Rukmini Swayamvara - The Abduction of the Princess

Dadi: "Guddu, you've heard of arranged marriages, right? Tonight I'll tell you about a princess who arranged her own un-arranged marriage!"

Guddu: "What do you mean, Dadi?"

Dadi: "Rukmini's family had arranged her marriage to someone she didn't want. But she had already given her heart to someone else - Krishna. And she wasn't going to just accept what others had decided for her."

Guddu: "What did she do?"

Dadi: "She did something remarkable - she sent Krishna a secret letter. "I have loved you since childhood," she wrote, "even though we've never met. Tomorrow they will marry me to Shishupala. But I would rather die than marry anyone but you.""

Guddu: "That's so dramatic!"

Dadi: "It gets better. She told him her plan: "In the morning, before the wedding, I must visit the temple of Goddess Parvati. I will come out alone. If you are there... take me.""

Guddu: "She was asking him to... steal her?"

Dadi: "To rescue her! Krishna read the letter and rode through the night. By morning, he stood outside Vidarbha, waiting by his chariot."

Guddu: "What was happening inside the city?"

Dadi: "Chaos! Shishupala, her intended groom, was preening and proud. Her brother Rukmi was overseeing the arrangements. Armies had gathered - everyone knew Krishna might try something, and they were ready to stop him."

Guddu: "So how could he possibly succeed?"

Dadi: "Rukmini had faith. She walked to the temple surrounded by guards and attendants. She entered, prayed to Parvati with all her heart, and then stepped outside. Her eyes searched the crowd..."

Guddu: "Was Krishna there?"

Dadi: "He was! Standing beside his chariot like a warrior dressed for love. Their eyes met. Rukmini walked toward him, through the crowd, past her guards, ignoring the calls of her attendants."

Guddu: "Didn't anyone stop her?"

Dadi: "They were too shocked! Before anyone could react, Krishna lifted her into his chariot and they were racing away. By the time the alarm went up, they were already disappearing across the plain."

Guddu: "That's so exciting!"

Dadi: "The chase began! Shishupala screamed for soldiers. The kings gave pursuit. But Krishna's chariot was faster, and his smile was brighter. They flew across the land toward Dwaraka."

Guddu: "Did anyone catch up?"

Dadi: "Only Rukmi, Rukmini's proud brother. He was too angry to wait for the army. He challenged Krishna to single combat."

Guddu: "What happened?"

Dadi: "Krishna defeated him easily - broke his bow, destroyed his chariot, and was about to end his life. Then came the most beautiful moment of the story."

Guddu: "What?"

Dadi: "Rukmini, this fierce princess who had defied her whole family, fell at Krishna's feet and begged for mercy. "He is foolish and cruel, but he is still my brother. Please don't kill him.""

Guddu: "Did Krishna listen?"

Dadi: "How could he refuse the woman who had risked everything for him? He sheathed his sword. Instead of death, he gave Rukmi humiliation - shaved his head as a mark of defeat - and let him go."

Guddu: "That was merciful!"

Dadi: "And wise. Rukmini had shown that even in victory, even when you have every right to be angry, you can choose compassion."

Guddu: "They got married that same day, right?"

Dadi: "That very evening. Simple Vedic rites, sacred fire, eternal vows. "You came," Rukmini whispered as they circled the flames. "I wrote one letter, and you came.""

Guddu: "What did Krishna say?"

Dadi: "He smiled and said, "You wrote the truth. What else could I do but answer? Besides... even if the letter had been lost, I would have heard your heart calling. It was loud enough to reach across worlds.""

Guddu: "Dadi, this story is so romantic!"

Dadi: "It is, beta. But it's also about courage. Rukmini didn't sit and cry about her fate. She didn't meekly accept what others decided for her. She knew what she wanted, and she found a way to make it happen."

Guddu: "She took control of her own story."

Dadi: "Exactly! That's a lesson for all of us. Sometimes life puts us in situations we didn't choose. But we always have the power to write our own letters, make our own plans, and take action. Fortune favors the brave, beta. Rukmini proved that."

Guddu: "And true love finds a way!"

Dadi: "Always. When two hearts are meant to be together, armies can't stop them, families can't separate them, and obstacles only make the meeting sweeter. That's the story of Krishna and Rukmini - a love that began with a letter and continues for eternity."