| Rukmi | |
|---|---|
 Fresco depicting a duel between Krishna and Rukmi (right) | |
| Occupation | King of Bhojakata |
| Weapon | Vijaya (bow) |
| Family | Bhishmaka (father) Rukmini (sister) Rochana (grand-daughter) |
| Children | Rukmavati (daughter) |
| Origin | Vidarbha kingdom |
Rukmi (Sanskrit:रुक्मी) is a prince fromVidarbha kingdom attested inHindu texts. He was the eldest son of KingBhishmaka and the brother ofRukmini, who marriedKrishna. Known for his martial skills and conflicts with prominent figures like Krishna andBalarama, Rukmi's life is detailed across various sections of theMahabharata and theBhagavata Purana.
Rukmi was the son of KingBhishmaka, who was also known by the name Hiranyaroma. Bhishmaka had two children: Rukmi and his younger sisterRukmini (Mahabharata,Sabha Parva). According to theAdi Parva, he was born from a portion of theAsura named Krodhavasha.[1] According toBhagavata Purana, Rukmi had several younger brothers as well.[2]
Rukmi formed an alliance withJarasandha, the ruler ofMagadha, who held significant power and influence, commanding loyalty from various kings and regions. Rukmi’s association with him likely shaped his enmity withKrishna, theYadava leader fromDwaraka. During Jarasandha’s military campaigns, Rukmi was positioned by Jarasandha at the western gate ofMathura and on the eastern side during the siege ofGomanta. Within this context, Rukmi planned to marry his younger sister,Rukmini, toShishupala, the prince ofChedi. Shishupala was a known ally of Jarasandha and a rival of Krishna, despite being his cousin. The proposed marriage aimed to strengthen ties between Vidarbha, Magadha, and Chedi. Though Rukmini herself preferred Krishna as her suitor and her parents had initially considered, Rukmi’s decision was finalised. According toBhagavata Purana, Rukmini, however, opposed this arrangement. She sent a message to Krishna, requesting him to abduct her before the wedding to Shishupala could occur. Krishna acted on her request, taking her from Vidarbha and defeating Rukmi in the ensuing confrontation. At Rukmini’s plea, Krishna spared Rukmi’s life but humiliated him by shaving his hair and mustache and binding him to his chariot.[3]
Unable to accept this disgrace, Rukmi vowed to kill Krishna before returning to Kundina. Subsequently released byBalarama, Rukmi chose not to return to Vidarbha capitalKundina and instead established and resided inBhojakata. Rukmi traveled toKailasa and performed penance beforeShiva for three years. Pleased with his devotion, Shiva granted him a bow designed to destroy enemies, cautioning that it would break only if used againstVishnu. With this divine weapon, Rukmi returned to Bhojakata and resumed his rule. Additionally, Rukmi trained under Druma, a renownedKimpurusha (Kinnara), who taught him archery and presented him with another bow calledVijaya. This bow was considered equal in power to theGandiva, the famed weapon ofArjuna (Mahabharata). Despite this prowess, Rukmi faced defeat again at Krishna's hands.[1]
Rukmi arranged asvayamvara contest of his daughterRukmavati.Pradyumna, the son of Krishna, emerged victorious in the contest against assembled kings, securing Rukmavati and taking her away. Despite his enduring enmity toward Krishna, Rukmi permitted this union, motivated by a desire to please his sister, Rukmini. He continued to harbor resentment against Krishna.[4]
Several episodes in theMahabharata highlight Rukmi's political interactions with key figures. DuringSahadeva's regional conquests, Rukmi accepted his suzerainty (Mahabharata, Sabha Parva). Rukmi paid tribute toKarna during the latter's own conquests (Mahabharata,Vana Parva). ThePandavas invited Rukmi to join them in the impendingBharata battle (Mahabharata,Udyoga Parva).[1]
Following his defeat by Krishna, Rukmi sought peace with him. The Pandavas, aware of this shift, invited Rukmi to their palace. He arrogantly offered assistance toArjuna, promising aid if Arjuna ever feared battle. Arjuna laughed and declined the help. Rukmi then approachedDuryodhana with a similar offer, but Duryodhana also rejected him (Mahabharata, Udyoga Parva).[1]
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According toBhagavata Purana, Skandha 10, Rukmi arranged for his granddaughter, Rochana, to marryAniruddha, son of Rukmavati and Pradyumna. This decision, though inconsistent with norms against aligning with an enemy, was driven by familial affection, particularly toward Rukmini. The wedding drew Krishna,Balarama, Rukmini, Pradyumna, and other Yadavas to Bhojakata.[1][4]
Following the ceremony, tensions escalated when certain kings, including the ruler of Kalinga, goaded Rukmi into challenging Balarama to a dice game, exploiting Balarama’s perceived weakness in the activity despite his enthusiasm for it. The game proceeded with escalating wagers—initially hundreds, then thousands, and eventually millions of gold coins. Balarama lost early rounds to Rukmi, prompting mockery from the Kalinga king, which irritated Balarama. In a subsequent wager of one hundred thousand coins, Balarama won, but Rukmi falsely claimed victory. This pattern repeated with a bet of one hundred million coins; Balarama won fairly, yet Rukmi again denied it, supported by allied kings. A celestial voice intervened, affirming Balarama’s win and denouncing Rukmi’s deceit, but Rukmi dismissed it, insulting Balarama and the Yadavas as unfit for such games, reserved for royalty. Provoked, Balarama killed Rukmi with his club, also attacking the Kalinga king, breaking his teeth, and scattering the other kings in a violent reprisal.[4][1]
Similar account of Rukmi's death at Balarama's hands is also found in theHarivamsha, the appendix of theMahabharata.
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