Rukmini and Her Plan

Rukmini, the exquisitely beautiful daughter of King Bhishmaka, is also known as Ruchiranana, the one with a face expanding like a lotus flower. In ancient times, amidst the backdrop of royal customs and arranged marriages, Rukmini found herself in a deeply unfavorable predicament. Though her pious father desired her to marry Shri Krishna, arrangements were made by her brother for her to wed Shishupala, a rival to Krishna whom Rukmini had no affection for. For Rukmini, whose heart had already been captivated by the accounts of Shri Krishna's transcendental qualities, opulences, and heroic deeds, the prospect of marrying another was dreadful.

Despite the societal constraints placed upon her as a king's daughter and a dependent in society, and despite having never even seen Krishna, Rukmini displayed remarkable intelligence and unwavering devotion. Simply by hearing about Krishna from visiting saintly persons like Narada Muni, she developed a profound attachment and resolved to have Him as her husband. Faced with a seemingly insurmountable situation and with time running out before the impending marriage ceremony, Rukmini did not succumb to despair. Instead, she brilliantly conceived a daring plan.

Understanding political diplomacy, Rukmini decided to take immediate action. She penned a heartfelt message to Krishna, outlining her desire and proposing a bold course of action. To ensure her plea reached its intended recipient, she entrusted her confidential letter to a qualified brahmana. Her plan involved Krishna coming to Vidarbha and taking her away, employing what was known as the Rakshasa style of marriage – a form of marriage by abduction, often following a display of prowess. She even cleverly suggested the ideal time and location for this to occur: while she visited the temple of Goddess Durga on the day of the wedding.

The ensuing events, marked by Krishna's dramatic arrival and his triumph over objecting rivals, serve as a testament to Rukmini's intelligence, devotion, and the power of taking action in the face of adversity. This book, "Rukmini and Her Plan," delves into the intricacies of this captivating narrative, exploring not only the details of her brilliantly conceived strategy but also the profound spiritual lessons it imparts about faith, devotion, and the responsiveness of the Supreme Lord to the sincere desires of His devotees. Through Rukmini's example, we learn that even without directly perceiving the Divine, unwavering faith and a well-laid plan, grounded in devotion, can indeed alter the course of destiny.