Bhishmaka was king of Vidarbha, residing at Kundina. He had a son named
Rukmin, and a beautiful daughter termed Rukmini. Krishna fell in love
with the latter, and solicited her in marriage: but her brother who
hated Krishna, would not assent to the espousals. At the suggestion of
Jarāsandha, and with the concurrence of his son, the powerful sovereign
Bhishmaka affianced Rukmini to Sisupāla. In order to celebrate the
nuptials, Jarāsandha and other princes, the friends of Sisupāla,
assembled in the capital of Vidharba; and Krishna, attended by
Balabhadra and many other Yādavas, also went to Kundina to witness the
wedding. When there, Hari contrived on the eve of the nuptials, to carry
off the princess, leaving Rāma and his kinsmen to sustain the weight of
his enemies. Paundraka, the illustrious Dantavakra, Viduratha, Sisupāla,
Jarāsandha, Salya, and other kings, indignant at the insult, exerted
themselves to kill Krishna, but were repelled by Balarāma and the
Yādavas. Rukmin, vowing that he would never enter Kundina again until he
had slain Kesava in fight, pursued and overtook him. In the combat that
ensued, Krishna destroyed with his discus, as if in sport the host of
Rukmin, with all its horses, and elephants, and foot, and chariots, and
overthrew him, and hurled him on the ground; and would have put him to
death, but was withheld by the entreaties of Rukmini. "He is my only
brother," she exclaimed, "and must not be slain by thee; restrain your
wrath, O divine Lord, and give me my brother in charity".
Thus addressed by her, Krishna, whom no acts affect, spared Rukmin; and
he (in pursuance of his vow) founded the city Bhojakata, and ever
afterwards dwelt therein. After the defeat of Rukmin, Krishna married
Rukmini in due form, having first made her his own by the Rākshasa
ritual. She bore him the gallant Pradyumna, a portion of the deity of
love. The demon Sambara carried him off, but he slew the demon.