Bhishmaka, the king of Vidarbha, had two children, Prince Rukmi and Princess Rukmini. He had heard many stories of Lord Krishna’s valour and secretly wished him to be his son-in-law. Bhishmaka knew that it might not be possible as Kansa’s father-in-law, Jarasandha, was their overlord and Lord Krishna was his sworn enemy. In fact, Prince Rukmi was a friend of Kansa and hated Krishna since Kansa’s death. He wanted his younger sister, Rukmini to marry Shishupal, the crown prince of Chedi, who also was favoured by Jarasandha.
Bhishmaka had to agree with Rukmi and decided to marry his daughter to Shishupal. But Princess Rukmini had heard the stories of Lord Krishna’s valour since her childhood and she had her heart set on marrying Lord Krishna. When Rukmini learnt that her brother had chosen Shishupal for her, she resolved with determination, “I will marry only Lord Krishna or give up my life!” But Rukmi refused to get his sister married to Krishna.
Princess Rukmini did not want to marry Shishupal, the groom chosen by her brother, Rukmi. She was in love with Lord Krishna. So, she sent her trusted friend, Sunanda, to Lord Krishna with a note. The note said: My Lord, I already consider You my husband. If You won’t marry me, I will surely give up my life. Please do come and take me away.
Rukmini wrote that on the day of the wedding, she would go to the temple of Goddess Parvati and if He desired so, that was the right time to kidnap her. She also begged Him to spare the lives of her family while kidnapping her. Thus, Sunanda went to Dwarka, Lord Krishna’s new fortress home, with the note. Lord Krishna had heard a lot about Rukmini’s beauty, too. He longed to marry her but wasn’t sure if he should approach her family, as they owed their allegiance to Jarasandha.
Upon receiving the message from Rukmini, Lord Krishna vowed to kidnap her. But Jarasandha knew that Krishna and Rukmini wished to marry each other. So, he brought his men to Vidarbha as a precaution. Lord Krishna went to Vidarbha first and Balarama followed with the army.
On the wedding day, when Rukmini was leaving the temple, she searched for Krishna in the crowd but did not see Him. As she was leaving in her chariot, she felt someone held her from behind. It was Lord Krishna. “I have come for you, my love!”
Lord Krishna said as He lifted her onto the chariot and sped away. Jarasandha’s men followed Lord Krishna but were defeated by Balarama’s army. Prince Rukmi tried to stop Lord Krishna but could not. Lord Krishna spared Rukmi’s life but cut half the hair on his head and half the moustache on his face and then let him go. Then, Lord Krishna returned to Dwarka with Rukmini and made her His bride.
