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384
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[DECEMBER, 1907.
Karmic law pervades through the whole universe. Therefore your brother has but suffered for the deed he has committed in a previous existence. We should not kill a relative, though he deseryes death. To him a sense of shame should be more than death. When Brahmâ created the four castes and defined the Varnasrama dharma of each, he said that it is but proper to kill any person in battle, be he a brother, father, or son. That is why kings in their thirst for dominion slay any person in battle, irrespective of the relationship they bear. Those kings who want to earn a reputation of being great, being desirous of dominion, wealth, sustenance, women or honour, and not for a moment thinking of the troubles they would endure in the other world, always drag other people to quarrel for one reason or another. O. Rukmini, hear me. To the ignorant one that makes a difference between God and man, being surrounded by the mayd of Vishnu; to those that draw a distinction between sthúla, sukshma, and karana sariras, and between jñanendrias and karmendrias, there exists a difference between friend, foe, and acquaintance. As the sun, moon, and stars appear in mirrors, waters, and precious stones, as the horizon presents various shapes in the waters of pots, ponds, lakes, wells, and rivers, so the all-pervading Universal Soul (God) appears differently to different living beings. This sthúla sarira, capable of undergoing life and death, assumes the form of the five elements and makes the jiva wander in this miserable sansar and undergo life and death in utter ignorance. As the eye and the objects of vision appear bright when sun is shining, the jñanendrias and karmendrias follow their own calling when the soul is shining. As there is no relation between the sun and the objects of vision, so no relation exists between the soul and the body. As waxing and waning disturb only the fifteen phases of the moon and not the nectar-phased moon itself, so birth and death disturb the body and not the soul. As the sleeping person enjoys the appearances presented to him in a dream, so the person who has no knowledge of the soul thinks the transient pleasures of this world to be immortal. Therefore, think not that Krishna has put your brother to shame and that he has suffered from it. Put off, therefore, all sorrow from your heart. O Rukmini, put off all your sorrow which arises out of ignorance by your knowledge of self. It is not proper for you, who knows the self, to weep like the ignorant.'
"When Rukmini was thus taught by Balarama, she learnt fully of the soul and left off weeping. Rukmi, who was put to shame by Krishna, suffered like one under the pangs of death, sobbed in his fulness of heart over his disfigured frame and resolved that he would not enter Kundinanagara, without defeating Krishpa. He therefore stayed outside the town. Thus did Krishna take Rukminî to his abode after slaying all his enemies. Preparations for marriage were being made throughout the town. There were dances, songs, and the beating of drunis. Men and women put on their best attire. Public thoroughfares became damp from the perspirations of the elephants of the kings who came to witness the marriage. Plantain and areca trees were tied at the front of every house. Camphor and incense were burnt. The walls, terraces, doorways, doors, and pillars of every house, were beautifully adorned. Festoons and cloths, flowers, and precious stones were tied, and standards were raised everywhere.
"On this occasion Srl-Krishna married Rukmini (Lakshmi), a woman best adapted to his tastes, possessing an extreme sense of honour, capable of making others exceedingly rich, honored by her relatives, and in turn honouring them, of good character, capable of removing immense poverty, and wearing the best jewels and putting on the best cloths. By such a marriage Krishna obtained an everlasting fame. Then the townsfolk, wishing for their welfare, came to see the newly-married pair and gave them valuable offerings. The kings of the various kingdoms of the world were delighted and wondered at hearing of the marriage of Rukmini and Krishna. O Parikshit, the people of the city were overjoyed to the happy union of Rukmini and Krishna."
