Template:Short description {{#invoke:other uses|otheruses}} Template:Pp Template:Use Indian English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Indian English Template:Infobox deity Rukmini (Template:Langx, Template:IAST3) is a Hindu goddess and the first queen of Krishna.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> She is described as the chief of Krishna's wives in Dvārakā.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Rukmini is revered as the avatar of Lakshmi and is venerated primarily in Warkari,<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> and Haridasa tradition,Template:Citation needed and additionally in Sri Vaishnavism.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Rukmini is mainly worshipped in Maharashtra and South India. The people of Maharashtra venerate her with Vithoba (a regional form of Krishna) and call her Rakhumai.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In South India, she is worshipped along with Krishna and his and his other primary consort Satyabhama. Her birthday is celebrated every year on the occasion of Rukmini Ashtami.<ref name=":1" />

Etymology and epithetsEdit

The name Rukmini is derived from the Sanskrit word Rukma which means 'Radiant', 'Clear' or 'Bright'.<ref name = "Monier" >Template:Cite book</ref> The name can also mean 'decorated with gold ornaments'.<ref name="Chandra">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name = "Monier" /> Other names and epithets include:

  • ShreeLakshmi, Mother Goddess of the universe
  • Ruciranana – One Who Has A Beautiful Face, Expanding Like A Lotus Flower<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • Vaidarbhi – She Who Is From The Kingdom Of Vidarbha<ref name="JA">Template:Cite book</ref>
  • Bhaishmi – Daughter of Bhishmaka<ref name = "JA" />
  • Rakhumai – Mother Rukmini<ref name = "JA" />
  • Chiryauvana – One Who Is Forever Young<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • Pradyumna Janani – Mother of Pradyumna<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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LegendsEdit

BirthEdit

According to the epic Mahabharata and other Puranic scriptures, Princess Rukmini was born to Bhishmaka—the king of Vidarbha kingdom, belonging to the Bhoja dynasty.Template:Sfn She had five elder brothers—Rukmi, Rukmaratha, Rukmabahu, Rukmakesa and Rukmanetra.<ref name=":0" /> Puranas such as Vishnu Purana, Bhagavata Purana, and Padma Purana praise her as an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, the wife of God Vishnu.<ref name="Mani">Template:Cite book</ref>

Marriage to KrishnaEdit

File:Krsna Takes Rukmini Away from Devi Shrine.jpg
A painting depicting Rukmini eloping with Krishna from a temple of Ambika (Parvati).

In the Harivamsa, a supplement to Mahabharata, (Vishnu Parva, Chapter 59, Verse 35-40), it is stated about Rukmini that Template:Block quote However, according to another translation of the Harivamsa Purana text by Gita Press in Hindi, Rukimini's age when Krishna first sees her and later elopes with her she is described as being sixteen in the commentary and the translation but this is not stated in the original Sanskrit text. According to the Skanda Purana, Rukmini was eight years old when she married Krishna. Her father had a dream when his daughter was born she would marry a being with four arms when Rukmini was eight he had announced that she was ready for marriage, and that she was set to marry Shishupala the crown prince of Chedi, but Rukmini did not wish to marry Shishupala this is when she wrote a letter to Krishna to save her. It was during this time that Krishna came and eloped with and then married her.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Template:Secondary source needed

According to another translation of the Harivamsha Purana by Manmatha Nath Dutt, Rukimini's age is not stated. Template:Block quote

It is stated in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana (Krishna Janma Khanda, Chapter 105, Verses 9–14) she had reached puberty and was ready for marriage according to her father.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Template:Secondary source needed

In the Bhagavata Purana (Dasama Skandha, Chapter 53, Verse 51), she has been described as having budding breasts.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Secondary source needed

The Bhagavata Purana narrates that Rukmini once heard about Krishna and his heroic deeds, such as slaying the tyrant king Kamsa, and opposing the evil king Jarasandha. She fell in love with him and desired to marry him. The episode of Rukmini Kalyanam, and the devotion of Rukmini towards her desired husband is narrated by the sage Shuka to King Parikshit.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref>

Rukmini's parents rejoiced and gave their permission, but Rukmi – who was an ally of Jarasandha – strongly opposed it. Instead, he proposed that she marry his friend Shishupala— the crown prince of Chedi Kingdom, and a cousin of Krishna.<ref name="Mani" /><ref name="Ch51">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Efn Bhishmaka agreed, and a distressed Rukmini immediately sent for a trusted Brahmin and asked him to deliver a message to Krishna.<ref name="Mani" /> In the message, she wrote to Krishna about her love and asked him to abduct her when she visited the temple of Goddess Ambika (Parvati) before her wedding. Krishna, having received the message in Dvaraka, told the messenger to inform Rukmini that he had received her letter and would come to make her his wife. Krishna then immediately set out for Vidarbha with Balarama, his elder brother.<ref name="Ch51" /><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Meanwhile, in Vidarbha's capital Kundina, Bhishmaka had prepared for Rukmini's marriage. Rukmini grew anxious as she observed the host of kings, wondering if the Brahmin she had dispatched had not reached safely or not, and if the Almighty would assist her in her efforts. Her face grew pale and her thoughts grew distressed as she shunned herself from the rest of the world. Her sorrow of Krishna not having yet arrived to marry her yet was so immense that she refused to eat, sing to her parrot, or play her lyre.<ref name="Ayyar 1982 332"/> Shishupala, along with his allies including Jarasandha had arrived. Krishna and Balarama had also arrived, and Bhishmaka welcomed them. At the palace, Rukmini had lost all hope, but the messenger turned up and informed that Krishna had accepted her request. The next day, she went to the temple to offer her prayers to Ambika. As she proceeded towards the wedding venue, she saw Krishna and he soon swept her into his chariot with him. All of Jarasandha's forces quickly started chasing them, but they were repulsed by Balarama and his army.<ref name = "Shyam" /> Rukmi chased after Krishna and Rukmini.<ref name="bg">Template:Cite book</ref> He challenged Krishna to a fight, but was easily overpowered by the former. Rukmini begged Krishna to spare her brother's life, and the latter agreed. However, he shaved Shishupala's hair and moustache as a mark of punishment, and let him go free. Krishna and Rukmini reached Dvaraka, where they were welcomed with great pomp and ceremony, followed by a wedding.

Krishna's ruseEdit

The Bhagavata Purana describes an episode through the sage Shuka where the yet unwed Rukmini takes a bejewelled whisk and starts fanning her prospective husband Krishna, wearing an expensive girdle and a dazzling necklace. Even though he is pleased, Krishna points to the fact that the princess had been desired by a number of handsome and energetic monarchs and states that he was not their equal, and that he had also almost lost his realm rescuing her. He remarks that she had not been far-sighted in choosing him as her groom and that she must now instead choose a Kshatriya like her. Rukmini's heart shuddered, her red nails scratched the floor, and tears flowed from her eyes that were decorated with collyrium. She fell to the floor, her hair dishevelled. Krishna swiftly raised her back to her feet and assures her that he was merely joking, as householders do with their beloved. Her fear of abandonment seeping away from her, the princess eulogises him, praising his glories and addressing him as her atman, her sense of self. Krishna praises her single-minded devotion to him.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Married life and childrenEdit

File:Vittala Rakhumai Thennangur.jpg
Statue of Vittala Rakhumai, Thennangur

Though Krishna married many other women, Rukmini remained his chief consort and the queen of Dvaraka.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> When she longed for a child, Krishna flew to Kailash upon his mount Garuda, and expressed his wife's desire to Shiva. Obliging, Shiva blessed Rukmini to be the bearer of the new incarnation of Kamadeva, whom he had previously immolated with his third eye. Thus was Pradyumna born.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Many scriptures have mentioned that Rukmini and other wives of Krishna lived like sisters.

The Bhagavata Purana and Vishnu Purana states that Rukmini and Krishna had ten sons—Pradyumna, Charudeshna, Sudeshna, Charudeha, Sucharu, Charugupta, Bhadracharu, Charuchandra, Vicharu, and Charu.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name = "Mani" /><ref name = "Sinha" >Template:Cite book</ref> In the Harivamsa, Rukmini's sons are Pradyumna, Charudeshna, Charuchandra, Charugarbha, Sudangstra, Druma, Sushena, Charugupta, Charuvinda, and Chharuvahu. A different listing is found in Anushasana Parva of the Mahabharata, where Pradyumna, Charudeshna, Sucharu, Charuvesa, Yasodhana, Charusravas, Charuyasas, and Sambhu are Rukmini's sons.<ref name = "Mani" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Vishnu Puran also mentioned that Rukmini had a daughter named Charumati.<ref name="Dalal">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Tale of the scalesEdit

According to a folktale of Odisha, the divine sage Narada once arrived in Dvaraka and asked for Krishna to be given to him as alms. Krishna's 8 queens requested him to take anything else and Narada asked them to give wealth equal to Krishna's weight. They arranged for a big scale (Tulabharama) to be put up. Satyabhama put all of her coins, gems and jewellery on the scale, but it doesn't budge. Other wives gave their jewels, but it was of no use. At last, Rukmini came and put a single leaf of Tulasi on the scale and chanted that it represented her love for Krishna. The scales then became balanced. Though this story is absent in the main scriptures pertaining to Krishna's life, it is often repeated to enunciate the worth of Rukmini's love over Satyabhama's material wealth.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The only known versions of this story are from Padma Purana and Devi Bhagvata Purana, where Satyabhama succeeds in weighing Krishna normally with gold items.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Meeting SudamaEdit

In the Bhagavata Purana, another well-known incident in Rukmini's married life is narrated. When Krishna's childhood friend, Sudama, visited Dvaraka, Rukmini welcomed Sudama and gave him food. She and Krishna fanned him as he rested from his long journey. This type of devotion is a characteristic of Rukmini, an attribute of her that is prevalent.Template:Sfn

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Durvasa's curseEdit

According to the Skanda Purana, the famously short-tempered sage Durvasa met Krishna and Rukmini when he was on a pilgrimage. Durvasa asked the couple to be yoked onto his chariot while he held the reins. In the process of pulling the chariot forward, Rukmini grew exhausted and requested Krishna for water. Krishna struck his foot against the ground causing a spring of the Ganga river to appear. Observing her quench her thirst without seeking his permission, the infuriated Durvasa cursed her to be separated from her beloved Krishna. Rukmini grew perturbed and started to cry. To pacify her, Krishna blessed her with the boon that if his devotees were to only see him and not her, they would receive only half the merit.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Despite this consolation, Rukmini grew distressed due to her separation from her consort and fell unconscious. The sea-god and the sage Narada arrived to comfort her. Narada informed her that her husband - a manifestation of Vishnu - was the Supreme Being himself, he rhetorically wondered how she could expect to keep his company in an exclusive garden. The sea affirmed the divine sage's words, promising her that as the companion of Vishnu, she would always retain her permanence in his being. The goddess Bhagirathi, the personification of the Ganga, produced a richly-endowed forest on the spot, laden with fruits and flowers, quickly to be frequented by the inhabitants of Dvaraka. Durvasa vengefully burnt the forest with his powers. Rukmini grew depressed and contemplated giving up her human form. Krishna arrived and stopped her. She felt ashamed and furious with herself even as her husband reassured her of his devotion. The repentant Durvasa begged Krishna to reunite with Rukmini, and the deity consented, blessing the sage with virtue as well as saluting the river Ganga, who then became the liberator of sorrows.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

DeathEdit

After the disappearance of Krishna following the Yadu massacre in the Mausala Parva, Rukmini, along with Jambavati, self-immolated herself on the funeral pyre.<ref>Dio Mahabharate.Rukmini, the princess of Gandhara, Saivya, Haimavati, and queen Jamvabati ascended the funeral pyre."</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

IconographyEdit

File:Goddess Rukmini.jpg
Rukmini with shanka, chakra and gada in Rukmini Temple, Dwaraka

In many texts, the Brahman dispatched by Rukmini to request Krishna to elope with her on her svayamvara describes the princess poetically as bearing beautiful hands, braided tresses, and a face that resembles the moon.<ref name="Ayyar 1982 332">Template:Cite book</ref> She is consistently described as beautiful in other accounts.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Rukmini as mentioned in Hindu traditions, stands for the majesty and wealth of Krishna. Vadiraja Tirtha in Rukminisha Vijaya, describes her as Krishna's supreme beloved consort.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In south Indian iconographic tradition, Rukmini, along with Satyabhama, appear as the primary consorts of Krishna.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

According to the Vaikhanasagama, Rukmini should be depicted on the right side of Krishna, her image golden-yellow in complexion. Her hair is supposed to be tied up in a fashionable knot, and should also be adorned with flowers. Her right arm should be hanging down, and she should hold a lotus in her left hand.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> She is supposed to be adorned with various ornaments.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Literature and symbolismEdit

Rukmini in Hinduism, is revered as the goddess of fortune, and mostly appears alongside her husband Krishna. An avtara of Lakshmi, she is the chief and most beloved consort of Krishna, in various scriptures and text of Hindu traditions.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>

File:Temple Sri Sanatan - Montréal - QC - CA - Krishna & Rukmini.jpg
Krishna and Rukmini at Temple Sri Sanatan, Montreal. Rukmini always appears on the left side of Krishna.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Rukmini finds her mention in Gopala Tapani Upanishad (as Krishna's other consort),<ref>Template:Cite bookVol II, pp. 809-888. He has translated the Rāma Pūrva and Uttara-tāpinī and the Nṛsiṁha Pūrva and Uttara-tāpinī Upanishads.</ref> in the Garga Samhita (as Queen of Dvaraka),<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> in Bhagavata Purana (as Krishna's chief queen),<ref>C Mackenzie Brown (1983), The Origin and Transmission of the Two "Bhāgavata Purāṇas": A Canonical and Theological Dilemma, Journal of the American Academy of Religion, Vol. 51, No. 4, pages 551–567</ref> in Brahma Vaivarta Purana,<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> in Harivaṃśa that centres upon Dvaraka,<ref>The Mahabharata in Sanskrit: Book I: Chapter 2 in sacred-texts.com website, (MBh.1.2.69): "hari vaṃśas tataḥ parva purāṇaṃ khila saṃjñitam bhaviṣyat parva cāpy uktaṃ khileṣv evādbhutaṃ mahat." ["Hari Vamsa Purana known as Khila (supplement) and Bhavishya Parva also spoken as Khila are wonderful and great"].</ref> and in Mahabharata, mainly in the Adi Parva and the Mausala Parva.<ref>Ganguli, K.M. (1883-1896) "Mausala Parva" in The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (12 Volumes). Calcutta</ref> Rukmini is the central character of the text, Rukminisha Vijaya, that talks about her and Krishna's life before marriage and ends with their marriage.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> She also appears in the Vishnu Purana and Padma Purana (as an avatar of Lakshmi).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Citation</ref>

The Brihad Bhagavatamrita offers the following adulations to Rukmini, identifying her with Lakshmi and Krishna as the Supreme God, the source of all avatars. It states that she assumes partial avatars to accompany Krishna's avatars like Vamana and serves Krishna as his "perfectly complete divine consort".<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Narada Purana instructs a devotee on the manner of offering worship to Krishna, offering precedence to the role of Rukmini in his devotion. Rukmini is worshipped with Krishna on his left-hand side; she is equated with Rajas.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Skanda Purana describes the process of the worship of the goddess with Krishna. A devotee is said to acquire wish fulfillment, male progeny and physical beauty by pleasing Rukmini.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Worship and festivalsEdit

File:Vitthal - Rakhumai.jpg
Vithoba (left) with his consort Rakhumai at the Sion Vitthal temple, Mumbai

Rukmini's worship as the consort of Krishna precedes his association with his other consorts Radha. According to D.C. Sircar, a sculpture from Paharpur in northern Bengal, attributed to the sixth or seventh century, represents Krishna and his consort, which he concludes is likely Rukmini. Her identification with Radha is rendered unlikely by the historian, since, "we have no undoubted reference to Radha in genuine epigraphic or literary records of an early date".<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Rukmini is mainly worshipped in west and south Indian states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Her kingdom, Vidarbha, is believed to be located in present-day Maharashtra. Along with Vithoba (a regional form of Krishna), Rukmini is worshipped as "Rakhumai" in the Pandharpur region.<ref name="Pilai">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Shyam">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Rukmini is worshipped as the chief goddess in Divya Desam temples like Pandava Thoothar Perumal Temple, Parthasarathy Temple; with Krishna being the primary deity.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> She is also worshipped with her co-wife Satyabhama in temples like Thirukkavalampadi, Venugopalaswamy Temple and Rajagopalaswamy Temple.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

FestivalsEdit

Rukmini AshtamiEdit

Rukmini Ashtami is the occasion that celebrates the birth anniversary of Rukmini. It is observed on the eighth day of the waning moon in the Hindu lunar month of Pausha (December—January on the Common Era calendar). Rukmini is acknowledged with special pujas and rituals in all of the temples dedicated to Krishna, especially those in those parts of India, especially associated with him such as Mathura and Vrindavan.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite book</ref>

VasanthotsavamEdit

Vasanthotsavam is an annual Seva celebrated in Tirumala to celebrate the arrival of spring season.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Abhishekam - specifically called Snapana Thirumanjanam (Holy bathing), is performed to the utsava murthy and his consorts on all the three days. On the third day, abhishekam is performed to the idols of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanumana along with Krishna and Rukmini. Procession of the consecrated idols are taken in a procession in the evening on all the three days.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

TemplesEdit

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  • Sri Vittal Rakhumai Mandir, Dahisar, Maharashtra.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • Shri Vitthal Rukmini Temple, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • ISKCON Temple - Iskcon Kaundanyapur,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • Lakhubai Mandir Temple Dindiravan, Pandharpur, India<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • Vitthal Rukmini Mandir, New Jersey USA<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • Rukmini Panduranga Temple, Long Beach, CA<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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InfluenceEdit

File:Rukmini-Dwarakadisa 108.jpg
Rukmini at the New Dwarka Hare Krishna temple, Los Angeles

CultureEdit

The Mishmi people of Arunachal Pradesh believe that Rukmini belonged to their tribe. The plays and dances on 'Rukmini Haran' are common. There is a legend that Krishna asked the Mishmi people to cut their hair as a form of punishment for not allowing him to marry Rukmini. Due to this Idu-Mishmi people are also called "chulikata" (chuli-hair, kata- cut).<ref>Aiyadurai, A., & Lee, C. S. (2017). Living on the Sino-Indian border : The story of the Mishmis in Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India. Asian Ethnology, 76(2), 367–395.</ref>

PaintingsEdit

Rukmini's marriage to Krishna and related events have been depicted in the Kangra painting and Mandi painting.<ref>Pahari centres Arts of India: Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, Music, Dance and Handicraft, by Krishna Chaitanya. Published by Abhinav Publications, 1987. Template:ISBN. Page 62.</ref>

In popular cultureEdit

FilmsEdit

  • In the 1957 Telugu-Tamil film Mayabazar, Rukmini was portrayed by Sandhya.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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TelevisionEdit

  • In B. R. Chopra's 1988 series Mahabharat, Rukmini was portrayed by Channa Ruparel.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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NotesEdit

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See alsoEdit

ReferencesEdit

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BibliographyEdit

External linksEdit

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