Krishna and Rukmini

by Kamala Chandrakant, Pratap Mulick

The popular Indian hero Krishna's marriage was as exciting an event as so many others in his life. It is a popular lovers' tale, rather unique in India. Marriages in India have traditionally been set by parents. However, princely families sometimes held bride's choice contests. In the case of Rukmini, daughter of the king of Vidarbha. Her father and brother had settled on Shishupala whom she detested. Her mind was set on Krishna of whose exploits she had heard. But there was to be no bride's choice event. So Rukmini takes the initiative by writing a letter to Krishna and sends it through a confidant. Krishna who also had heard of her, decides to act on the letter. Krishna and Balarama arrive in Rukmini's town and whisk her away on their chariot to their capital Dvaraka. Balarama fights Shishupala and defeats him.

Genres: Comics, Mythology, Graphic Novels, Religion

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so much - have learned much about Hinduism from these wonderful books that many of my Indian friends tell me are a fond childhood memory. ACK books have become a favorite of mine; so many titles that let you see Indian culture from many different perspectives. Still have a pile in my room to get to!

[Anantha Narayanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice illustrations, had known little about the interactions happened with Rukmini's family when Krishna killed Kamsa.

[Sha · Rating 3 out of 5]

28 Nov 2020

1. This is basically a story of bride-stealing mostly orchestrated by the bride. The author's note points out how Rukmini's wedding is called a swayamvara (a ceremony where a princess chooses her husband from the assembled princes vying for her hand) despite it not technically being one. Which you know- is interesting because it's definitely a swayamvara (lit. Marriage of Choice) in spirit.

2. Also the comic represents Rukmini writing her note to Krishna on a banana leaf instead of anachronistic papers and I found that inexplicably charming for some reason.

3. This is a pretty straightforward story and actually more interesting in how it connects all the characters in the Mahabharata together than by itself? It also features Shishupala of the 100 offendes; I always wondered what Krishna did to piss that guy off so much and now I know.

4. It's pretty unspectacular as a love story, but sets up a lot of tension between family members and ruler/vassals. Also, Krishna reminds me again and again why I fell over laughing at this Tumblr post because accuracy.

[Luiz Santiago · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

[Varada Amonkar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Krishna and Rukmini was one of my favourite Amar Chitra Katha books my father purchased for me when I was in my 5th std and I liked this very much. Rukmini is a beautiful woman and a manifestation of Goddess Sri in the Dwapara era. Lord Krishna is a manifestation of Lord Narayan who had descended upon Bhuloka to protect humans from many evil demons. Rukmini's brother had made a promise to Shishupala the king of Chedi to marry Rukmini to him while Rukmini was devoted to Krishna and used to pray near Goddess Gauri to help her out. Rukmini was very wise and sent a message to Krishna through a Brahmin that she would wait for him the day prior to her wedding with Shishupala when the new bride had to worship Goddess Gauri in the temple and if he would not turn up, she would end her life. Krishna was moved after reading her message and reached the venue where Rukmini was present to worship Goddess Gauri while Shishupala along with his allies, was waiting for her. In front of Shishupal, Krishna pulls her into his chariot while his brother Balarama, along with his army stopped Shishupal and his men. Krishna gave a punishment to Rukmini's brother Rukmi and then with her went to Dwarika where he (Lord Vishnu) married Rukmini(Goddess Sri). The illustrations in this book are what made me to read through the pages many times! This is my favourite book in the historical section of ACK series.

[Atulit Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic steal-your-girl episode among the many engrossing tales from Indian Mythology.

[Ravi Kumar Dandapani]

nice

[Surya · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow! Shame that Rukmini did n0t even have a choice in her wedding. Ironic that many thousand years later many women these days too are in the same condition. Lucky for her, she had Krishna then.