Chapter 74: The Elopement of Rukmini and the Rise of Naraka
The quiet of pre-dawn Vidarbha was broken by the soft thud of galloping hooves, their rhythm echoing through the winding forest paths leading away from Maa Chandi Mandir.
Inside a gilded chariot, driven with measured urgency, sat Rukmini, her heart racing faster than the wind, and beside her, cloaked in calm divinity, sat Krishna. Their hands were entwined, the night itself bearing witness to their silent vows.
Ahead, the path curved toward freedom. Behind, war drums were beginning to beat.
---
News of Rukmini's escape thundered through Vidarbha like wildfire. In the royal court, Rukmi stood frozen, his face ashen with rage.
"He dares!" he roared, smashing the armrest of his throne. "Krishna, that cowherd prince of Dwarka, dares to steal my sister! Call the guards—assemble the army! I want them intercepted before they leave the kingdom!"
His command was absolute. Within minutes, legions of Vidarbha's finest soldiers, cavalry, and war elephants surged onto the roads leading out of the capital.
But Krishna had expected this. And he wasn't alone.
Beside the chariot, running like a windstorm, was Balarama—Tau, brother of Krishna, war incarnate, the mace-bearer whose name alone caused seasoned warriors to tremble.
As the army drew near, Krishna halted the chariot.
"Tau," he said, "the time has come."
Balarama smiled, cracking his knuckles.
"I was beginning to think they'd never catch up."
What followed was not battle—it was a massacre of pride.
Balarama leapt into the air, landed with the force of an earthquake, and began swinging his Kaumodaki mace with godlike precision. War horses reared and fled. Chariots flipped. Arrows shattered mid-flight.
Rukmi charged forward, leading the remaining men.
"Krishna! Face me, coward!"
But Krishna, holding Rukmini's hand, simply looked back.
"Your quarrel is with your own arrogance, Rukmi. Face the one you cannot defeat."
Balarama stepped forward.
The two clashed in a spectacular storm of steel and strength. But Rukmi had neither Balarama's fury nor Krishna's grace.
With one blow, Balarama shattered Rukmi's sword. With the next, he brought him to his knees.
Krishna approached the humbled prince.
"Let this defeat be your lesson. You tried to control a soul that was never yours."
He turned away. The path to Dwarka was clear.
And under the chanting of holy sages and the scent of sacred sandalwood, Krishna and Rukmini were married in the heart of the ocean city—a divine union blessed by fate itself.
But even as wedding bells rang in Dwarka, a storm raged in a different realm.
---
Vaikuntha, the realm of eternal peace. A realm untouched by time, where lotuses bloomed in heavenly lakes and divine chants flowed like wind.
Here sat Lord Vishnu, serene upon Anant Shesh, eyes half-closed in deep cosmic awareness.
But today, his tranquility was pierced.
The gates of Vaikuntha opened. Indra, the king of Devas, entered with bowed head and trembling voice.
"Prabhu... forgive my intrusion. But the realms are in peril."
Vishnu opened his eyes slowly.
"Speak, Indra. What threat shakes even the heavens?"
"It is Narakasura, O Lord. The demon son of Bhudevi and your own Varaha Avatar."
A flicker of sadness passed through Vishnu's gaze.
"Continue."
Indra's voice grew heavy.
"He has lost all restraint. He has imprisoned 16,100 maiden princesses for a twisted tantrik ritual to gain invincible strength. Even Dev Mata Aditi's earrings have been stolen. He now claims dominion over Earth and aims to invade Swarga."
A silence fell over Vaikuntha. Even the divine conch paused its chant.
"And what do you seek of me?" Vishnu asked.
Indra knelt.
"We seek a warrior, Prabhu. One who can bring Naraka to his knees. For the boon he possesses protects him from all—except his mother."
"And Bhudevi will not strike her own son."
Indra's voice broke.
"We are helpless. There is no one in Swarga who can stop him. But perhaps... there is one in Prithvilok."
Vishnu's eyes twinkled.
"You speak of Rudra."
Indra hesitated.
"Yes, Prabhu. But... will he help us?"
Vishnu rose from his serpent throne.
"Then you must go to him. Not as gods, not as rulers. But as seekers of justice. Speak from the heart. Only then will Rudra answer."
---
Meanwhile, in Mahishmati, Rudra had just returned from his private visit with Anupriya. He stood on the balcony of his palace, his silver hair dancing in the breeze.
His eyes looked distant. Then he chuckled.
"Kanha... you owe me one for that flute."
Suddenly, the guards rushed in.
"Maharaj! The sky... it parts. Devas approach!"
The skies above Mahishmati lit up with golden light. Three divine figures descended—Indra, Surya, and Agni Dev—in their radiant forms.
The court of Mahishmati fell to silence. Only Rudra remained seated.
His eyes narrowed.
"So... the gods return when they're in trouble."
Surya Dev bowed respectfully.
"O Rudra, Maharaj of Mahishmati, Forgive our intrusion. The realms are in chaos."
Rudra didn't reply.
Agni Dev stepped forward.
"We come not in arrogance. Not in command. But in supplication."
Indra removed his crown.
"We bow before you. Not as kings, but as kin. Help us, Rudra. Narakasura must be stopped."
For a moment, Rudra said nothing. Then he stood.
The air thickened with power.
"Naraka... The son of Bhudevi and Varaha. One who cannot be slain by sword, nor astra. One who believes his mother will never raise her hand against him."
He paused.
"Then we must find the mother who will."
Indra looked confused.
"But Bhudevi—"
Rudra raised a hand.
"Not Bhudevi... but her incarnation."
Agni's eyes widened.
"You mean... Satyabhama?"
Surya Dev smiled faintly.
"Yes. She is Prithvi's avatar in this age. Fierce, fearless... and fated."
Rudra turned to the court.
"Prepare my chariot. I ride to King Satrajit's court."
—
That night, in Satrajit's palace, the king tossed in his sleep. Then came a dream.
A golden light filled his room. From it emerged Surya Dev, radiant and powerful.
"My beloved devotee," he said, "you have long served me with faith. Now, your daughter's destiny calls her.
Rudra, King of Mahishmati, shall arrive by dawn. He shall request that Satyabhama accompany him to defeat Narakasura. Let her go."
Satrajit bowed in his dream.
"Anything for Dharma."
Surya Dev added:
"One more thing. When Rudra departs, ask of him a favor. Just one. It shall save you in days yet to come."
With that, the dream faded. And the stars blinked in silent witness.
—
By morning, the royal gates of Satrajit's kingdom opened. The sound of hooves echoed.
Rudra had arrived.
His presence—majestic and terrifying—shook the guards.
And in the inner chambers, Satyabhama, unaware of what fate was bringing, stood before her mirror, her reflection steady, her heart pounding.
Chapter Ends...