109 - Festivities of the Marriage of Krishna and Rukmini

Narayana said- In the meantime the queen mother of Rukmini arrived with other chaste woman whose husbands and sons were alive to complete the welfare ceremonies. Both the bride and the groom were made to enter the palace made of gems. The palace was decorated with several types of diamonds, the garland of gems as well as the paintings. The sapphire emeralds and others gems besides the mirrors were shining.

Krishna found that Durga, the remover of misfortune, Sarasvati, Savitri, Rati, Rohini, Sati, wives of the gods, Indra, the queen and the chaste wives of the sages were seated on the gem-studded lion thrones. All of them were adorned with gem-studded ornaments. At the entry of Sri Krishna into the palace, all the people stood up in reverence and made him sit on the charming lion throne. All the wives of the sages and the gods praised him individually. The queen served food to both the newlyweds and offered fragrant water and the betels with camphor.

Durga handed over to Krishna the letter of welfare and with the permission of all, she asked him to read it out. In the courtyard of the goddess, Krishna smiling read it. It said Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Durga, Savitri, Sati, Radhika, Tulasi, Pruthvi, Ganga, Arundhati, Yamuna, Aditi, Shatarupa, Sita, Devahuti and Menaka bestow welfare upon the newly wedded couple. When Krishna read it all the goddesses present there laughed aloud.

Parvati said- "O beloved of Rukmini, I look at you with a smiling face you look at the young, beautiful damsel named Rukmini".

Indrani said- The one who had been desirous of you since long insulting other gods, this Rukmini who is. adorned with all the gem-studded ornaments is quite suitable for you.”

Savitri said- “Both the bride and the groom are equal and they were made for each other by the lord earlier. The union of the equals is always auspicious."

Rati said- "Who else is competent enough to cut jokes at the lord disregarding the other gods"?

Gayatrr said- "In the house of Bhishmaka, with so much of hustle and bustle, the bride is equal to the groom".

Rohini said- "O lord of the universe, you speak out the truth in the assembly of the damsels as to how did you like Radhika in comparison to Rukmini".

Sarasvati said- The love he had for Radha, cannot be had in Rukmini. In the earlier times, she was always with him in all his sports and increased interested in sports.

She happens to be the goddess of his life, she is dearer to him than all the five prams. Rukmini happens to be an incarnation of Lakshmi and the bestower of all the riches, Radha on the other hand happens to represents the entire prowess of lord Krishna besides being the goddess of wisdom. Durga, Narayani, Parvati the great goddess of the gods, Savitri the mother of the Vedas, Sarasvati the goddess of learning and all other goddesses are only the rays of Radha.

Brahma, Sesha, Ananta, Ganesa, Surya, devotees, Lakshmi, Parvati and myself do not enjoy the same grace of Krishna has been enjoyed by Radha. The earth is graceful of all the three lokas on which the land of Bharata is located. Out of the land of Bharata, Vrundavana is graceful, having the impression of the lotus-like feet of the Radha. Radha happens to be the most virtuous and auspicious of all the chaste ladies. "He is the one who painted the toes of Radha with paint." On hearing this all these damsels started laughing.

The one who is adored by all the ladies from a distance, the heart of the same lord adores Radha who always remains present there. A comparison should thus be made keeping Radha in view.

On hearing these words of Sarasvati, Savitri, Sati, Parvati and all other damsels spoke out in the assembly, "You have spoken out the truth".

Lopamudra, Anusuya, Ahalya, Arundhati and all the wives of the sages, felicitated lord Krishna.

Thereafter the king Bhishmaka properly adored all the kings, the gods and the sages serving them food at the same time.

The sound of welfare music besides, "Eat more and give more", echoed in the sky.

After this, in the early morning Brahma, Shiva, Ananta and the gods besides Vasudeva were mounted on the vehicles.

The king Ugrasena and Vasudeva made Krishna and Rukmini to move on the journey.

Subhadra the mother of Rukmini embraced her daughter and then started ciying in presence of her relatives and female friends.

Subhadra said- O daughter, where are you going leaving alone the queen mother? How can I disown you? And how can you disown me?

You had been born as my daughter with the illusion of Mahalakshmi and you are leaving for the house of lord Krishna, becoming his chaste wife, leaving from my house, go to Vasudeva.

Thus speaking with her mind filled with grief, the mother soaked her daughters body with her tears. Bhishmaka on the other hand with his eyes filled with tears entrusted her daughter to Krishna, begging forgiveness for any short coming, crying aloud at the same time. Rukmini also started sobbing while Krishna too also followed suit.

         Vasudeva made the son and the daughter-in- law to mount the chariot. In the meantime, the king gave away the dowry to his son-in-law which included a thousand elephants six time more the horses, a thousand slave girls, a hundred servants, a thousand gems, invaluable gem-studded ornaments, gracefully, beside five lakhs of coins of pure gold, the gold vases made by Vishvakarma for taking food and a large number of cows delightfully. The number of calves of those cows was one thousand. He gave away beautiful costumes which were shining like the fire and were invaluable. Both Vasudeva and Ugrasena accompanied by the sages and the gods delightfully moved towards Dvaraka.

Entering the city of Dvaraka the welfare ceremonies were performed and the musical instrument were played upon. Devaki, charming Rohini, Yashoda, the wife of Nanda, Aditi, Diti and the best of damsels looked at the charming Rukmini and Krishna again and again and then took them to their home, performing all the welfare ceremonies.

Four types of dishes were served to the gods, the sages, the king, relatives and who begged forgiveness from them for any short coming.

The bards and the Brahmanas were seized with gems delightfully and happily served thel food.

Thus consuming the food all the people went back to their respective houses. Devaki the wife of Vasudeva then performed the welfare ceremony.