Indian Antiquary Vol 36

SR No.: 032528
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 430
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 15 MB

Page 398

880
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[DROHMBAR, 1907.
Whether the enlightened and best of Brahmans did repair to Kpiahs or no; whether he was fatigued on the way or reached the place safely; whether he found fault with me for having given unnecessary trouble to the Brahman or accepted my entreaty; whether the Almighty will belp me in tay undertakings or baffle my endeavours; whether my tutelary deity, Parvati, will protect me or otherwise, and after all whether my fortune is favourable or the reverse. I am at a loss to know all this'-such were the thoughts that she entertained at this moment. The Brahman may not have gone to Dvaraka and therefore Krishna bas not been able to come here. There is no confidential person whom I could hereafter send to fetch Krishņa thither. There is not an atom of justice to be got from my brother Rukmi. He intends to give me to Sisupala, the staunchest enemy of my lover, Krishqa. Even my Pârvati has lost her pity for me.' The above were her thoughts at that time.
" She would not communicate ber thoughts even to her mother. Her face had turned very pale, She would not even smile, nor would she try to remove the wild bees which used to sit on her face, thinking it to be a lotus. She would not unwind the twisted pearl necklaces on her breast. She would ever be bent on eagerly looking at Krishna's arrival. She would weep, thinking she was not to be blessed by marrying Sri-Krishņa; she would not braid her tresses; would not talk even to her favourite maids ; she would not take food, nor drink water. She would not teach her pet parrot a song. She would not play on the lyre and would shun society as much as possible. As sorrow was great at her heart on account of Krishna not having come to marry her as yet, as he was in justice bound to do, Rukmint, - the lion-waisted, lotus-scented, mirror-faced, flower-bodied, lotus-eyed, swan-gaited, creeper-framed, the jewel of jewels, the flower of all women, with hands formed after the lotus, - would not daub her body with musk, would not bathe, would not see a looking-glass, nor wear flowers, por resort to parks, nor tame swans, nor grow creepers, nor wear jewels, nor wear marks on the forehead, nor swim in water, she, being unable to bear the finely pointed darts of Cupid, would shiver at sweet soft winds, would be terrified at the noise of the wild bees, would be struck with horror at the song of nightingale, would be annoyed at the noise of parrots and ran sway from them, would not bear the best of moonlight and would stand aloof from the shade of the sweet mango-tree. While thus eagerly waiting for the coming of Hari and looking carelessly at all other business, and being scorched by Cupid's arrows, there occurred a tremor of her left eye and left shoulder, which foreboded something good. Then the Brahman, being sent by Sri Krishna, arrived, when Rukmini went and stood before him with a glowing face and smiling, then the Brahman told her :- Rukmini, Sri-Krishra was exceedingly pleased at your good character, has given me immense wealth, has also himself arrived here. He is at present outside the town. He would marry you in the rakshasa form, even though the whole host of angels and råkshasas come and oppose him. You have this day reaped the fruit of your labours.' Afterwards Rukmini replied thus : - You have protected me by carrying my news to Kțishṇa and bringing him here. I live by your mercy, There is in the whole world none other like you. I cannot repay the good you have done me except by a prostration before you.' Thus saying, she prostrated before him and dismissed him,
"Afterwards Bhishmaka, having heard of the arrival of Balarama and Krishna at his daughter's marriage, went to meet them with beating of drums, received them kindly, presented them with cloths and ornaments, showed resting-places for their armies, friends, and relatives, showed hospitality to all the other kings as became each of them, and supplied them with all necessaries. Then the townsfolk, having heard of the arrival of Sri Krishņa at Rukmini's marriage, come and saw him and coliloquised thus:- This Krisbna most be the fittest man for that Rukmini and she for him. Brahma can be called intelligent only when such a pair are brought into unison with each other. What matters it if only by the good deeds that we have done in our previous births, Krishņa becomes the husband of Rukmint after slaying all those who offer resistance to him in battle.'