How Rukmini reclaims her love

Krishna wooed and married several women. As the king of Dwarka, He had eight queens in the receding order of precedence: Rukmini, Satyabhama, Jambavati, Kalindi, Mitravinda, Nagnajiti, Bhadra and Lakshmana.
Rukmini was the patrani, the chief consort. An incarnation of goddess Lakshmi, she was a paragon of beauty and all womanly virtues. Setting aside her instinctive reserve, she had written to Krishna – what is considered probably as the first love letter of the world – to abduct her before she could be given away in marriage to the Chedi prince, Shishupala.
But Satyabhama considered herself in no way lesser placed thanRukmini. After all, it was Satyabhama who had valorously fought for Krishna’s life in a fierce battle with Narakasura. Krishna was well aware of the rivalry between the two co-wives and looked forward to an opportune moment to resolve it.
That moment came when Narada Rishi came visiting Dwarka. Inspired by Vishnu, he asked Satyabhama to donate to him what she loved the most. The queen thought for a long time and said, “You have put me,O Venerable Sage, in a strange quandary. I love Krishna the most, but I can’t even think of parting with Him. At the same time, I don’t want to send you back empty handed.”
“There is a way out, Your Majesty,” offered Narada. “Donate Krishna Maharaj to me. He will be my slave. But you can get him back by giving me anything precious that weighs as much He does.”
“What if my valued possessions turn out lighter than my beloved?”
“In that case, you may ask any of your co-wives to retrieve Him by bartering hers.”
Krishna sat listening to the conversation. Satyabhama looked at Him seeking His permission. “Go ahead!” was all that He said.
Instantly, a huge balance was brought into the chamber. The other seven queens also looked on anxiously as Krishna sat smiling in one of the pans of the balance. Queen Satyabhama emptied her treasure of jewels into the other pan, but the entire bulk proved lighter than Krishna. Crestfallen, she pleaded withJambavati, Kalindi, Mitravinda, Nagnajiti, Bhadra and Lakshmana to try bartering their beloved husband with their most precious possessions. Each of them piled the counter-pan with all she thought was of value. But the pan on which sat Krishna did not rise by a hair’s breadth. Narada was jubilant as the seven queens of Dwarka stood nonplussed with their heads bowing low. The saddest of them all was Satyabhama who had started it all.
It was then that Narada made a suggestion to Satyabhama to approach Queen Rukmini. Eating her humble pie, she went to Rukmini’s chamber and told her of all that had transpired. Rukmini came running to the spot, forgetting her royal dignity. Paying obeisance to Rishi Narada, she looked with her teary eyes at her beloved and delicately placed just a leaf of sacred tulsi on the counterpan. True love had won! Krishna Bhagwan proved lighter than a leaf of tulsi offered in the earnestness of devotion.
Krishna Bhagwan got up from the balance-pan and took Queen Rukmini by hand, as an ecstatic Rishi Narada bowed to them. Satyabhama had learnt a lesson of her life.
In love, there is no place for rivalry, jealousy or ostentation. True love by itself stands its testimony.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here