Sri Radhakrsna's Leela - Part IV (Updated Chapter 42 on Page 30) - Page 9

Originally posted by: TwinMadness

Res 😛😛

Tum itne bade Rukmini-Krishna fan ho?

Originally posted by: Surya_krsnbhakt

I don't know, I am just steering the story in its normal direction. Plus Vishaka Hari talks mostly about Rukmini in her Harikathas, and usually ends with Rukmini Kalyanam, therefore I know most detailed-ly about Rukmini!

(If you know Tamil you can see the link I have added at the end of the chapter.)

Originally posted by: TwinMadness

I know Vishaka Hari. She is just about the sweetest person ever 😊

And my Bhama? :P

Originally posted by: Surya_krsnbhakt

You know Vishaka Hari?

Originally posted by: TwinMadness

Yep 😊

Actually know her.

Originally posted by: Surya_krsnbhakt

Originally posted by: Surya_krsnbhakt

"You love her, I take it?" Is an understatement. More in your inbox.

I shall surely review your OS..😛

Bhama is mostly based on my Krsna's understanding of her which is not much... but is getting better thanks to you.

Chapter 23: Rukmini's Svayamvara

Bheeshmaka cleared his throat as all his ministers looked at the King, waiting for his important announcement. Beside him sat his wife, and just a little behind, on a smaller throne, a confused Rukmini.

"O people," said Bheeshmaka, "Since Princess Rukmini has reached marriageable age I take immense pleasure in announcing that I have decided to organize a Svayamvara for her. I wish to receive your opinions and suggestions on this important event, if any."

The ministers and brahmanas seated in the court all applauded the King's decision, expressing their utmost excitement and happiness at this announcement!

Bheeshmaka then looked at his eldest son. "Rukmi, I want you to dispatch emissaries to all kingdoms, informing them of Rukmini's Svayamvara."

Turning to his four other sons, Bheeshmaka said, "I am entrusting the preparations of the event to you, my sons! Ensure that the Svayamvara will remain one of the grandest events in the life of your sister!"

Rukmi sent first sent invitations to all his allies in war - Jarasandha, Damaghosha, Shalva, Paundraka, Dantavakra - and then to the remaining kingdoms, excepting Mathura. He didn't want his sister to marry anyone from the cowherd clan!

AS the day of the Svayamvara dawned, Rukmini was still in a state of confusion. Ever since she had heard about Krsna from Narada Maharshi, she had unknowingly fallen for that hero! She was finally convinced that she would marry none other than the son of Vasudeva! But - how was she to tell Bheeshmaka of this, the loving father, who not knowing of his daughter's sudden desires, had arranged this grand ceremony?

She fervently wished that Krsna would somehow make it to the Svayamvara, though she knew (and hated the fact) that Rukmi had deliberately not sent an invite to Mathura. Or at least, by some miracle, she wished for this Svayamvara to be called off!

As she stood in the balcony above the Svayamvara hall, she saw many kings arriving dressed in all their finery. Seeing her brother's demeanor, she could easily guess that most of them were his allies who had failed in conquering Mathura seventeen times. Well, she sighed, doesn't the very fact that they couldn't win a single kingdom after seventeen attempts disqualify them from being eligible?

As the Kings took their respective seats and peered around the hall seeing who all were present, a commotion from outside the palace startled them all. As King Bheeshmaka strode out to see what had caused the commotion, the kings rushed behind him in an unruly fashion. Rukmini and her sakhis went out into the verandah and peered down, expecting some brawl or something to have occurred. They were greeted by a most divine sight.

Above in the sky, upon a golden eagle, an extremely handsome man was flying down to the palace. The man was darker than anyone they had ever seen, yet glowed with ethereal effulgence. He was dressed in golden-yellow silk - a wild-flower garland decorating his broad chest - and had a peacock feather upon his crown. As he flew down, he had a charming smile on his lotus face and a twinkle in his lotus eyes. Rukmini had almost no difficulty in recognizing the beautiful being in front of her eyes - it was none other than the hero of Yadavas, Sri Krsna Himself!

Upon seeing Krsna arriving on Garuda, the assembled kings gathered back in the hall, leaving Bheeshmaka at the entrance to welcome Krsna, and began discussing fervently.

"Friends," bellowed King Jarasandha, whose son Sahadeva had come to participate in the Svayamvara, "It is of my humble opinion that, in light of the arrival of Sri Krsna, we must give up hopes of being selected by Princess Rukmini. Instead, we must all heartily welcome that Yadava Hero, since there is none equal to him in this Sabha."

Shalva replied, "I concur, Maharaja Jarasandha. Our valour and courage are nothing in the presence of Krsna, who has arrived on the Lord of Birds, Sri Garuda Himself. This very fact proves his divinity!"

Rukmi, who had stormed back inside the sabha, highly irritated that Krsna had arrived, became furious on hearing the words of his friends. "What in the name of Indra are you Kings talking about? That cowherd is a master of deception! How can you even think that he excels you all in combat and beauty? How is he eligible to wed my sister?"

"Rukmi, you are young! You must learn to listen to your elders!" said Jarasandha. "We all agree that Krsna is the most eligible to wed Princess Rukmini!"

Krsna smiled at his own mischief. How easy it was to influence the minds of all these kings! He alighted from Garuda, the Son of Vinata, and bowed down to an astonished King Bheeshmaka.

"Pranams, O Maharaja Bheeshmaka! I apologise for the commotion I have caused!"

"I welcome your presence, Oh son of Vasudeva! You need not apologise for anything! In fact, I regret that my son had not extended an invitation to Mathura!"

Krsna smiled knowingly at the King. "I had desisted from arriving to the Svayamvara Hall because I was not invited by your son Prince Rukmi! But on the advice of my dear friend King Kaishika, who is your vassal, I decided to arrive in this unnatural fashion, thus astonishing your son and the other Kings who have arrived here today." Then, lowering his voice, he continued, "May I tell your Highness something personal?"

Bheeshmaka, though startled by Krsna's words, nodded in agreement.

"Then listen, O King. Thy daughter, Princess Rukmini, is not destined to be wed through a Svayamvara! She has eyes only for one person, whom she has already chosen! Since that person is not invited to this Svayamvara (much like how I am not invited), I suggest to you that to avoid embarrassment, the most prudent thing for you would be to call off this Svayamvara itself!"

The King of Vidarbha stared at the handsome Prince of Mathura, whose eyes were sparkling with mirth and whose smile was causing dimples to appear on both his cheeks!

"You have truly spoken my mind, O Vaasudeva. For the past few days, I too had noticed my daughter's absent-mindedness! But due to the announcement being made, and the stubbornness of my son Rukmi, I could not recall the Svayamvara invitations! Now you have cleared my mind! I agree to your proposal to cancel this Svayamvara, and hope that my daughter has chosen the right person, if what you say is true!"

"Then I shall leave with your permission, O king," said Krsna suddenly.

"But Vaasudeva," exclaimed Bheeshmaka, "you can't leave without accepting our hospitality! I request you to stay on for a few days!"

"It wouldn't be diplomatic, O King, if you dismissed all the kings assembled here except me. I shall surely arrive one day to partake of your hospitality!"

So saying, Krsna bowed once more to King Bheeshmaka and mounting Garuda, took off to the skies. Bheeshmaka took a moment to digest what had just happened and reluctantly returned to the Sabha, to be greeted by the unanimous decision of the kings about Krsna's eligibility and his son's frustrated replies. He raised his hands to silence the cacophony.

"Oh Kings," he announced, the hesitation in his voice evident, "I have a very important announcement to make."

Rukmini rushed back to her waiting place to listen to what her father was saying after the brief conversation with Krsna (who to her utter disappointment, had left immediately!).

"I have taken note of recent events, as well as of all of your suggestions pertaining to Vaasudeva Krsna. Upon Sri Krsna's advice, I therefore inform you all with extreme regret that this Svayamvara has been called off. I seek apologies from each King present here for causing all of you this severe trouble!"

To Bheeshmaka's further amazement, the kings accepted his apology with smiles and said unanimously, "We have not taken offence, Oh respected King! On the contrary, we agree with your decision! We shall all depart to our respected kingdoms without a moment's delay!"

And the Kings bowed to Bheeshmaka, and much to Rukmi's frustration and anger, slowly exited the hall and departed for their kingdoms.

Rukmini's heart was leaping! This dreaded Svayamvara had been cancelled! Oh, she could dance with joy!