108 - Marriage of Rukmini

Narayana said- In the meantime Rukmini the form of MahaLakshmi arrived in the court of the king together with the gods and the sages, she was seated on the gem-studded lion-throne. She was adorned with gem-studded ornaments and clad in the garments sanctified by fire. Her hair do was looking quite charming; the chaste lady, wearing a smile on her face was looking at the invaluable gem-studded mirror. She had the spot of kasturi over her forehead and her limbs were plastered with sandal-paste; the forehead was decorated with the spot of vermilion. She had the lustre of molten gold and she was shining like the lustre of the hundreds of moons. All her limbs were plastered with sandal-paste and she wore the garland of jasmine flowers. The seven princesses brought her in the court.

All the yogis, the gods, the sages, the siddhas and the kings had a glance of the chaste Rukmini who was the form of Lakshmi.

The chaste Rukmini took seven rounds and bowed before her husband, she sprinkled cool water with the tender leaves, soaked in sandal-paste. Thereafter Krishna also sprinkled water on his beloved who was smiling. At the auspicious time both the husband and the wife looked at each other.

Rukmini with the serene and smiling face was shining with her lustre and keeping her head downwards sat in the lap in her father.

O Narada, the king with the reciting of the hymns from the Vedas handed over in marriage, his daughter to Krishna.

Krishna accepted the hand of Rukmini with the permission of Vasudeva reciting the words Svasti, Lord Krishna accepted Rukmini in the same way and Shiva had accepted Parvati.

The king gave away to the lord Krishna five lakhs of gold coins in Dakshina.

After the performing of the marriage, the king embraced the daughter and started sobbing in presence of the gods and the sages.

Then begging forgiveness, the king gave away his daughter to lord Krishna who was soaked in tears flowing from the eyes of the king.