________________
MARRIAGE OF KRSNA WITH RUKMIŅI AND OTHÉRS 181 make her fall into the trouble of acquiring a very beautiful
co-wife.”
With these reflections, he went to the city Kundina. Bhişmaka was king there. His wife was named Yaśomati and they had a son, Rukmin, and a very beautiful daughter, Rukmiņi. Nārada went there and, honored by Rukmiņi, said, “Let Krşņa, lord of half of Bharata, be your husband.” “ Who is Kļşņa ?” she asked and Nārada explained that all the virtues, beauty, grace, courage, et cetera, unequaled, were assembled in Krşņa. After hearing that, Rukmiņi became enamored with Kșşņa immediately and continued to long for Kļņa, afflicted by love.
Nārada painted her picture on canvas, went to Dvārikā, and showed it, which resembled collyrium of nectar for the eyes, to Krşņa. When he had seen it, Kșşņa asked Nārada, “Sir, who is this goddess whom you have painted on this canvas? Tell me.” Nārada smiled and said: “This is not a goddess, but a mortal, Princess Rukmiņi, sister of Rukmin, lord of Kundina.” Astonished by her beauty, Krşņa sent an agent at once to Rukmin and asked for Rukmini in a friendly speech. Rukmin laughed and said:
“A cowherd of low family, indeed, asks for my sister. What is this foolish wish of his! I shall give her in marriage to King Siśupāla. Their union, like that of Rohiņi and the Moon, is suitable."
Hearing his harsh speech, the messenger went and reported it to his yellow-clothed master (Krşña). Rukmiņi's paternal aunt, Dhātrī, knowing that he (Kșşņa) was free from faults, took her aside and said in a speech purified by affection:
“When you were a child, the sage Atimuktaka saw you sitting on my lap and said, 'She will be Kșşņa's chief-queen.' Asked, “How will Kļşņa be recognized ?' he replied, 'Kșşņa will be recognized from his settlement at Dvārikā on the Western Ocean.' You are not given by Rukmin to Krşņa, though he has asked for you, but you are given to Siśupāla, son of Dāmaghoşa."
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
