A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1532

c5.1532

RUKMINĪ. Daughter of Bhīshmaka, king of Vidarbha. According to the Hari-vansa she was sought in marriage by Krishna, with whom she fell in love. But her brother Rukmin was a friend of Kansa, whom Krishna had killed. He therefore opposed him and thwarted the match. Rukminī was then betrothed to Sisu-pāla, king of Chedi, but on her wedding day, as she was going to the temple, "Krishna saw her, took her by the hand, and carried her away in his chariot." They were pursued by her intended husband and by her brother Rukmin, but Krishna defeated them both, and took her safe to Dwārakā, where he married her. She was his principal wife and bore him a son, Pradyumna (q.v.). By him also she had nine other sons and one daughter. "These other sons were Chāru-deshna, Su-deshna, Chāru-deha, Su-shena, Chāru-gupta, Bhadra-chāru, Chāru-vinda, Su-chāru, and the very mighty Chāru; also one daughter, Chāru-matī." At Krishna's death she and seven other of his wives immolated themselves on his funeral pile.