Upon reading the letter, Krishna immediately set out for Vidarbha with his elder brother Balarama and an army. He did not wait for an invitation.
As planned, Rukmini went to the temple with her friends and guards. Inside, she prayed fervently to the Goddess: “Make Lord Krishna my husband.” Just then, she saw Krishna standing before her, smiling.
However, her brother Rukmi, a proud and powerful prince, despised Krishna. Against Rukmini’s wishes, Rukmi arranged her marriage to Shishupala, the evil king of Chedi (and Krishna’s cousin, though they were enemies). Shishupala was an ally of Rukmi and the Kauravas. rukmini swayamvar
This is not a forceful abduction but a consensual elopement—a rescue. In Hindu tradition, when a woman chooses her husband in a swayamvar, it is lawful. Rukmini had publicly chosen Krishna by stepping onto his chariot.
Unable to express her feelings openly, Rukmini sent a trusted Brahmin messenger to Dwaraka with a secret letter to Lord Krishna. In the letter, she poured out her heart: “O Krishna, slayer of Madhu, I have chosen you as my husband. Please come to Vidarbha before the sun rises on my swayamvar day. If you do not come, I will give up my life. Shishupala is unworthy, but my brother forces this marriage. Please rescue me.” She also detailed the exact time, place, and her plan: On the swayamvar day, she would go to the temple of Goddess Parvati (or Ambika) outside the city before the ceremony. That would be the perfect moment for Krishna to take her away. Upon reading the letter, Krishna immediately set out
Without a word, she stepped forward. Krishna lifted her onto his chariot and drove away at lightning speed. Rukmini’s guards and the Vidarbha army tried to stop them, but Balarama and the Yadava forces held them back.
Background: Princess Rukmini was the daughter of King Bhishmaka of Vidarbha. She was an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. From a young age, she had heard of Lord Krishna’s divine qualities, his valor, and his beauty, and she had secretly chosen him as her husband. Inside, she prayed fervently to the Goddess: “Make
Rukmi, enraged, chased Krishna with a massive army. A fierce battle ensued. Rukmi challenged Krishna and was defeated. Krishna was about to kill Rukmi, but Rukmini begged for her brother’s life, falling at Krishna’s feet. Krishna spared Rukmi but as punishment, shaved his head (a great dishonor for a prince) and let him go.