330 Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead

Krsna described in the Srimad-Bhdgavatam are relished by pure devotees
through submissive aural reception. They do not reject even a drop.

The story of Krsna’s marriage with Rukmin1 is described as follows.
The King of Vidarbha, Maharaja Bhismaka, was a very qualified and
devoted prince. He had five sons and only one daughter. The first son was
known as Rukmi; the second, Rukmaratha; the third, Rukmabahu; the
fourth and youngest, Rukmakeéa; and the fifth, Rukmamali. The brothers
had one young sister, Rukmini. She was beautiful and chaste and was
meant to be married to Lord Krsna. Many saintly persons and sages like
Narada Muni and others used to visit the palace of King Bhismaka.
Naturally Rukmini had a chance to talk with them, and in this way she
obtained information about Krsna. She was informed about the six
opulences of Krsna, and simply by hearing about Him, she desired to
surrender herself to His lotus feet and become His wife. Krsna had also
heard of Rukmini. She was the reservoir of all transcendental qualities:
intelligence, liberal-mindedness, exquisite beauty and righteous behavior.
Krsna therefore decided that she was fit to be His wife. All of the family
members and relatives of King Bhismaka decided that Rukmini should be
given in marriage to Krsna. However her elder brother, Rukmi, despite
the desire of the others, arranged for her marriage with Sisupala, a
determined enemy of Krsna. When the black-eyed, beautiful Rukmini
heard the settlement, she immediately became very morose. However,
being a king’s daughter, she understood political diplomacy and decided
that there was no use in simply becoming morose. Some steps should be
takenimmediately. After some deliberation, she decided to send a message
to Krsna, and so that she might not be deceived, she selected a qualified
brahmana as her messenger. Such a qualified brahmana is always truthful
and is a devotee of Visnu. Without delay, the brahmana was sent to
Dvaraka.

Reaching the gate of Dvaraka, the brahmana informed the doorkeeper of
his arrival, and the doorkeeper led him to the place where Krsna was sitting
on a golden throne. Since the brahmana had the opportunity of being
Rukminr’s messenger, he was fortunate enough to see the Supreme Person-
ality of Godhead, Krsna,who is the original cause of all causes. A brahmana
is the spiritual teacher of all the social divisions. Lord SriKrsna, in order to
teach everyone the Vedic etiquette of how to respect a brahmana, imme-
diately got up and offered him His throne. When the brahmana was seated
on the golden throne, Lord Sri Krsna began to worship him exactly in the
manner in which the demigods worship Krsna. In this way, He taught every-
one that worshiping His devotee is more valuable than worshiping Himself.
