MAARKANDEYA presents MAHAABHAARATHAM

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W E L C O M E

RUKMI

Rukmi was the eldest of five sons of king Bheeshmaka of Vidarbha province. His younger sister was Rukmini. Eventhough Rukmini loved Krishna, Rukmi decided to give her in marriage to Shishupaala. Krishna went to Vidarbha on Rukmini's private invitation and took her away defeating all the kings. Bur Rukmi chased Krishna and challenged him to fight . Krishna defeated him but did not kill, at Rukmini's request.In stead. Krishna insulted him by shaving his head and leaving alive.

Rukmi was burnt by shame and insult. He vowed not to enter his capital until he defeated Krishna. Accordingly, he built a city named Bhojakatakam and lived there itself. Later, he went to Gandhamaadanam and learnt archery fully from a Kimpurusha named Vriksha. He became an associate of Indra, who gave him a divine bow named Vijayam, one of the three divine bows ever held by the mortals (Shaarnga of Krishna and Gaandeevam of Arjuna were the other two). Rukmi was consdered to be one of the great archers of thoe days.

Just before the war, Rukmi went to the Paandavas and offered his help in the war if they were afraid of their enemies. Arjuna rejected his proud offer. Next, Rukmi went to Duryodhana and offered help the same way. An arrogant duryodhana outright rejected his offer. thus Rukmi did not participate in the war, just like Balaraama who out of his unwillingeness to take sides with either of his dear disciples, kept himself away from the war.

Later, after a few years, a dispute arose between Balaraama and Rukmi over a dice game. In that dispute, Rukmi laughed aloud at Balaraama who became outrageous at the insult and killed him on the spot.