Rukmini Harana

Dadi: "Guddu, what would you do if you really wanted something, but everyone around you said you couldn't have it?"

Guddu: "I'd try to find a way anyway!"

Dadi: "That's exactly what Princess Rukmini did. She wanted to marry Krishna, and nothing - not her family, not armies, not kings - could stop her."

Guddu: "Tell me the story, Dadi!"

Dadi: "Rukmini was the princess of Vidarbha, famous across all kingdoms for her beauty, wisdom, and virtue. She had never met Krishna, but from the moment she heard stories about him - how he lifted Govardhana hill, how he defeated demons, how he played his flute - her heart was captured."

Guddu: "Love at first... story?"

Dadi: "Ha! Yes! She decided Krishna would be her husband, or no one at all. And in faraway Dwaraka, Krishna had heard of Rukmini's beauty and goodness. He desired her as his queen."

Guddu: "So what was the problem?"

Dadi: "Rukmini's brother Rukmi! He hated Krishna. Rukmi was friends with Shishupala, Krishna's cousin and bitter enemy, and he had already promised his sister to Shishupala. The wedding date was set!"

Guddu: "Oh no! What did Rukmini do?"

Dadi: "She wrote a letter - the bravest letter ever written. She found a trusted Brahmin and said, "Take this to Dwaraka. Give it only to Krishna himself. My life depends on it.""

Guddu: "What did the letter say?"

Dadi: "It said: "I have loved you without meeting you. Tomorrow they will marry me to Shishupala. I cannot bear it. Before the wedding, I must visit the temple of Goddess Parvati. If you come there... take me. If you don't come, I will end my life rather than marry another.""

Guddu: "That's so bold!"

Dadi: "Krishna read the letter and didn't hesitate for even a moment. He ordered his chariot and rode through the night. By dawn, he was outside Vidarbha."

Guddu: "Did anyone try to stop him?"

Dadi: "The whole city was preparing for the wedding! Shishupala was there, strutting around. Jarasandha, the most powerful king and Krishna's enemy, had brought an army. Dozens of kings who wanted Rukmini for themselves were present. They all waited to make sure Krishna couldn't interfere."

Guddu: "It sounds impossible!"

Dadi: "On the morning of the wedding, Rukmini walked to the temple to pray. Her heart was pounding - would Krishna come? She entered the temple and prayed with all her heart: "Mother Parvati, let Krishna be my husband. If not... take my life.""

Guddu: "And then?"

Dadi: "She stepped out of the temple and saw armies everywhere. Her heart sank. Then she saw it - a chariot with the flag of Garuda. And standing beside it, dark-skinned and smiling..."

Guddu: "Krishna!"

Dadi: "Their eyes met across the crowd. A lifetime of longing passed between them in that instant. Rukmini walked toward him. The crowd parted, confused. Her attendants called after her. She didn't stop."

Guddu: "What happened?"

Dadi: "She reached Krishna. He took her hand, lifted her into his chariot, and they were gone!"

Guddu: "Just like that? What about all the armies?"

Dadi: "They gave chase! Shishupala was furious. But Krishna's brother Balarama intercepted them with the Yadava army. While the battle raged, only one person caught up with Krishna - Rukmi, Rukmini's brother."

Guddu: "Did Krishna fight him?"

Dadi: "Rukmi challenged Krishna to single combat. Krishna easily defeated him and was about to kill him when Rukmini spoke."

Guddu: "What did she say?"

Dadi: ""He is foolish and arrogant, but he is still my brother. Please spare him." Krishna couldn't refuse his bride. Instead, he shaved Rukmi's head and mustache - a mark of humiliation - and let him go."

Guddu: "So Krishna and Rukmini got married?"

Dadi: "That very evening, in Dwaraka! Simple vows before the sacred fire. Two hearts that had found each other across kingdoms and obstacles, united at last."

Guddu: "Dadi, Rukmini was really brave to write that letter!"

Dadi: "She was, beta. She knew what she wanted and had the courage to fight for it. She didn't just wait and hope - she took action. She risked everything."

Guddu: "And Krishna came because he knew she was worth it?"

Dadi: "He came because her love was pure and her faith was absolute. That's the power of true devotion - it calls to the Divine, and the Divine answers. Rukmini didn't have armies or weapons. She had only her love and her courage. And that was enough."

Guddu: "Their love story sounds like a movie!"

Dadi: "Better than any movie, beta. Because it's a story about how love and faith together can conquer any obstacle - even armies of kings and demons. When your heart calls out with perfect sincerity, the universe moves to answer."