Krishna was now in Dwarika. He was no more the boy of Mathura. He had grown into an adult. Naturally, like all human beings he too fell for the cupid’s arrows. That is, he too fell in love like a typical human being. But it was not a one-sided story. Nor was it a smooth love affair. Let us discuss this love story in this episode.
There was a King by name Bhishmaka who ruled over Vidarbha in central India. He had 5 sons and one daughter. Eldest of his sons was Rukmi. And his only daughter was called Rukmini. Rukmini was around 16 years of age at that time. She was well known for her beauty. Lot of princes were eager to marry her. One among them was Shishupala a friend of Rukmi. Rukmi had even promised to Shishupala that he would marry his sister to him.
But unfortunately, Rukmini had someone else in her mind. She had heard so much about Krishna that she had fallen in love with him. She had never even met Krishna and it was almost a one-sided affair. She wanted to marry him and none else. Her father Bhishmaka had no objection to her marrying Krishna. But Rukmi did not approve of that choice since he had already promised Shishupala.
What was Rukmini going to do in such a case? She was an adult and definitely had her say. But she did not want to confront her elders. At the same time, she could think of none other than Krishna as her husband.
In those days different types of marriages were prevalent in India. The most preferred way was what is called Braahma Vivaha. This was the way most upper caste Brahmins married. In such marriages, the father of the girl would choose a suitable, educated boy for his daughter and marry her to him. It was mostly decided by parents on both sides. In rare cases, the girl could refuse, but generally, the marriages used to fructify since both the boy and the girl were obedient to their parents and considered them as their well-wishers.
But among the Kshatriyas or the warrior class, what was usually followed was Swayamvara – self choice marriage. In this case too, the girl’s father almost decided the boy for his girl. But instead of a specific one, he would normally select a panel of prospective grooms and the girl could choose one among them. The girl even had the option to reject all the grooms if she did not find anyone suitable to her. Often her choice was based on the valor and family standing of the groom. Sometimes these prospective grooms were subjected to some tests through which they were supposed to satisfy the girl about their valor.
The society also had the Vaishyas or the business class. They gave more importance to wealth and financial status. In their case, it was the boy who would woo a girl by gifting her treasures and other luxuries. Such marriages were called Aarsh Vivaha.
The fourth class of the society namely the Shudras who were generally slaves to their masters had no specific preferred way of marriage.
Apart from these 4 classes of human beings, ancient India also talked about non-human or celestial beings. Among them, there were the Devas. The accepted form of marriage for them was the so called Gaandharva Vivaha. In this marriage, consenting boy and girl would choose each other and marry with or without the parents being involved. Such marriages could be held publicly or in most cases privately.
There were other non-human beings. There were the Rakshasas who are generally cruel in nature. They practiced what is called Raakshasa Vivaha. In this form of marriage, the groom would abduct the girl and marry her without the consent of her parents.
The worst form of marriage was practiced among the Paishachas or the evil spirits. In their case, the boy would forcibly take hold of the girl against her wish, may be even by torturing her if needed, and forcibly marry her. That form of marriage was called Paishaachika Vivaha . This form of marriage was often scorned upon.
Though each class had a preferred form of marriage, they were also free to settle for some other form depending on the circumstances.
Now what kind of marriage was suitable for Rukmini? She could not marry according to the Braahma Vivaha since her brother Rukmi would never allow her father to choose Krishna as her husband. For the same reason, she could not go through a Swayamvara which was the most preferred form for a Kshatriya girl like her. Aarsha Vivaha was not for her class of people. She could not have a Gandharva Vivaha since she had never met Krishna, nor was she sure that Krishna would be interested in her.
That left the only choice of Raakshasa Vivaha. Accordingly, Rukmini sent a messenger to Krishna expressing her love to him and also explaining the delicate situation she was in. She begged Krishna to marry her in the Rakshasa style since there was no other choice! What it means is that Rukmini wanted Krishna to abduct and marry her against the wishes of her elders.
The messenger travelled to Dwarika and handed over the message of Rukmini to Krishna. It so happened that even Krishna had heard a lot about Rukmini and he too was keenly interested in her. So, Krishna readily agreed to the proposal. He sent a reply informing Rukmini his acceptance. He also suggested her to wait for him in a secluded place so that he could kidnap her and marry her the way the Raakshasas did.
Unmindful of all this, Rukmi arranged the Swayamvara for Rukmini. He invited many princes – Jarasandha, Dantavakra, as well as his close friend Shishupala among them. It was almost certain that Shishupala would marry Rukmini. The Swayamvara was just a formality. At least that was what Rukmi expected.
On the wedding day, all the princes had arrived. The bride was ready. It was a tense moment for Rukmini. What if Krishna did not arrive on time? That would either force her to marry Shishupala or have a rift with her brother. She loved her brother. But she was not willing to choose anyone other than Krishna.
As promised, Krishna stealthily arrived in the marriage venue. Balarama who anticipated trouble, marched with his army closely behind Krishna. The bride Rukmini along with her best maids and a small band of guards reached the temple outside the palace in the garb of offering prayers to Goddess. She was eagerly looking around for Krishna.
Krishna did not disappoint her. True to his promise, he suddenly appeared from nowhere and held the hand of Rumini. He lovingly led her to his chariot and started driving away towards Dwarika. The small band of soldiers could not stop him. They could only run and report to Rukmi about whatever had happened.
Rukmi was furious. He started chasing Krishna with a vast army. There was fierce battle and finally, Rukmi was completely defeated by Krishna. Krishna was about to kill Rukmi, but Rukmini fell to his feet and prayed him to spare her brother. Balarama too suggested Krishna not to kill Rukmi. And finally, Rukmi was freed with his head shaven which is considered to be a great punishment for any self-respecting Kshatriya.
Krishna took Rukmini to his Dwarika and married her as per her wish. But in the process, he bought enmity with two great warriors Rukmi and Shisupala. Shishupala not only lost his bride but was also humiliated by the way Krishna snatched her from him. He could do nothing but be a silent spectator to the entire drama.
Let us continue the story in the next episode.
Interesting information about various forms of marriage of those days!
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