KRSNA TEASES RUKMINI
Once, in the company of her maidservants, Queen Rukmini was personally serving her husband, Lord Krsna, by fanning Him as He relaxed on her bed. Rukmini’s quarters were extremely beautiful, boasting a canopy hung with brilliant strings of pearls, as well as effulgent jewels serving as lamps. Garlands of jasmine and other flowers hung here and there, attracting swarms of humming bees, and the spotless rays of the moon shone through the holes of the lattice windows. As aguru incense drifted out of the window holes, the breeze wafting the scent of the parijata grove carried the mood of a garden into the room. There the queen served her husband, the Supreme Lord of all the worlds, as He reclined upon an opulent pillow on her bed, which was as soft and white as the foam of milk.
From her maidservant’s hand Goddess Rukmini took a yak-hair fan with a jeweled handle, and then she began to worship her master by fanning Him. Her hand adorned with rings, bangles, and the camara fan, Rukmini looked resplendent standing near Lord Krsna. Her jeweled ankle bells tinkled, and her necklace glittered. On her hips she wore a priceless belt.
As He contemplated her, the goddess of fortune herself, Lord Krsna smiled. The Lord assumes various forms to enact His pastimes, and He was pleased that the form the goddess of fortune had assumed was just suitable for her to serve as His consort. Her charming face was adorned with curly hair, earrings, a locket on her neck, and the nectar of her bright smile. The Lord then spoke to Rukmini as follows: “I am always satisfied within Myself, and thus I care nothing for wives, children, and wealth. Why don’t you search out a suitable husband? You should definitely accept a more suitable husband, a first-glass man of the royal order who can help you achieve everything you want, both in this life and the next.”
Queen Rukmini felt extremely saddened when she heard Lord Krsna’s words. With her tender foot, effulgent with the reddish glow of her nails, she scratched the ground, and tears darkened by her eye makeup fell from her eyes. There she stood, face downward, her voice choked up by extreme sorrow.
Rukmini’s mind was overwhelmed with unhappiness, fear, and grief. Her bangles slipped from her hand, and her fan fell to the ground. ln her bewilderment she suddenly fainted, her hair scattering all about as her body fell to the ground like a plantain tree blown over by the wind.
Seeing that His beloved was so bound to Him in love that she could not understand the full meaning of His teasing, Lord Krsna felt compassion for her. Thus He quickly got down from the bed and, manifesting four arms, picked her up, gathered her hair, and caressed her face with His lotus hand.
PAINTING BY DHRTI – DEVI DASI (1986)