Krishna and Rukmini - Why He Chose Her

The wedding rituals were complete. Rukmini sat in her chambers in Dwaraka, still unable to believe she was here, that it had all happened—the daring letter she had sent through a Brahmin, the chariot that had swept her away moments before her forced marriage to Shishupala, the battle that followed.

Krishna entered, and she rose, uncertain of how to behave with this husband who was also a king, also a god, also a stranger.

Krishna: "You're troubled,"

he said, sitting beside her.

Rukmini: "I'm overwhelmed. May I ask you something?"

Krishna: "Anything."

Rukmini: "Why me?"

Krishna raised an eyebrow.

Rukmini: "You are Krishna, The Lord of Dwaraka. Every princess in every kingdom would have accepted you gladly. Apsaras from heaven vie for your attention. You could have had anyone without the battle, the politics, the risk. Why did you respond to the letter of a princess trapped in a father's schemes?"

Krishna was quiet for a moment. Then he laughed—not mocking, but with genuine delight.

Krishna: "Do you know what that letter said, Rukmini? You wrote that you had heard of me since childhood and had already given me your heart. You wrote that if I didn't come, you would give up your body through fasting. You wrote that you would wait for me at the temple of Goddess Parvati, trusting completely that I would come."

Rukmini: "I remember what I wrote."

Krishna: "No, you don't understand. Do you know how many people pray to me daily? Millions. They ask for wealth, for children, for victory, for health. They bargain—'If you do this, I will offer that.' Their love has conditions."

He took her hand.

Krishna: "You offered nothing, Rukmini. You didn't promise temples or rituals or donations. You simply said: I love you. I am already yours. Come if you will, but my love doesn't depend on whether you come. Even if you didn't appear, I would die loving you."

Rukmini: "That is why you came? Because I expected nothing?"

Krishna: "I came because your love was complete before I arrived. You didn't love the idea of being a queen. You didn't love my wealth or my power. You loved me—whoever I was, whatever I did or didn't do for you."

Rukmini felt tears prick her eyes.

Rukmini: "But I'm just a woman. A princess of a small kingdom. I have nothing extraordinary to offer you."

Krishna: "You offered the one thing the Lord of the Universe cannot command: unconditional love. I can create worlds, Rukmini. I can destroy armies with a glance. I can grant any boon. But I cannot force someone to love me purely. That is the one gift that must be freely given."

He cupped her face.

Krishna: "You ask why I chose you? I will tell you a secret. You chose me. Long ago, across many lifetimes, you chose to love without condition. I am simply honoring that choice."

Rukmini: "And in return?"

Krishna: "In return, I give you what I give all who love like you do: Myself. Not the cosmic form, not the miracles, not the titles. Just Krishna. Forever."

Rukmini leaned into him.

Rukmini: "That is all I ever wanted."

Krishna: "I know, That's why you got it."