Devotees Perform Kanyadaan During Rukmini-Sri Krishna Marriage Leela
Mathura: During the ongoing Gaurang Leela being organized at Chitrakoot by Shri Ramayan Pracharini Samiti, Swami Krishnamurari presented the sacred Rukmini Sri Krishna Marriage Leela, depicting the divine events that ultimately led to the marriage of Princess Rukmini and Lord Krishna.
The Leela began with Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi seated upon the divine Shesh Shaiyya. During their discussion, the thought arose as to whose importance and recognition among them was supreme. To explore this, both assumed the forms of a saint and a female ascetic and arrived at the home of a wealthy merchant and his wife seeking food.
The saint placed a condition before the merchant, saying that although he would accompany him according to the merchant’s wishes, he would return only according to his own will. The female ascetic also established a condition that she would dine only in gold and silver utensils and would never use the same utensils twice.
As circumstances unfolded, the merchant was compelled to send away the saint, who was in reality Lord Narayan in disguise. When Goddess Lakshmi departed without informing anyone, a series of curses followed. Lakshmi was destined to take birth in Dwapar Yuga as a woman, while the merchant would be reborn as her brother and eventually suffer humiliation through the cutting of his nose.
In Dwapar Yuga, Goddess Lakshmi took birth as Princess Rukmini in the household of King Bhishma of Vidarbha, while the merchant was reborn as her brother Rukmi.
At this point, Narad Muni arrived in King Bhishma’s court and was invited to meet Princess Rukmini. He reassured the worried princess and declared that she was none other than the manifestation of Goddess Lakshmi herself. Therefore, the only worthy groom for her was Nandnandan Shri Krishna.
However, Rukmi strongly opposed the idea. He expressed anger at the suggestion of marrying his sister to Krishna, whom he described as a wanderer and fugitive. Instead, he had already chosen King Shishupal as her prospective groom.
Rukmini was unwilling to accept this arrangement. Yet King Bhishma found himself helpless before the wishes of his son. Preparations for Rukmini’s marriage to Shishupal began, and ceremonial invitations were sent.
Unable to suppress her feelings, Rukmini shared her heart with her sister-in-law. She was advised to send a secret message to Shri Krishna through a priest. In the letter, Rukmini informed Krishna that she would visit the temple of Goddess Gauri under the pretext of worship and that if he did not come to take her away, she would give up her life.
Upon receiving the message, Lord Krishna immediately set out for Kundanpur, leaving instructions for his brother Balaram, Akrur Ji, and their forces to follow. Soon afterward, Balaram and Akrur arrived with the army. Meanwhile, Shishupal summoned Jarasandha and other warriors with their forces to strengthen his side.
Under heavy security, Rukmini left the palace to visit the temple for Gauri worship. It was here that a fierce battle erupted among the armies of Shishupal, Jarasandha, Krishna, and Balaram.
During the conflict, Lord Krishna overpowered Shishupal and was on the verge of killing him. However, at the earnest request of Rukmini, Krishna spared his life. Instead, he cut half of Shishupal’s moustache, publicly humiliating him. Unable to bear the disgrace, Shishupal did not return to his kingdom and is said to have established a settlement known as Bhojpur.
King Bhishma rejoiced upon witnessing the fulfillment of Narad Muni’s prophecy. Acknowledging that the divine prediction had come true, he declared that he too should travel to Dwarka along with his family members and community representatives to perform the sacred Kanyadaan of his daughter Rukmini.
The morning Leela session also included a dramatic presentation depicting the reunion of Sati Mata and Nimai Ji.
The event was conducted by Lachhman Prasad Yadav. The divine forms were worshipped with Aarti by Raya Chairman Rajkumar Agrawal, Brijgopal Agrawal, Kalyandas Brijwasi, Mahesh Chandra Kasere, Madan Mohan Agrawal (Advocate), Moolchand Garg, Rajendra Prasad Agrawal, and Avadhesh Agrawal.
The spiritually enriching presentation drew devotees deep into the divine narrative of faith, devotion, destiny, and the eternal union of Lord Krishna and Goddess Rukmini, leaving the audience immersed in devotion and reverence.
— Lachhman Prasad Yadav
(General Secretary)