Krishna - The Dark Lord of Dwaraka

Chapter 13 - Rukmi, the Prince of Vidarbha

The Kings and the princes chasing Krishna and Rukmini did not know what hit them.

Balarama and the Yadava army under him were so ruthlessly efficient that within no time the Kings and the princes ran off the battlefield along with their army.

However Sishupala would not give up so easily. Rukmini was going to be his. He could not give up a princess who looked like a Goddess to that uncouth cowherd.

Sishupala with his army followed by Salva, Dantavakra and the others fought bravely against Balarama.

Balarama realizing that this group of warriors were much more disciplined than the previous attackers changed his tactics.

Till now he had merely been defending, he suddenly went offensive. He ordered his men to start regrouping and prepare for a major offensive.

Faced with the sudden change of tactics, the armies of the three kings were suddenly caught unawares.

Still they regrouped subsequently and started fighting. However by this time the battle was already half lost. Balarama with his army with his sudden ferocious attack had decimated half of the armies. Finishing off the remaining army was no big deal for the Yadava army.

With Krishna and Rukmini watching, Sishupala, Salva and Dantavakra were routed as the soldiers fled from the scene.

The Yadava army cheered watching the confused soldiers running in opposite directions. Balarama deciding that enough was enough ordered his men to stop the attack and march back. Sishupala was dejected as he slowly drove the chariot back to the Kingdom of Vidharba.

There Rukmi was waiting anxiously for the return of Rukmini with the kings. He was surprised when he saw a forlorn looking Sishupala coming back with less than half the army.

"What happened...?" asked the flabbergasted Rukmi as soon as Sishupala stopped in front of the palace.

Sishupala refused to meet his friends eyes and muttered, "The entire Yadava army was out there. " He did not speak any further.

Looking at the army, Rukmi would have figured out the outcome.

Rukmi was however furious. "She is my sister. Mine!" Rukmi's eyes glinted dangerously as he spoke sharply. "If you won't protect her, I will. I swear, I will never return to this kingdom without my sister!" Rukmi pronounced ominously.

Rukmi was quite unaware that other than him, everyone else in the kingdom was very happy with the sudden change of events. They all loved Krishna and knew that he was the best match for Rukmini....Bhishmaka secretly rejoiced as he celebrated with his wife.

However when Bhishmaka heard the oath of Rukmi, he trembled. He ran to his son, "Rukmini loves Krishna! She was the one who invited Krishna to come and take her away. " Bhismaka pleaded with Rukmi. "Please son! Let her be happy. Let the matter go."

"HAPPY!" Rukmi shrieked. "How do you think I would feel? She is my sister and I had chosen a good man for her. She goes and chooses a cowherd and you expect me to be happy with her decision. "

Bhishmaka looked at Rukmi, "It is not your choice to make!" He said sharply.

Rukmi was breathing angrily came very close to his father. "I am her elder brother! I have ever right in the world to choose the man she is going to marry. She has fallen under the cunning words of that cowherd and thinks she will be happy with him. I will not allow it!" Rukmi turned away and walked. He did not even turn when he heard Bhishmaka call him again and again.

Rukmi got on his chariot and with his army he was off. He did not even look at Sishupala and his other friends as he drove towards the outskirts of the kingdom.