________________
RUKMINI KALYANAM.
879
DECEMBER, 1907.]
the eye; her forehead laughs at the semi-circular moon; her braided tresses laugh at black wild bees; her sight resembles the finely-pointed darts of Cupid; her eye-brows resemble the branches of Cupid arrows; her words invigorate the mind; her face resembles the moon. Krishna, you are the best person fitted for her and she for you. All others are useless to both. I tell you, on my guru, you should be married. Why do you make unnecessary delays? Take all people by whom you wish to be accompanied and come with me to fetch Rukmint. Slay your enemies, do good to the world and obtain fame.'
"When Krishna heard all that the Brahman had said, he took hold of the Brahman's hand, and, laughing, spoke to him thus: 'O Brahman, my thoughts are fully centred on Rukmini and that is why my nights are always sleepless. I knew already of Rukmini's hindrance to this marriage. Therefore as fire is taken out by the contact of wood with wood, so I shall bring Rukmint after slaying the armies of my enemies. I shall immediately go to Vidarbha, enter Bhishmaka's territory in a fitting manner and slay all my enemies who come across my path and tear open their bodies.'
"Krishna ascertained from the Brahman the auspicious moment of Rukmini's marriage and ascended with him the chariot drawn by four of his best horses harnessed to it by the charioteer under his own instructions, and reached Vidarbha in a single night. There Bhishmaka, king of Kundina, who could not set his son aside, bad resolved to marry his daughter to Sisupâla, and had made the necessary preparations for its performance. At this juncture the public streets, lanes, and thoroughfares of the city were swept and kept scrupulously clean, excellent sandalwood water was sprinkled in them, they were adorned with beautiful flowers of various kind; all houses were repaired and kept in good order, incense and camphor were burnt; all the men and women were in their best and appropriate attire, were adorned with beautiful flowers, the best jewels and excellent scents; drums and instruments of all sorts were beaten and played. Thus the whole city presented a gay and lively appearance. Then Maharaja Bhishmaka first propitiated the pitris, fed the Brahmans, purified the city, had Rukmint bathed, adorned her with the best jewels and in the best attire possible, performed all observances in accordance with the strict injunctions of the Vedas, engaged Brahmaus to chant the various mantras, and the purohit to perform navagraha homa and to give away gifts of sesamum seeds, cows, silver, gold, and cloths.
"At this juncture the proud Sisupâla came to the city with the object of marrying Rukmini, accompanied by various armies under his command, his innumerable relatives, friends, and others. Jarasandha, Dantavaktra, Salva, Biduratha, Paundraka, Vasudeva, and other kings came to the firm resolution that they would defend Sisupâla against Krishna and Balai âma and all their innumerable armies, relatives, and friends and drive them off the field, and overcome any objection to making Sisupâla marry Rukmini. Very many other rajás came to witness the marriage. Of these Sisupåla was lodged by Bhishmaka in the best lodgings possible, and when Balarama heard this, he went to the place with a host, all the while thinking that Krishna went there single-handed, and that very many kings were there to help Sisupâla, and that when the girl was to be brought, a fight would necessarily ensue and that at that juncture Krishna would need assistance.
"At that time when the host of rajds were approaching the town, Rukmini entertained grave doubts about Krishna's coming thither. To-morrow is the auspicious moment; the marriage is fast approaching; my mind is wavering as to why Krishna has not come as yet; whether Krishna has given a deaf ear to my news; why it is that the Brahman resembling the fire has not come here as yet; whether my attempts to marry Krishna are to be fulfilled or frustrated; whether Brahmâ has thought otherwise' such were the thoughts passing in the mind of Rukmini at this moment.
