RUKMINI: KRISHNA’S WIFE

After a series of successful books on powerful female protagonists, Saiswaroopa Iyer's latest novel is out. Her previous book was on the most powerful female character of the Mahabharata, Draupadi. This book is on another equally strong female character - Krishna's wife Rukmini.Everyone knows about how Rukmini's marriage was fixed with Shishupala and how she was opposed to it. We know of how Krishna took her away right from the nose of her brother and married her. But how did it all happen? The complete story is presented in the first part of this book and it makes for a racy read.Saiswaroopa has highlighted the politics in Bharatavarsha during those times. The tribulations of the Yadavas, the might and influence of Jarasandha, the helplessness of kings of those times, the importance of Panchala - all these are brought out in a highly interesting way making the book a real exciting page-turner.Another key aspect brought out in this book is the governance in the Yadava kingdom. The book explains the republican form of governance with a detailed exposition on the decision-making process. It highlights the role women played in the republican government.Key incidents like Shishupala's surprise attack on Dwaraka, the hatred for Krishna by Jarasandha loyalists, and the struggles of Krishna are brilliantly brought out.One of the most important highlights of this book is how the author brings out the personality of Rukmini. The intelligence of Rukmini, her valour, her determination, her confidence, her insecurities, her moments of weaknesses, and how she overcome her shortcomings to stand by the man she loves and becomes the saviour of Dwaraka has been brought out excellently.The depiction of Krishna's character is another interesting feature of this novel. He is a God but presented as a normal human, worried about his people, his wife, and of the fate of Bharata. Nowhere does the novel create a larger than life image of Krishna. The enigmatic personality of Krishna is another feature of the book I loved.The story of Rukmini is the story of a queen who stood by her husband at every single stage. If he was the Lord who changed the destiny of Bharata and upheld Dharma, his queen had a key role in it. The book brings out this role. The story of Rukmini is the story of how a strong personality can play a role in changing destiny.If I write more, I will be revealing more about the story, which I don't want to do. If you haven't got this yet, grab it today. It is one of Saiswaroopa's best yet. Whether you revere the Lord and the Goddess of wealth or love the Mahabharata or just simply want to read about a powerful queen, this book is for you!

This book written by Sai Swaroopa iyer is based on Rukmini wife of Lord Krishna. The story is a creative masterpiece weaved around Rukmini and Krishna that is strongly backed by the scriptures and Ithihasa. I would like to congratulate Sai Swaroopa for keeping the harmony between storytelling and the essence of the original Katha.The author speaks about the various array of events happening in the life of Krishna from Rukmini’s perceptive.Almost everyone is well acquainted with the storyline of how Rukmini’s marriage was fixed with Shishupala much against her wishes. How she sent a letter to Krishna who in turn took her right under the nose of Jarasandha and his minions married her in Dwaraka. But does her role stop here? Was she just a woman contented by living life inside four walls of Krishna's Palace singing and worshipping Tulsi Devi? No Krishna’s Rukmini cannot be like that. She has to be a strong-willed woman and committed to Krishna in all the decisions he takes for the betterment of Bharatvarsha like a perfect arthaangini for Krishna.I have to thank Sai Swaroopa for bringing this book to Rukmini. Atlast Rukmini gets her due. The way how the author chose to weave the incidents shows her expertise in Mahabharata and Bhagavata. The story starts with Vidahrbha giving glimpses of Rukmini’s youth and how she started to love Krishna. She was defiant when jarasandha announced her betrothal to Shishupala and dared to comfort Damaghosha openly declaring her love for Krishna. The book is a page-turner. How she married Krishna, her contribution to Yadava confederacy Sudharma. How she managed to forgive and reconcile with her brother, how she loathed Shishupala. Her fight with Dantavakra showed a warrior inside her! The story took a juicy turn when Abhaya(the author’s protagonist from her first book) came to help her in that uneven fight with Dantavakra. Speechless.I would like to appreciate Sai Swaroopa for bringing out beautifully other characters like Mitravinda Bhadra Lakshmana. How synchronous these wives of Krishna were with Rukmini and helping her, in turn, supporting Krishna. Also, the portrayal of Satyabhama was a surprise. We were always told that Satyabhama was haughty and jealous of Rukmini. This book breaks that image. Also, the friendship between Draupadi and Rukmini was heartwarming. The ending of the book made me speechless. The book made me laugh at times, ecstatic at some point even cry briefly. At last, I felt one with Krishna. I would highly recommend this book to all lovers of Mahabharata.

The book contains the story of Dwarka and Krishna from the viewpoint of Krishna’s first wife - Rukmini. It starts with when they met in the ashram and goes upto the end of their life when they moved into an ashram, forgetting the sansar and the worldly pleasures.The language and emotions depicted are extraordinary. The way the equation would have been, with krishna’s 8 wives, the way she handles all the fame, glory, all the battles Krishna fought, the mahayuddh, the camaraderie with Pandavas and Draupadi - everything is mentioned here.I love women’s point of view because they, even though see a big picture, but with minute details.Throughly enjoyed reading this one.- Review by Nidhi Bhatt.

First off, I wouldn’t have believed that an entire book could be written on one of Krishna’s wives. Abhaya, another lovely work by the same author, should have prepared me for it. But this book still was a surprise. And what a beautiful surprise it was!The protagonist is a strong woman- headstrong, stubborn, impulsive, rebellious, at times absolutely thoughtless and immature- but her heart is in the right place and her elevated sense of justice never lets her get on your nerves. She is intelligent and a keen learner, as well as quite a warrior. She always has a sense of higher purpose and works for it tirelessly, with everything she has. Sounds too good to be true, but the way it’s written doesn’t let it become too much. And towards the end, she grows into this sagacious matriarch that knows not just how to wield power, but also when to relinquish it.And then there’s her man. The way in which Krishna has been written will make you fall in love with him. He’s charismatic, charming, enigmatic, unpredictable...but more than that, as in Abhaya, he is someone who inspires others to go the extra mile. He doesn’t hold Rukmini’s hand to lead her, but to inspire her to lead others. She becomes a power center in her own right, not merely his shadow, and that’s captured very well. When you read him, you realize that he needed a strong woman like Rukmini to even keep up with him.Their relationship is what forms the core of the book, and it’s very well written. Strong woman that she is, she’s also a woman in love with a man that can’t be contained by anything in this world. Her insecurities, frustration, anxiety, anger, coldness...it’s a treat to read. The relationship sees many phases, and the coming together of the two after an age passes by was a beautiful moment.One of the highlights of the book is the political backdrop of the tumultuous times. Krishna was a very busy man because of the times he lived in. How he brought about so many things to pass, and how Rukmini was right there with him, is something to look forward to. Also the descriptions of the way Yadava confederacy worked.I loved reading every bit of it. Definitely would recommend.

From the very beginning, this book felt more like a work of devotion than one written to showcase scholarship or to provide mere entertainment. Therefore, in my opinion, this book is best enjoyed when approached in the same manner or with at least an open mind. It also helps if the reader has even some vague familiarity with Lord Krishna’s life on the earth.Before this book, my idea of Rukmini was limited to that of a shy, pious, soft spoken lady. It never struck me that Rukmini could have played a significant role as Krishna’s foremost consort, beyond her coyness and piety. This book breaks that barrier.The author, Sai Swaroopa Iyer, traces the life of Mother Rukmini (part tale) from pre-marital life until Krishna left His physical body. She takes us through Rukmini’s mental/spiritual evolution from His lover to His Shakti - one who defines His purpose. The author weaves several “Dharma Sookshmas” (nuances) along with various episodes in this very riveting read. While doing so, she brings our attention to the fact that Rukmini was a strong warrior princess who stood up to oppressive patriarchy and not a mere helpless “damsel in distress”. Being Krishna’s wife and confidant was far from idyllic, and was fraught with constant trials and tribulations. All affairs of Dwaraka demanded active participation of women in state affairs, requiring Rukmini to lead from the forefront.Reading this book, I was reminded of Saint Thyagaraja’s words in the context of Sita(another incarnation of Mahalakshmi) - “Paramaatmunikai Gaditeri Sadaa Sirulicchutaki Cheri Kolichina Nee Sari Yevvare, Sri Janaki!” O Janaki! Who can equal you, who not only rise up to the challenging tasks taken up by Parimatma, but also always bestow Him with all auspiciousness?Namostu Nandaatmaja Vallabhaayai!

Whilst sometimes novels on the Mahabharata tend to stray from the main character of the novel, this one didn't. Rukmini had a role to play in every major event. Finally a novel on this remarkable Devi who was quite strong and outspoken for a woman of her times. Whilst, I love and admire the other women, such as Draupadi and Subhadra, this novel has made Rukmini my favourite. Her extreme love for Shri Krishna did not make her weak but one who even stood up to him.