wife

9. deviim - the divine goddess

10. asitaapaaNgii - dark-eyed

11. mohiniim - enchanting

12. mahatii - aristocratic

13. dhiiraa - sober-minded

14. kulavatii - of good family

15. lakSaNaabhijn~aa - an expert knower of bodily symptoms

16. aaraadhito - having rendered devotional service

17. mat-paraam, aatmaarpitaS - dedicated exclusively to Krishna

18. anavadyaaNgiim, Sobhaam - of flawless beauty

19. Sucismitaa - sweetly smiling

20. varaaroha - of lovely hips

21. bimba-phala-adhara - glowing bimba red lips

22. Syaamaa - firm breasts

23. calantiim kalahaMsa - walking with the motions of a royal swan

24. su madhyamam - shapely waist

25. govinda-hRtamaanasaa - whose mind is stolen by Krishna

26. gunASrayaam - a repository of all other good qualities

 

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