#ashtbharya

Rukmini . Sri . Dwarkeshwari . Krishna's Soul

๋𓈒⊹ ꒰ O the one who sparkles by the beauty of all limbs! By all these I know that you the most beautiful, the daughter of the Bhoja king (Rukmini), are the second soul of Krishna ✧˚₊

श्रीरुक्मिणीचरणारविन्दार्पणमस्तु।

सिञ्जनूपुरशोभिपादकमलां मदस्मितोयन्मुखीं कञ्जाक्षीं कुचभारभीरुविलसन्मध्यां कणत्कङ्कणाम् ।

शंभ्वायैः परिसेवितां सुबसनां जाम्बूनदालंकृता- मम्बां तां प्रणतोऽस्मि कृष्णरमणीं लम्बालकां रुक्मिणीम् ।।

I salute that mother Rukmini, the most beloved consort of Lord Krishna, who has hanging forelocks & lotus- like feet that shine with the tinkling anklets. Her face is lit up with a gentle smile. Her eyes are lotus like & her lustrous waist is rather thin (or timid) due to the heaviness of the breasts. Her bangles tinkle in her arms. She is devoutly worshipped by all the gods with Brahma at their head. She is dressed in beautiful (auspicious) clothes & decorated with gold ornaments.

श्रीरुक्मिणीचरणारविन्दार्पणमस्तु

SHUBH RUKMINI ASHTAMI!!!!

(for the ones who dont know)

A lot of people only know about Rukmini Haran, but Harivamsa (Mahabharata) also gives a detailed account of Rukmini Svayamavar, to which the Yadavs weren't invited. However, Krishna being dramatic as usual (especially for his Shris) decided to disrupt the occasion. Apparently, he was so formidable and intimidating that even the Kings participating in the event requested King Bhishmak to wed Ma Rukmini to Krishna right now in order to pacify him. But as we know, Kanha lets Shri decide the auspicious time for their divine union. (btw Krishna is still in Mathura i.e, Dwarka isn't built just yet.)

Shri Krishna then proceeds to give a speech to the entire Royal court revealing the true nature of Shri Rukmini as Parashakti who has descended on earth upon the request of Brahma and other gods. Being the supreme goddess herself, she deserves only to be wedded to the Supreme lord and not to some mortal king.

" Lord Krishna: O king, I reveal to you an eternal truth, devoid of any deceit. Your daughter Rukmini, upon hearing my words, shall determine the most auspicious course of action. For, at the behest of Brahma himself, she has incarnated in your household as Rukmini, she is the supreme goddess Shri herself "

"She transcends mortal existence, and her presence at the svayamvar amidst human kings would be travesty. As the supreme Goddess, her dharma dictates that she unite with the supreme one alone."

श्रीरुक्मिणीचरणारविन्दार्पणमस्तु ।

BONUS:

*swoons with you*

*Kanha also swoons hearing about his beloved Rukmini*

मेघ श्रीमंस्त्वमसि दयितो यादवेन्द्रस्य नूनं श्रीवत्साङ्कं वयमिव भवान् ध्यायति प्रेमबद्धः।

अत्युत्कण्ठः शबलहृदयोऽस्मद्विधो बाष्पधाराः स्मृत्वा स्मृत्वा विसृजसि मुहुर्दुःखदस्तत्प्रसङ्गः॥ २०

Oh honorable cloud, you surely are a friend most dear to the Chief of the Yadavas with the Srivatsa on His chest. We are, in our meditation on pure love, just as bound to Him as your good self is. Your most eager heart is just as distraught as ours. We, just like you, remember Him over & over. And that results in torrents of rain with you, just as it time & again makes us shed streams of tears. It can be so hurtful to associate with Him!