Shreemad Bhagavat Mahapuran- Canto: 10: Chapters: 52-53
After Kalayavan was reduced to ashes and Bhagwan Shree Krishna had given His darshan to King Muchukund, He returned once again to Mathurapuri. By that time, Kalayavan’s army had surrounded the city from all sides. Bhagwan destroyed that entire mlechha army and, taking all their wealth, began proceeding towards Dwarka.
At that very moment, Jarasandh, the king of Magadh, arrived there for the eighteenth time with twenty-three akshauhini armies. Seeing the immense strength of the enemy forces, Bhagwan Shree Krishna and Balram enacted a human-like pastime and swiftly fled before him.
Although not even the slightest trace of fear existed within Their hearts, Bhagwan Krishna and Balram enacted the astonishing divine pastime of fleeing as though overwhelmed with terror. Leaving behind immense royal wealth and comforts, They ran barefoot for many yojans (8 miles each) with Their tender lotus-soft feet.
It is through this Leela that the Supreme Bhagwan Krishna forever became glorified by one of His most celebrated and affectionate names, Ranachhor, which literally means “the One who leaves the battlefield.”
Jake bhay bhaybheet ho, mahaakaal barjor
Jarasandh ke bhay soee, bhaaji banyo ranachhor
Even Mahakaal, the mighty force of time and death, trembles in fear of Him. Yet that very Bhagwan, out of fear of Jarasandh, appeared to flee the battlefield and became known as Ranchhor. (Bhakti Shatak 96)
When Jarasandh saw Shree Krishna and Balram fleeing, he began to laugh and chased after Them with his army. He had no understanding of the divine power and majesty of Bhagwan Shree Krishna and Balramji.
After running a great distance, both brothers, pretending to be exhausted, climbed a very high mountain. That mountain was known as “Pravarsan” because clouds constantly showered it with rain.
When Jarasandh saw that the two brothers had hidden somewhere on the mountain and could not be found despite much searching, he ordered wood to be piled all around the mountain and set it on fire.
Seeing the edges of the mountain blazing with flames, both brothers leapt swiftly down from that mountain, which was eleven yojans (88 miles) high, crossing over the encirclement of Jarasandh’s army.
Shukdevji tells Parikshit that neither Jarasandh nor any of his soldiers saw Them. Both brothers escaped from there and returned once again to Dwarkapuri, surrounded by the ocean. Meanwhile, Jarasandh falsely concluded that Shree Krishna and Balram had perished in the fire. Satisfied with this assumption, he returned to the land of Magadh with his vast army.
After this, in Dwarka, King Raivat of Anart desh, inspired by Brahmaji, gave his daughter Revati in marriage to Balramji.
Rukmini Haran
On King Parikshit’s query, Shukdevji narrates how Bhagwan Shree Krishna defeated Shishupal, Shalva, and the other kings assembled at the swayamvar, and before everyone abducted Rukminiji, the daughter of King Bhishmak of Vidarbha and an incarnation of Lakshmiji, and married her.
Maharaj Bhishmak was the king of Vidarbha. He had five sons and one extraordinarily beautiful daughter. The eldest son was Rukmi, and his four younger brothers were Rukmarath, Rukmabahu, Rukmakesh, and Rukmamali. Their sister was the chaste and virtuous Rukmini.
When Rukminiji heard about the beauty, valour, virtues, and divine glory of Bhagwan Shree Krishna, she decided within her heart that Shree Krishna alone was worthy to be her husband. Bhagwan Shree Krishna too thought, “Rukmini possesses all auspicious qualities. She is intelligent, generous, graceful, and virtuous. She alone is worthy to be My wife.” Thus, Bhagwan also resolved to marry her.
Rukminiji’s other brothers and relatives also desired that she marry Shree Krishna. But Rukmi harboured intense hatred toward Him. He opposed the marriage and considered Shishupal to be the proper groom for his sister.
When Rukminiji learned that her elder brother intended to marry her to Shishupal, she became deeply distressed. After much thought, she immediately sent a trusted brahmin messenger to Bhagwan Shree Krishna.
When the brahmin arrived in Dwarkapuri, he saw Adipurush Bhagwan Shree Krishna seated upon a golden throne. The moment Shree Krishna saw him, He respectfully seated him upon His own seat and worshipped him just as the devatas worship Bhagwan Himself.
After honouring the brahmin guest, Bhagwan Shree Krishna asked whether his mind remained peaceful and whether he faced any difficulties in following Dharma. Then the brahmin began to deliver Rukminiji's confidential message.
Rukminiji said, “Hearing of Your virtues and the sweetness of Your divine form, my heart has become completely surrendered to You. In this world, there is no one equal to You in lineage, character, beauty, knowledge, or glory. Therefore, I have chosen You alone as my husband.
“Please come and accept me, so that Shishupal may not even touch me. If my pious deeds and worship of God have borne fruit, then please come and take my hand in marriage.
“There is a tradition in our family that before the wedding, the bride visits the temple of Goddess Girija. At that time, please come, defeat the armies of Shishupal and Jarasandh, and abduct me.”
Finally, Rukminiji declared, “If I do not receive the dust of Your lotus feet and Your grace, then I shall fast unto death, but I will never accept anyone else.” After delivering the entire message, the brahmin urged Bhagwan Shree Krishna to make a swift decision.
Hearing Rukminiji’s message, Bhagwan Shree Krishna became extremely pleased and said, “Just as Rukmini desires Me, I too desire her. My mind remains constantly absorbed in her. So much so that I cannot even sleep at night. Rukmi, out of hatred, has obstructed this marriage, but I shall certainly defeat those opposing kings in battle and bring Rukmini away.”
When Bhagwan Shree Krishna learned that the wedding time was near, He set out immediately with the brahmin on Daruk’s chariot and reached Vidarbha in a single night. Meanwhile, King Bhishmak, at Rukmi’s insistence, was arranging grand wedding preparations for Shishupal. The city was beautifully decorated, auspicious rituals were being performed by brahmins, and Rukminiji was adorned with splendid garments and ornaments.
Along with Shishupal, Jarasandh, Shalva, Dantavakra, and many other kings had arrived there with vast armies. All of them had resolved that if Bhagwan Shree Krishna came to abduct Rukmini, they would unite and fight against Him.
When Balramji heard that Shree Krishna had gone alone to Kundinpur and that there was a possibility of war, He too, out of brotherly affection, set out with a large army to assist Him.
Meanwhile, Rukminiji anxiously awaited the auspicious arrival of Shree Krishna. She wondered why Bhagwan had not yet arrived and why the brahmin messenger had not returned. Fear entered her heart that perhaps Bhagwan had found some fault in her or that even the devatas were not favourable toward her desire.
Absorbed in love for Bhagwan Shree Krishna, Rukminiji sat in anxious contemplation. Suddenly, her left eye, arm, and thigh began to twitch as an omen of auspiciousness. At that very moment, the brahmin returned and informed her that Bhagwan Shree Krishna had arrived in Vidarbha and was firmly determined to abduct her.
Bhishmakji was extremely wise and deeply devoted to God. He welcomed Shree Krishna properly, arranging suitable residence and all comforts for Him, His army, and His companions. The residents of the city, too, gathered eagerly for His darshan and silently prayed that Rukminiji should marry none other than Shree Krishna.
While the citizens were discussing that Bhagwan Shree Krishna alone was worthy of Rukminiji, she set out for the temple of Goddess Ambika. Many soldiers accompanied her for protection.
Remembering Bhagwan Shree Krishna within her heart, she walked toward the temple on foot. Her mothers and companions surrounded her on all sides, while soldiers carrying weapons accompanied the procession. Conches, mridangas, drums, and trumpets resounded along the path. Many brahmin ladies and other women walked with worship materials. Singers sang auspicious songs, and bards praised her glories.
Upon reaching the temple, Rukminiji washed her hands and feet, performed achaman, and peacefully entered the shrine. The brahmin ladies guided her in offering obeisance to Bhagwati Bhavani and Shivji. Rukminiji prayed, “O Mother Ambika! I repeatedly bow to You and to Your beloved son Ganeshji seated upon Your lap. Kindly fulfil my desire. May Bhagwan Shree Krishna alone become my husband.”
After completing the worship, she broke her vow of silence and, with hands adorned with gem-studded rings, held one of her companions' hands and emerged from the temple. Rukminiji was as enchanting as Bhagwan’s Yogmaya, capable of bewildering even the greatest warriors.
Her waist was slender and graceful, her shining earrings enhanced the beauty of her face, and she stood at the blossoming age between adolescence and youth. A sweet smile adorned her lips, and she walked with the graceful gait of a royal swan. Seeing her incomparable beauty, the assembled kings and warriors became utterly captivated.
As Rukminiji walked slowly forward, she seemed to offer all her beauty to Bhagwan Shree Krishna alone. Seeing her smile and her shy glances, the mighty kings became so enchanted that weapons slipped from their hands, and some even fell from their chariots, elephants, and horses.
In this way, while awaiting the arrival of Bhagwan Shree Krishna, Rukminiji slowly advanced. With her left hand, she brushed aside the curls falling over her face and cast shy glances toward the assembled kings. At that very moment, she beheld Shyamsundar Bhagwan Shree Krishna.
Just as Princess Rukmini was about to ascend her chariot, Bhagwan Shree Krishna, before the eyes of all, stepped over the heads of those hundreds of kings and seated her upon His Garuddhwaj chariot. Then, just as a lion claims its rightful prey from amidst jackals, Bhagwan Shree Krishna departed with Rukminiji, accompanied by Balramji and the other Yadus.
At that moment, the arrogant kings allied with Jarasandh could not tolerate this humiliation. Burning with anger, they cried out, “Shame upon us! We stood here holding our bows, yet these cowherds have stolen away our glory like deer snatching the prey of lions!”
Summary: JKYog India Online Class- Shreemad Bhagavat Katha [Hindi]- 08.05.2026
