Rukmini Teased and Rukmi Killed

Chapter 60, 61

Once, while she was lovingly serving Him, Krishna teased Rukmini and told her she had made a huge mistake by marrying Him. Krishna bluntly submitted that He was deficient in character, qualification and love for her. Hearing these painful words, Rukmini fainted in disbelief, overcome by unhappiness and fear. Seeing her reaction, Krishna immediately pacified her and explained He was only speaking in jest. Rukmini glorified the qualities of Krishna that had captured her mind, and Krishna subsequently expressed His deep appreciation for her.

Krishna’s descendants expanded to thousands when each of His queens had ten sons. In response to Maharaja Pariksit’s enquiry, Sukadeva Goswami explained why Rukmi offered his daughter to Krishna’s son, despite their enmity.

Though Rukmi was inimical to Krishna, his daughter, Rukmavati, wanted to marry Pradyumna (son of Rukmini and Krishna). Since she personally chose him, and Pradyumna valiantly fought off all the opponents, Rukmi acquiesced, and the couple eventually had a son named Aniruddha. Rukmi gave his grand- daughter in marriage to Aniruddha. After that wedding, Balarama and Rukmi played a game of dice, which led to a heated argument and the eventual death of Rukmi. Balarama then took Aniruddha and his wife to Dwaraka.