Rukmini and Rukmi

There was a king named Bhishmaka who ruled in the kingdom and Kundina. The king had a son named Rukmi and a daughter named Rukmini. Krishna and Rukmini wished to marry each other. But Rukmi did not like Krishna, so he refused to get his sister married off to Krishna.

Bhishmaka was also an ally of Jarasandha’s. So he agreed with Rukmi and decided to marry his daughter to Shishupala. All these allies of Jarasandha’s went to Kundina to witness the marriage and Krishna and the Yadavas also went there. But one day before the marriage was due to take place. Krishna abducted Rukmini.

Thereupon several kings like Poundraka, Dantavakra, Viduratha, Shishupala, Jarasandha and Shalva attacked the Yadavas so as to kill Krishna. But they were defeated by Balarama and the other Yadavas.

Rukmi resolved, “I will not return to Kundina without killing Krishna.” He followed Krishna with many soldiers, horses, elephants, and chariots. But Krishna easily defeated Rukmi.