Bhīshmaka
Bhīshmaka was the strong and righteous king of Vidarbha. He ruled from the capital Kuṇḍina, also called Kuṇḍinapura. He was the father of Rukmīṇī, who is Mahālakshmī come down as an avatāra, and of Rukmi.
His son Rukmi strongly opposed the match. Even so, Bhīshmaka listened to the advice of his purohita (family priest) Śatānanda and accepted Bhagavān Kṛshṇa as his daughter’s husband. The Brahma Vaivarta Purāṇa describes with great tenderness his grief and joy at giving Rukmīṇī away.
Kingdom and family
Bhīshmaka ruled the ancient kingdom of Vidarbha from its capital Kuṇḍina, which is also called Kuṇḍinapura or Vidarbhanagara. He was the father of:
- Rukmi, his eldest son, powerful and proud, and hostile toward Bhagavān Kṛshṇa.
- Rukmīṇī, his dear daughter, an avatāra of Mahālakshmī.
His family purohita was Śatānanda, the son of Gautama Ṛshi and a grandson of the great Gautama. He was deeply learned and full of devotion.
Rukmīṇī’s marriage
Śatānanda advised Bhīshmaka that Rukmīṇī was Mahālakshmī herself and so belonged only to Bhagavān Kṛshṇa, as His queen. Bhīshmaka was convinced. But Rukmi’s hostility made the situation dangerous. Rukmi had invited the kings of Aṅga, Kaliṅga, Magadha and other great kingdoms to a gathering in Kuṇḍina. He meant to give Rukmīṇī to Śiśupāla.
When Bhagavān Kṛshṇa came to Kuṇḍina, Bhīshmaka went out to meet him with full honour and respect. He offered the royal pūjā with pādya (water for the feet), arghya (water of welcome), ācamana (water for sipping), gandha (fragrance) and pushpāñjali (a handful of flowers). He gave gifts with a full heart.
Bhīshmaka performed the kanyādāna (the giving away of the daughter) with tears flowing from his eyes. They were tears of joy at his daughter’s divine destiny and of grief at parting from her. He placed Rukmīṇī’s hand in the hand of Bhagavān Kṛshṇa with Vedic mantras and a prayer for every blessing (Brahma Vaivarta Purāṇa, Śrī Kṛshṇa Janana Khaṇḍa, Chapters 105–108).
Sources
- Brahma Vaivarta Mahā Purāṇa, Śrī Kṛshṇa Janana Khaṇḍa, Chapters 105–108