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Basic Description: Rukmini
is an incarnation of the goddess Lakshmi, the shakti of the god Vishnu. Rukmini
appears when Vishnu is found in the avatar of Krishna. She
is considered the most beloved of Krishna’s wives, but still holds second place to Radha, Krishna's mistress.
Mythology:
There is
conflict between Rukmini and the gopi, Radha, who is usually pictured alongside
Krishna. ;In Hindu scripture Rukmini is often viewed as the personification
of religion.
Marrying Krishna: During the time
when Krishna ruled Dwaraka, he conquered many kingdoms, killing the evil rulers
of each one. Between all of these kings there were 16,000 women imprisoned
in the various palaces. Krishna, who most certainly loved women, did not
want these consorts to become old maids. Therefore, he married all of
them.
In addition to these wives, Krishna married eight other women.
Rukmini, the daughter of the king of Vidarbha, was a part of this group
and is considered the most important wife. She had previously been betrothed
to King Shishupala, despite the fact that she was in love with Krishna. In
order to stop the wedding, Krishna, his brother Balarama, and a group of soldiers
stormed the palace to kidnap her before the ceremony. Feelings between
Shishupala and Krishna were very poor from that point onwards.
Krishna and Rukmini had one son, a reincarnated version of Kama—the Hindu
god of love. Although Kama died, the people prayed for his return, whereupon
he was born again to this pair and named Pradyumna.
Consort: Rukmini is married to Krishna.
Sources:
Corduan,
Winfried. Neighboring Faiths. Downers Grove:
InterVarsity Press, 1998.
Moor, Edward.
The Hindu Pantheon. Los Angeles: Philosophical research society,
1976.
Thomas, P. Epics, Myths
and Legends of India. Bombay, India: D. B. Taraporevala Sons &
Co. Private Ltd, 1961.