92 - Rukmin is slain 

Vyasa said: 

1-2. Rukmiņi gave birth to eight sons, viz. Carudeşņa, Sudesna, Chărudeha, Suşena, Charuguptaas, Bhadracaru, Chăruvinda and Chäru who was the most excellent among the strong ones. 

She gave birth to a daughter Chårumati also. 

3-5. Krishna had seven other splendid wives. They were: Kalindi, Mitravinda, Satya, the daughter of Nagnajit, the gentle lady Jämbavati who was always contented, Rohini another virtuous daughter of Madra king with good conduct, Satyabhāmā the daughter of Saträjit and Lakşmană of sweet and beautiful smiles. The discus-bearing lord had sixteen thousand other wives. 

6-7. Pradyumna of great vigour married the splendid daughter of Rukmin in a Svayamvara ceremony. She loved the son of Hari. Aniruddha of great strength and exploits was born of her. He was an ocean of prowess and a suppressor of enemies but he was held (treacherously in Mahabharata) war. 

8. Krişhņa chose the granddaughter of Rukmin as wife unto his grandson. Although Rukmin vied and contended with Krishna he gave her to his daughter's son (i. e. Aniruddha) 

9. O brahmins, to attend her marriage Rāma and other descendants of Yadu went to Rukmin's city named Bhojakata, along with Lord Krishna. 

10. After the marriage of noble son of Pradyumna was concluded, Kalinga king and others spoke these words to Rukmin. 

Kalinga king and others said: 

11. Balarama is not perfectly conversant with the game of dice; his indulgence in it is however, very great. Hence, O extremely lustrous one, we shall conquer him in the game of dice alone. 

Vyāsa said: 

12. "So be it" said Rukmin who possessed great strength, to those kings. He played the game of dice with Rāma, in the assembly. 

13. A stake of a thousand Niskas (gold coins) was won by Rukmin from Bala. On the second day another thousand was won by Rukmin. 

14. Then Rukmin the most excellent one among those who were conversant with the game of dice, put up a stake of ten thousand gold coins againts Baladeva who was desirous of victory. 

 15. Then, O brahmins, exhibiting all his teeth, the foolish overlord of Kalinga laughed at Bala. The haughty Rukmin spoke then: 

Rukmin said: 

16. O members of the assembly, this Balarama devoid of learning has been defeated by me in the game of dice. He is not conversant with either the manner of fighting or the lore of the game. 

Vyasa said: 

17. On seeing the king of Kalinga with the teeth in his mouth fully exhibited, and Rukmin indulging in harsh words, Balarama became infuriated. 

18. With his mind full of fury Balarama put up the stake at a crore of gold coins. Rukmin too accepted it: He threw the dice for that purpose. 

19. Baladeva won the stake. He said to him loudly "This is won by me". 

"The victory is mine" loudly proclaimed Rukmin to Bala in false words. 

20. "It is true that this stake was announced by you. But it had not been accepted or approved of by me. That being the case if (you say) you have won how (can't I say that) I have won? 

21. Then loud resonant words rose up in the sky aggravating the fury of noble Baladeva. 

22. The speech in the firmament said: “The stake is won by Baladeva. What is uttered by Rukmin is false. Certain things are accepted through actions even without mentioning words." 

Vyasa said: 

23. Then Bala of great strength got up with his eyes turned red due to fury. With the dice board itself he hit and killed Rukmin. 

24. With great force he held the king of Kalinga who was throbbing and trembling. In his fury he broke his teeth with which he had openly laughed at him. 

25. The infuriated Bala seized a great column of gold and killed those kings who belonged to his side. 

26. When Bala was angry thus, O brahmins, the entire assembly of kings became eager to flec crying out "Alas, Alas". 

27. On hearing that Rukmin was killed by Bala, Krishna did not utter a single word for fear of offending Rukmiņi or Bala. 

28. Then, O cxcellent brahmins, the descendants of Yadu, accompanied by Krishna returned to Dvärak taking Aniruddha with them after his marriage rites were concluded.