Rukmi, the brother of Rukmini desired to give her hand in marriage to Sisupala. But that wasn't acceptable to Rukmini; she didn't deem Sisupala worthy of her dedication. A marriage born out of the choice of a daughter and the arrangement of the parents stands most chance of becoming successful.
But Rukmi did not consider Rukmini's perspective. He was blinded by the political benefits this alliance could bring him, even at the cost of his sister.
It is unfortunate how people are easily drawn to use, sometimes their closest relatives for personal gain, especially a political one. This was rampant during Krishna's advent. But Krishna broke this cruel legacy.
Rukmini implored Krishna to save her from this marriage. Impressed with her boldness to go against, not the family tradition, but the family stagnation, Krishna was sure to reciprocate. With her own will and assistance, He kidnapped her.
This really disturbed Rukmi, not out of any concern for his sister but upon seeing his calculated plans being overthrown by Krishna's actions. He lost a great opportunity of buying a beneficial relation with Sisupala and his friend Jarasandha for his growth.
The Mahabharata illustrates how to interweave every aspect of life. Marriage, politics, relationship, love, choice and friendship - nothing can be isolated, it must be integrated.
In the absence of an integrated approach, we will only have the innocent like Rukmini getting married to Sisupala, so that the crude like Rukmi can score a point. In the world of matrimony, there have been so many instances where the girls are considered no more than the sacrificial animals for internal benefits. In fact in sacrifice, the animal is killed once; but girls victimized by forced marriages continue to die every moment of their lives.
Thankfully, there is an approach free from oppression - Krishna's, where there is love and it connects all the aspect of one's life. His own sister Subhadra liked Arjuna; she married him and it brought the Yadavas and the Padavas closer, also adding to political stability.
Satyabhama married Krishna and it resulted in increased solidity for the Yadavas. Draupadi loved Arjuna and Krishna translated that love into marriage, and as the Pandavas married Draupadi, Draupada became their ally.
Adding personal agendas to life only fill it with holes. The Mahabharata, instead, offers crucial lessons on wholesome growth, which is both beneficial and forbearing.
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