Rukmiṇī and Kṛshṇa Dialogue (Bhāgavata Purāṇa)

This episode takes place in the inner chamber of Rukmiṇī at Dvārakā. Bhagavān Kṛshṇa sits on her bed while she fans him herself. He speaks to her in play, and in a light and teasing way he suggests that she should have married a more suitable king. Rukmiṇī has never been apart from him. She takes his words as true and faints from grief.

Bhagavān Kṛshṇa shows his four-armed form, lifts her up, and tells her it was only sport. Rukmiṇī then gives a long reply, deep in Vaishṇava teaching, on why she chose Kṛshṇa above all the kings. The Bhāgavata Mahā Purāṇa tells this in the 10th Skanda, chapter 60.

The setting

Rukmiṇī’s inner chamber was lit by canopies hung with pearls and by lamps set with gems. Pārijāta flowers drifted in through the windows, and the moonlight poured through the lattice. Bhagavān Kṛshṇa sat at ease on a milk-white bed. Rukmiṇī had taken the fly-whisk from her attendant and was fanning him herself.

The Bhāgavata describes her. Bangles and bracelets were on the hand that held the whisk. Her gem-set anklets rang at each step. Her breast was decorated with garlands reddened by saffron, and a jewelled belt shone at her waist. Bhagavān Kṛshṇa’s own Yogamāyā had come down as Rukmiṇī to be his companion, so no union in the three worlds could be more fitting.

Source: Bhāgavata Mahā Purāṇa, 10th Skanda, chapter 60.

Kṛshṇa’s playful teasing

Bhagavān Kṛshṇa was pleased with her bright smile. He wished to tease her pride, which had grown from never being apart from him. With a gentle smile he spoke.

“O princess, kings of great wealth, fame and beauty wanted you. Your own father and brother meant to give you to one of them. Why did you pass over those mighty ones and choose us?

We ran to the ocean from our enemies. We gave up our kingdom. The world does not understand our path. We look for the poor and pay no heed to the rich, and the rich seldom follow us. A match equal in family, wealth, beauty and age gives a fruitful marriage. An unequal one will fail.

I am free of desire. I have no longing for wife, children or wealth. I stay as the witness in all bodies, like a lamp that only gives light. You chose us without knowing this. Now find a king truly worthy of your beauty and virtue.”

Source: 10th Skanda, chapter 60.

Rukmiṇī’s grief and her fall

Rukmiṇī did not understand that this was play. She had never heard a harsh word from her beloved, and these words broke her. Her toes drew lines on the ground with their bright nails. Black kohl ran down in her tears and stained her breast, which was reddened with saffron. She stood with her head bowed, unable to speak, full of grief and fear. The bangles fell from her hands and the fly-whisk dropped. Her body swayed and fell. Her hair came loose and she fell like a banana tree felled by the wind.

Bhagavān Kṛshṇa saw her, who had never known being apart from him, undone by his joke. He got down from the bed with his four divine arms showing. He lifted her up, smoothed back her hair with his hand, wiped her face and her wet breast, and drew her close. He comforted her tenderly: “Do not misunderstand me. I know you are devoted to me above all. I spoke only in play, to see your lovely face in loving anger, with the red lower lip trembling and the proud brow drawn together. I wanted to see your face. Now tell me your answer.”

Source: 10th Skanda, chapter 60.

Rukmiṇī’s reply

When she was calm again, Rukmiṇī gave her answer. It is one of the great teachings of the Bhāgavata on Bhagavān Kṛshṇa. She said:

“What you say of yourself is true: that you are free of desire, without form, beyond the *guṇas. But that is exactly why you are worthy of me. You are the one whom the greatest yogīs look for by holding back prāṇa, mind and speech, by leaving their homes, by fixing their gaze on the tip of the nose. Even so they do not see you in ten thousand years.*

You say kings like Śiśupāla are greater? They are eaten up by their pride and their wealth. The self-important do not seek you, because you love the poor, the humble and those free of desire. That is why I chose you.

You say you ran to the ocean and gave up your kingdom. But you did so of your own will. No enemy has ever truly beaten you. You say the rich seldom follow you. Then let them be. I will follow you. I have nothing else. Whether you push me away or keep me, whether you are pleased or displeased, I will not let go of your lotus feet.

What brāhmaṇa woman, even one who knows the path, would leave you after once tasting devotion to you? Even Śiva, Brahmā and Lakshmī look for your grace. You are the Supreme. Those who can tell the difference do not trade a diamond for glass.”

Source: 10th Skanda, chapter 60.

The meaning of the exchange

The Bhāgavata explains that Bhagavān Kṛshṇa spoke as he did to see the face of Rukmiṇī in praṇaya-kopa, the beautiful anger of love: the trembling lip, the drawn brow and the sideways glance. It was the play of a householder, who may pleasantly spend an hour in playful talk with his beloved. Rukmiṇī’s answer showed that she had the highest jñāna (knowledge). She knew the transcendent nature of Kṛshṇa exactly where others saw a limit. She chose him not by worldly calculation but by clear spiritual discernment.

Source: 10th Skanda, chapter 60.

Sources

• Bhāgavata Mahā Purāṇa, 10th Skanda, chapter 60