King Bhishmaka of Vidarbha had five sons, Rukmin, Rukmaratha, Rukma-vahu, Rukma-kesa, and Rukma-malin. He had also one daughter Rukmini. (_Rukma_ means bright, radiant, also gold). Krishna and Rukmini had heard of each other and they made a vow of marriage. Rukmin however betrothed his sister to Sisupâla, son of the king of Chedi. Rukmini secretly sent a Brâhmana messenger to Krishna and gave him a letter. The Brâhmana was received well by Krishna. He read out the following letter of Rukmini. "O Achyuta, thou most lovely of all, my mind has forced through all false shame and has become attached to thee, for I have heard of thy excellences, which reach the ear only to remove all sufferings and I have heard of thy beauty, which gives all that is desired to the seer thereof. "O Mukunda, O Nrisinha, where is the girl, however wellborn, modest and great she may be, that will not choose thee as her husband, unequalled as thou art in birth, grace, beauty, wisdom and riches, and the most pleasing to all mankind. "Therefore thou art chosen by me as my husband. I offer myself up to thee. Come thou here and make me thy wife. Thou dost deserve to have me soon. Let not Sisupâla touch me, like a jackal touching the share of a lion. "If I have done virtuous acts, if I have rightly served the great Lord Śiva, then come, O brother of Râma, and hold my hand and let not others do so. The day after to-morrow is fixed for my marriage. Come thou unnoticed. Defeat Sisupâla and others and carry me away by force in the Râkshasa form of marriage. "I shall tell you how it will not be necessary to kill my friends within the house. The day before the marriage there will be a large gathering outside the town to worship the goddess Durga, and I as bride shall be present there." The message was thus delivered. Sri Krishna vowed to marry Rukmini by force. He ordered Daruka (His charioteer) to bring the chariot. Then he took the Brâhmana with him and reached Kundina, the town of Bhishmaka, in one day. Kundina was gay with preparations for the marriage. Dama Ghosa, the father of Sisupâla, also made grand preparations. He came with a large retinue to Kundina. Bhishmaka went out to receive him, and led him to his quarters. Sâlva, Jarâsandha, Dantavakra, Viduratha, Paundraka, and many other kings, friendly to Dama Ghosha joined him with large armies. They anticipated a fight with Krishna and Râma and they came well prepared for the occasion. Râma heard that Krishna went all alone and he heard of the preparations made by his enemies. So he lost no time in gathering a large army and marching for Kundina. Bhishmaka heard of the approach of Krishna and Râma. He gladly received them and gave them quarters. Rukmini, guarded by the army, went to the temple of Durga with her companions. She worshipped the Goddess and prayed for Krishna as her husband. She then left the temple and was about to get into the chariot when Sri Krishna carried her off by force in his own chariot.