In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna arriving at the temple wherein Rukmini Devi was waiting eagerly for Him. She had actually come there with her friends to offer prayers before the marriage ceremony commences, as part of the practice and instruction of her father, Rukmi. As per Rukmini Devi’s instruction, Bhagawan Krishna hides himself amidst the lawn that was adjoining the temple premises and was eagerly waiting for the moment to take the next step. At the same time, as Rukmini Devi understands that Bhagawan Krishna has reached, her face lits up with joy and a beaming smile. Upon seeing this, her friends sensed something fishy. Till that point, Rukmini Devi was crying all the time and was so glum and sad. But all of a sudden, when the sound of the Paanchajanya goes off, Rukmini Devi’s face brightens like a dazzling sun. With this, her friends also come to know that Bhagawan Krishna has arrived in the scene. They were very curious to know how He looks and where is He! They go around the premises searching for Him and with the advice of the messenger, they come to the lawn.
Finally after a bit of search here and there, Bhagawan Krishna appears from behind some bushes in the lawn. Upon seeing Bhagawan Krishna’s appearance, the friends were so astonished! All the facial features including eyes, ears, nose, smile, etc. were so handsome and charming. They exclaim with surprise and awe and say to Bhagawan Krishna thus, “Oh Bhagawan! All your facial features, body language, etc. are similar to those of Rukmini Devi’s!” Bhagawan Krishna in turn was surprised to hear this from them! He replies thus, “Oh friends! What are you saying? Am I looking like Rukmini Devi or she’s looking like me? Clarify now!” Listening to this, the friends muster up some courage and jokingly reply to Bhagawan Krishna thus, “Oh Krishna! How can you compare your features with the extraordinary beauty of Rukmini Devi? Indeed, you’re very fortunate that you’re going to marry her! You do not have any sort of beauty in any way, as compared to our Rukmini! So please consider yourself lucky that Rukmini Devi has fallen in love with you!”
Upon hearing this from her friends, Bhagawan Krishna was utterly speechless! He was so overwhelmed and happy to hear words about Rukmini Devi and this made Him so eager to see her as quickly as possible. However, Bhagawan Krishna knows within himself that Goddess Mahalakshmi is more beautiful as compared to Him in every way possible and in fact, He’s extremely happy. He replies to the friends thus, “Oh dear friends! I totally accept your points. However, please do one thing – If you keep roaming around like this in my vicinity, Rukmini’s father would understand that something is fishy here at the lawn. Hence, maintain some distance for now. We shall talk in detail after everything is over. For now, please do not come this side for sometime. Let this entire operation be secretive and a surprise for everyone!”
Saying thus, Bhagawan Krishna sends all the friends off that place and now He’s waiting alone for the right time to click. As time would have it, Rukmini Devi and her entire caravan now starts towards the temple for the “Family Deity” Puja. Bhagawan Krishna is waiting for Rukmini Devi and here she comes to the temple with all her dazzling beauty, in front of Bhagawan Krishna! As Rukmini Devi comes to that particular place, Bhagawan Krishna starts His “Plan of action”. He suddenly appears in front of Rukmini Devi within a whisker, grabs her by surprise, lifts her, places her in His chariot, and started riding it thick and fast towards Dwaaraka! As everybody looks around with awe, all of this happens within just a split of a second! This takes people totally unaware and within a moment, Rukmini Devi disappears from that spot – Once and forever! Bhagawan Krishna thus, has the last laugh! He planned all of this in a beautiful sequence and executes it with perfection!
As father Rukmi realizes what has happened, he was extremely angry and terrified. Sishupaala himself makes his way to the temple, only to find Rukmini Devi being “taken away” by Bhagawan Krishna! He was extremely angry as well, got on to his chariot, and starts chasing Bhagawan Krishna! All this happens in a dramatic style and as people including Rukmi and Jaraasantha come against Him, Bhagawan Krishna is now compelled to wage a huge battle with all of them put together! They’re not going to let Bhagawan Krishna escape just like that. It is going to go down with a huge encounter and a test of strength! The entire army of Rukmi, Sishupaala and Jaraasandha circle Bhagawan Krishna and are trying to intimidate Him into a fight!
Now what happens next? Is Bhagawan Krishna going to kill all of them? What is going to conspire now? Let’s wait till the next episode to find out! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 