52 / Krsna Kidnaps Rukmini

After hearing Rukmini’s statement, Lord Krsna was very pleased. He
immediately shook hands with the brahmana and said: ““My dear brahmana,
I am very glad to hear that Rukmini is anxious to marry Me, since I am
also anxious to get her hand. My mind is always absorbed in the thought
of the daughter of Bhismaka, and sometimes! cannot sleep at night because
I am thinking of her. I can understand that the marriage of Rukmini with
Sigupala has been arranged by her elder brother in a spirit of animosity
toward Me;so I am determined to give a good lesson to all of these princes.
Just as fire is extracted and utilized after manipulating ordinary wood,
similarly, after dealing with these demoniac princes, I shall bring forth
Rukmini, like fire, from their midst.”

Krsna, upon being informed of the specific date of Rukmini’s marriage,
became anxious to leave immediately. He asked His driver, Daruka, to
harness the horses for His chariot and prepare to go to the kingdom of
Vidarbha. The driver, just after hearing this order, brought Krsna’s four
special horses. The names and descriptions of these horses are mentioned
in the Padma Purana. The first one, Saivya, was greenish; the second,
Sugriva, was grayish like ice; the third, Meghapuspa, was the color of a
new cloud; and the last, Balahaka, was of ashen color. When the horses
were yoked and the chariot ready to go, Krsna helped the brahmana up
and gave him a seat by His side. Immediately they started from Dvaraka
and within one night arrived at the province of Vidarbha. The kingdom of
Dvaraka is situated in the western part of India, and Vidarbha is situated
in the northern part. They are separated by a distance of not less than
1,000 miles, but the horses were so fast that they reached their destination,
a town called Kundina, within one night, or at most, twelve hours.

King Bhismaka was not very enthusiastic about handing his daughter
over to Sigupala, but he was obliged to accept the marriage settlement due

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