Essence Of Maha Bhagavatha Purana

Rukmini abducted by Lord Krishna

Suka Maha Muni then narrated the exciting Story to King Parikshith about Lord Krishna’s abduction of Rukmini and their wedding. Rukmini the elder daughter of Bhishmaka, King of Vidarbha and  the elder brother Rukmi fancied Krishna to be her husband since her childhood. Krishna too had a longing for her.But Rukmi convinced his father that Sisupala the King of Chedi was the most suitable bridegroom for her. As this was not agreeble to Rukmini despite the pressure of Rukmi and her father, she sent a faithful Brahmana emissary with a confidential note to Krishna, requesting Him to abuct her preceding her Wedding with Sisupala, just after her scheduled worship at the ‘Gouri Puja’at the Girija Temple.

At the Wedding Ceremony, the Guest List included the Kings like Salva, Jarasandha, Dantavakra and Lord Krishna too. Fearing that Krishna, who proposed earlier to wed Rukmini, might create trouble at the Function, Rukmi as well as Sisupala prepared for any eventuality alerting their Armies;  Salva, Jarasandha, and other well wisheres too readied their armies too. So did Balarama. Precisely when the Bride entered the Wedding Stage, Krishna took away Rumini like a surprise flash and both of them fled away in the Chariot of Krishna with the flag of Garuda atop.The armies of Sisupala and asscociates could hardly prevent the Glorious Abduction. Rukmi was unable to bear the insult and followed Krishna’s chariot but  was defeated and his moustache and beard were shorn by Krishna as a symbol of His victory. Subsequently, King Bhishmaka performed the wedding most appropriately. Pradyumana was born to Rukmini and Krishna and the son looked exactly like Krishna. When he was hardly ten days old, Demon Sambara kidnapped the child and knowing that he was the son of Krishna threw him in the Sea as a huge fish ate him but was safe in its belly. A fisherman caught hold of the big fish and presented it to the King Sambara who in turn gave it to Mayavati the head cook and cut it  to find an attractive baby inside.Narada appeared and revealed the Story to Mayavati of Lord Rudra turning ‘Manmadha’( Cupid) into ashes when he and Rati  (Cupid’s wife) aimed Floral Arrows. Lord Rudra gave boons that in their next birth,Cupid would be born as Lord Krishna’s son Pradyumna and Mayavati as Rati.As Pradyumna grew as a youngman, Mayavati desired to marry him despite wide difference of age. Pradyumna was popularly known as ‘Vyuha’ as the Lord of Intelligence, along with three of His other names viz Vasudeva ( Lord of Consciousness); Sankarshana (Lord of Individuality) and Aniruddha (Lord of Intelligence).Eventually Pradyumna killed Sambara, married Mayavati and stayed with Rukmini and Krishna at Dvaraka.