wave o love 19

March 16, 2008

Dear sri vaishNava perunthagaiyeer,

In that 'kEttadhaal vandha kaadhal' of rukmiNee - with krishNa, - we also had a small comparison with the other two celebrated marriages – raama seethaa and aaNdaaL ranga.

Now we will revert back to our main topic – rukmiNee kalyaNam. Since the news of arrival of krishNa reached rukmiNee through that braahmaNa she was happy. We also saw that small variation – in bhaagavatham that braahmaNa came in kishNa's chariot but poet NT says – aayaathi - he is coming - in the krithi

vanamaalee khila noonam vasudhEva apathyam

sanakaadhi muni jana hrudh kamala samvEdhyam

Meanwhile the king prepared himself and the bride, in his routines and as per wish of his son rukmee. See a translation of these from bhaagavatham – chapter 53 of 10th skandham – [numbers are slokam no]

7. King Bhîshmaka in affection, answering to the wishes of his son [Rukmi], ready to give his daughter away to Sisupaala, saw to it that the required duties were performed.

8-9. The city thoroughly cleansed and with its avenues, streets and intersections abundantly sprinkled with water, was decorated with banners on flagpoles and with archways. With their homes aromatic of aguru arrayed the women and men of the city in spotless clothing, hung with jewels, fragrant and decorated with flowers and other ornaments.

10. To the rules correctly worshiping the forefathers and the demigods, o King, and feeding the scholars as was proper, had he [bhîshmaka] chanted auspicious mantras.

11.The bride properly bathed and with her teeth washed had her auspicious marriage-thread put on, as also a brand-new set of clothes and an adornment of the most excellent jewels.

12. For the protection of the bride were, by the best of the twice born, manthras chanted from the Saama, Rig and Yajur Veda and poured the priest expert in the Atharva mantras justly oblations of ghee for the peace of the ruling planets. [navagraha saanthi ?]

13. As the best of the ones known with the vEdha vidhi donated the king gold, silver, clothing and sesame seeds mixed with raw sugar to the brahmins.

Point: So all things were going on as per procedures and formalities. On the other side see the reaction of rukmiNee on hearing the arrival of krishNa at kuNdinapuram. The important point to note is that she is an expert in understanding the body language as stated in bhaagavatham –

28.Just then came that purest of the twice born [braahmaNa] to the command of Krishna, to see the divine daughter of the king staying in the inner chambers of the palace.

29.Noticing his joyful face and the relaxed movements of his body, did she, as an expert in the signs, inquired with a pure smile.

30. He told her of the arrival of that Child of the Yadus and related the words. He had said in assurance of Him getting married to her.

31. Concluding that He had arrived, gladdened the mind of Vaidarbhee, upon which she knew nothing but to bow down to the dear brahmin.

Point: When she wanted to give a prize to that braahmaNa, for having given such a good news, see what he gets – a 'bow down' of head means namaskaaram – thalai gunindhu vaNakkam- mahaalakshmi bowing down her head

– any more thing really required for braahmaNa? Oh what a great prize?

Continuing -- When krishNa reached kuNdinapuram, the king received him with proper reception. Generally in many a upanyaasams the lecturer will say, krishNa reached, went to ambikaa's temple and took rukmiNee. Then they will describe the fight of Krishna with sisupaala and rukmee.

Whereas in bhaagavatham – it is fully described that krishNa was received by king in assembly and then like other kings he was also offered a seat etc – see

32. Hearing that krishNa, eager to witness his daughter's marriage, had arrived came he [king Bhîshmaka] resounding instruments with abundant offerings to Balaraama and KrishNa.

33. As prescribed performed he the worship with desirables as honey-milk [madhuvarka] and brought he new clothes.

34. Generously arranging for an opulent place to stay, he afforded Them, together with their soldiers and associates, proper hospitality.

35. Thus was he according each his power, age, strength and wealth with all that was wanted of respect for the kings who had assembled.

In the assembly all kings and prince-s were seated for the swayamvaram. KrishNa was also there. Here places NT a long tharangam in raagam mukhaari – starting -kOmaLaadharE rukmiNee - with 12 charaNams and one pallavi

– meaning - the servant or a close friend of rukmiNee coming in procession with her in the assembly hall, introducing each king or prince, and rukmiNee rejects and finally wanting to see krishNa only – where she also meets him.

What happens next – is already known, but let us see details in next post.

Dhasan

PS: since the raavaNa remembering garudan topic and other work came in between, continuation in this topic took a little more time.

Vasudevan MG