Çré Indirä Ekädaçé Issue no: 243 28th September 2024

Eight Kinds of Marriage

Krishna Marries Five Princesses The Vedic System of Marriage
Srila Sukadeva Gosvami Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura

Eight Kinds Of Marriage Carefully Hidden Secret

His Divine Grace Srila Jiva Goswami
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
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Krishna Marries Five Princesses sat down in various places. The Lord then went
Srila Sukadeva Gosvami to see His aunt, Queen Kunti. He bowed down to
her and she embraced Him, her eyes moist with
Shukadeva Gosvami said: Once, the supremely
opulent Personality of Godhead went to In- great affection. Lord Krishna inquired from her
draprastha to visit the Pandavas, who had again and her daughter-in-law, Draupadi, about their
appeared in public. Accompanying the Lord welfare, and they in turn questioned Him at length
were Yuyudhana and other associates. When the about His relatives [in Dvaraka]. So overcome by
Pandavas saw that Lord Mukunda had arrived, love that her throat choked up and her eyes filled
those heroic sons of Prtha all stood up at once, with tears, Queen Kunti remembered the many
like the senses responding to the return of the troubles she and her sons had endured. Thus she
life air. The heroes embraced Lord Acyuta, and addressed Lord Krishna, who appears before His
the touch of His body freed them of sin. Looking devotees to drive away their distress
at His affectionate, smiling face, they were over- [Queen Kunti said:] My dear Krishna, our
whelmed with joy. After the Lord bowed down welfare was assured only when You remembered
at the feet of Yudhishthira and Bhima and firmly us, Your relatives, and gave us Your protection
embraced Arjuna, He accepted obeisances from by sending my brother to visit us. For You, the
the twin brothers, Nakula and Sahadeva. Fault-
less Draupadi, the Pandavas’ newly married wife, well-wishing friend and Supreme Soul of the
slowly and somewhat timidly approached Lord universe, there is never any illusion of “us” and
Krishna, who sat on an exalted seat, and offered “them.” Yet even so, residing within the hearts
Him her obeisances. of all, You eradicate the sufferings of those who
Satyaki also accepted a seat of honor after receiv- remember You constantly.
ing worship and welcome from the Pandavas, and [King Yudhishthira said:] O supreme control-
the Lord’s other companions, being duly honored, ler, I do not know what pious deeds we fools have

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 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä Issue no 243, Page—3
done so that we can see You, whom the masters devotees. On one occasion, Sri Krishna wanted to
of yogic perfection rarely see. give the Khandava forest as a gift to Agni, and so the
Requested by the King to stay with them, the Lord became Arjuna’s charioteer. Being pleased, O
almighty Lord remained happily in Indraprastha King, Lord Agni presented Arjuna with a bow, a set
during the months of the rainy season, giving joy of white horses, a chariot, a pair of inexhaustible
to the eyes of the city’s residents. Once Arjuna, quivers, and armor that no fighter could pierce
the slayer of powerful enemies, donned his armor, with weapons. When the demon Maya was saved
mounted his chariot flying the flag of Hanuman, from the fire by his friend Arjuna, Maya presented
took up his bow and his two inexhaustible quiv- him with an assembly hall, in which Duryodhana
ers, and went to sport with Lord Krishna in a would later mistake water for a solid floor.
large forest filled with fierce animals. With his Then Lord Krishna, given leave by Arjuna and
arrows Arjuna shot tigers, boars and buffalo in other well-wishing relatives and friends, returned
that forest, along with rurus, sharabhas, gavayas, to Dvaraka with Satyaki and the rest of His entou-
rhinoceroses, black deer, rabbits and porcupines. rage. The supremely auspicious Lord then married
A crew of servants carried to King Yudhishthira Kalindi on a day when the season, the lunar aster-
the slain animals fit to be offered in sacrifice on ism and the configurations of the sun and other
some special occasion. Then, feeling thirsty and heavenly bodies were all propitious. In this way
tired, Arjuna went to the bank of the Yamuna. Af- He brought the greatest pleasure to His devotees.
ter the two Krishnas bathed there, they drank the Vindya and Anuvindya, who shared the throne
river’s clear water. The great warriors then saw an of Avanti, were followers of Duryodhana’s. When
attractive young girl walking nearby. Sent by his the time came for their sister [Mitravinda] to
friend, Arjuna approached the exceptional young select her husband in the svayamvara ceremony,
woman, who possessed beautiful hips, fine teeth they forbade her to choose Krishna, although she
and a lovely face, and inquired from her as follows. was attracted to Him. My dear King, Lord Krish-
[Arjuna said:] Who are you, O fine-waisted lady? na forcibly took away Princess Mitravinda, the
Whose daughter are you, and where do you come daughter of His aunt Rajadhidevi, before the eyes
from? What are you doing here? I think you must of the rival kings. O King, Nagnajit, the very pious
be looking for a husband. Please explain every- King of Koshala, had a lovely daughter named
thing, O beautiful one. Satya, or Nagnajiti. The kings who came as suitors
[Sri Kalindi said:] I am the daughter of the were not allowed to marry her unless they could
sun-god. I desire to get as my husband the most subdue seven sharphorned bulls. These bulls were
excellent and munificent Lord Vishnu, and to extremely vicious and uncontrollable, and they
that end I am performing severe penances. I will could not tolerate even the smell of warriors. When
accept no husband other than Him, the abode of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master
the goddess of fortune. May that Mukunda, the of the Vaishnavas, heard of the princess who was
Supreme Personality, the shelter of the helpless, to be won by the conqueror of the bulls, He went
be pleased with me. I am known as Kalindi, and to the capital of Kaushalya with a large army.
I live in a mansion my father built for me within The King of Koshala, pleased to see Lord Krish-
the water of the Yamuna. There I will stay until I na, worshiped Him by rising from his throne and
meet Lord Acyuta. offering Him a seat of honor and substantial gifts.
Shukadeva Gosvami continued: Arjuna re- Lord Krishna also greeted the King respectfully.
peated all this to Lord Vasudeva, who was already When the King’s daughter saw that most agreeable
aware of it. The Lord then took Kalindi onto His suitor arrive, she immediately desired to have Him,
chariot and went back to see King Yudhishthira. the Lord of Goddess Rama. She prayed, “May He
[Describing a previous incident, Shukadeva become my husband. If I have kept my vows, may
Gosvami said:] Upon the request of the Pandavas, the sacred fire bring about the fulfillment of my
Lord Krishna had Vishvakarma build them a hopes. “Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Brahma, Lord
most wonderful and amazing city. The Supreme Shiva and the rulers of the various planets place the
Lord stayed in that city for some time to please His dust of His lotus feet on their heads, and to protect

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 Issue no 243, Page — 4 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä
Top left 4
the codes of religion, which He has created, He adorned themselves with fine clothing and gar-
assumes pastime incarnations at various times. lands.
How may that Supreme Personality of Godhead As the dowry, powerful King Nagnajit gave ten
become pleased with me?” King Nagnajit first thousand cows, three thousand young maidser-
worshiped the Lord properly and then addressed vants wearing golden ornaments on their necks
Him: “O Narayana, Lord of the universe, You are and bedecked in fine clothing, nine thousand
full in Your own spiritual pleasure. Therefore, elephants, a hundred times as many chariots as
what can this insignificant person do for You?” elephants, a hundred times as many horses as
Shukadeva Gosvami said: O beloved descen- chariots, and a hundred times as many manser-
dant of Kuru, the Supreme Lord was pleased, vants as horses. The King of Koshala, his heart
and after accepting a comfortable seat He smiled melting with affection, had the bride and groom
and addressed the King in a voice as deep as the seated on their chariot, and then he sent them
rumbling of a cloud. on their way surrounded by a great army. When
[The Supreme Lord said:] O ruler of men, the intolerant kings who had been rival suitors
learned authorities condemn begging for a person heard what had happened, they tried to stop Lord
in the royal order who is executing his religious Krishna on the road as He took His bride home.
duties. Even so, desiring your friendship, I ask But just as the bulls had broken the kings’ strength
you for your daughter, though We offer no gifts before, the Yadu warriors broke it now. Arjuna,
in exchange. wielder of the Gandiva bow, was always eager to
[The King said:] My Lord, who could be a better please his friend Krishna, and thus he drove back
husband for my daughter than You, the exclusive those opponents, who were shooting torrents of
abode of all transcendental qualities? On Your arrows at the Lord. He did this just as a lion drives
body the goddess of fortune herself resides, never away insignificant animals.
leaving You for any reason. But to ascertain the Lord Devakisuta, the chief of the Yadus, then
proper husband for my daughter, O chief of the took His dowry and Satya to Dvaraka and contin-
ued to live there happily. Bhadra was a princess of
Satvatas, we previously set a condition to test the the Kaikeya kingdom and the daughter of Lord
prowess of her suitors. These seven wild bulls are Krishna’s paternal aunt Shrutakirti. The Lord
impossible to tame, O hero. They have defeated married Bhadra when her brothers, headed by
many princes, breaking their limbs. If You can Santardana, offered her to Him. Then the Lord
subdue them, O descendant of Yadu, You will married Lakshmana, the daughter of the King of
certainly be the appropriate bridegroom for my Madra. Krishna appeared alone at her svayamvara
daughter, O Lord of Sri. ceremony and took her away, just as Garuda once
Upon hearing these terms, the Lord tightened stole the demigods’ nectar. Lord Krishna also
His clothing, expanded Himself into seven forms acquired thousands of other wives equal to these
and easily subdued the bulls. Lord Shauri tied up when He killed Bhaumasura and freed the beau-
the bulls, whose pride and strength were now tiful maidens the demon was holding captive.
broken, and pulled them with ropes just as a — Çrémad-Bhägavatam (Bhägavata Puräëa) » Canto 10: The Summum
child playfully pulls wooden toy bulls. Then King Bonum » Chapter 58 » Verses: 1-58 »The Supreme Personality of Godhead
Nagnajit, pleased and astonished, presented his » By His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
daughter to Lord Krishna. The Supreme Person-
ality of Godhead accepted this suitable bride in
the proper Vedic fashion. The King’s wives felt Eight Kinds Of Marriage
the greatest ecstasy upon attaining Lord Krishna His Divine Grace
as the dear husband of the royal princess, and a A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
mood of great festivity arose. Conchshells, horns
and drums resounded, along with vocal and in- According to Vedic convention, there are eight
strumental music and the sounds of brahmanas, kinds of marriage. In the first-class marriage
invoking blessings. The joyful men and women

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 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä Issue no 243, Page—5
system, the parents of the bride and bridegroom system was current in Hindu society. Regardless of
arrange the marriage date. Then, in royal style, the the affluence of the boy or the personal beauty of
bridegroom goes to the house of the bride, and in the girl, without this astrological compatibility the
the presence of brahmanas, priests and relatives, marriage would not take place. A person is born
the bride is given in charity to the bridegroom. in one of three categories, known as deva-gaëa,
Besides this, there are other systems, such as the manuñya-gaëa and räkñasa-gaëa. In different parts
gändharva and räkñasa marriages. Krishna mar- of the universe there are demigods and demons,
ried Rukmini according to the räkñasa system, and in human society also some people resemble
kidnapping her in the presence of His many rivals, demigods whereas others resemble demons. If
like Shishupala, Jarasandha and Shalva. While according to astrological calculations there was
Rukmini was being given in charity to Shishupa- conflict between a godly and a demoniac nature,
la, Krishna snatched her from the marriage arena the marriage would not take place. Similarly, there
exactly as Garuda snatched a pot of nectar from were calculations of pratiloma and anuloma. The
the demigods. Rukmini, the only daughter of King central idea is that if the boy and girl were on an
Bhishmaka, was exquisitely beautiful. She was equal level the marriage would be happy, whereas
known as Ruciranana, which means "one who inequality would lead to unhappiness. Because
has a beautiful face expanded like a lotus flower." care is no longer taken in marriage, we now find
Devotees of Krishna are always eager to hear about many divorces. Indeed, divorce has now become a
the transcendental activities of the Lord. His activi- common affair, although formerly one's marriage
ties of fighting, kidnapping and running away from would continue lifelong and the affection between
the battlefield are all transcendental, being on the husband and wife was so great that the wife would
absolute platform, and devotees take a transcen- voluntarily die when her husband died or would
dental interest in hearing of them. The pure devotee remain a faithful widow throughout her entire
does not make the distinction that some activities life. Now, of course, this is no longer possible,
of the Lord should be heard and others avoided. for human society has fallen to the level of ani-
There is, however, a class of so-called devotees mal society. Marriage now takes place simply by
known as präkåta-sahajiyas who are very much agreement. Dämpatye 'bhirucir hetuù (SB 12.2.3).
interested in hearing about Krishna’s räsa-lélä with The word abhiruci means "agreement." If the boy
the gopis but not about His fighting with His ene- and girl simply agree to marry, the marriage takes
mies. They do not know that His bellicose activities place. But when the Vedic system is not rigidly
and His friendly activities with the gopis are equally observed, marriage frequently ends in divorce.
transcendental, being on the absolute platform. All
the transcendental pastimes of Krishna described in
Çrémad-Bhägavatam are relished by pure devotees !! Sri Sri Nitai Gaurchandra Jayati !!
through submissive aural reception. They do not ISKCON
reject even a drop. Bhägavata Mahävidyalaya
— Chapter 52 » Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead » By His Divine is a branch of
Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
Founder-Acarya: His Divine Grace
A.C. BhaktiVedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Vedic System of Marriage
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura Quotations from the books, letters, and lectures of
His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhakti Vedanta Swami Prabhupada
According to the Vedic system, the parents would
consider the horoscopes of the boy and girl who ©Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.
were to be married. If according to astrological cal-
culations the boy and girl were compatible in every ©All the paintings are copyrights of their respective
artists.
respect, the match was called yoöaka and the mar-
riage would be accepted. Even fifty years ago, this

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 Issue no 243, Page — 6 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä
—— Çrémad-Bhägavatam (Bhägavata Puräëa) » Canto 9: Libera- with pleasure. he then playfully returned each
tion » Chapter 18 » Verse: 24 » The Supreme Personality of Godhead gopis garments. Saying, “Because you have thus
» By His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada rendered service unto My eyes, I now place wealth
and long-life in the palms of your hands. What
Carefully Hidden Secret more shall I offer to you?”, Sri Krishna gave great
Srila Jiva Goswami bliss to the young gopis. In this way He showed
His supreme wisdom. When love is present, even
Sri Krishna’s heart yearned to increase the gopis’ hostile words become pleasing ands affectionate in
trust in Him and to make clear the true meaning nature. Look! Even though He robbed their gar-
of His touched-with-desire difficult-to-under- ments and teased them in many ways, Sri Krishna
stand joking words. Plunged into an ocean of filled the young gopis with delight.
shyness, the gopis tried to cover their bodies as What happened after Krishna descended from
they stood before Krishna. the tree is described in these words: Very embar-
Standing before the cowherd boys, Sri Krishna rassed, the young gopis covered their bodies with
said: "O mischievous boys, why do you laugh? the garments. As they covered their bodies, they
Is it true these girls are naked? But what is wrong again and again revealed the love they felt for Sri
with that? Taking them from the kadamba tree’s Krishna in their hearts. Turning a little away from
branch, Sri Krishna placed the garments so the Krishna, the lotus-faced gopi again glanced at Him
gopis could see them. Smiling with a smile meant from the corners of their eyes. Ah! Crooked is
to tie the gopis to Him with ropes of love, Sri the path of love the beautiful-eyebrowed girls of
Krishna said to them: Because you have agreed Vraja walk. When His nose embraced the sweet
to become My maidservants, I now return these fragrance of the lotus flowers of the young gopis’
garments unto you. What previously you had faces, Sri Krishna forgot all about the boon He had
no power to understand, now you very clearly come there to give. As many bees fall upon a lotus
understand. By the mercy of your spiritual master flower, so the young gopis, yearning to accept Him
you have now attained the result of your activ- as their husband, surrounded sweet-like-a-flood-
ities of worship. Look at Me now and you will of-nectar Sri Krishna.
understand. Saying, “Come! Lets go! Let’s go! What more is
"Without garments you entered the water. This there to do in this place?”, Krishna tugged at the
offended Varuna, the demigod of the waters. To garments and ornaments worn by His gentle and
become free of this offense you committed as jubilant cowherd boy-friends. Even as He did this,
you followed your vow, fold your palms before Sri Krishna, who had robbed the gopis’ garments,
your heads and bow down to offer respectful was planning to grant a great boon to the young
obeisances to Varuna." gopis. Aware that they yearned to attain the touch
Then, when the broken-into-pieces-by-hosts- of His hand, Sri Krishna made a plan to fulfill the
of-fears, shy-hearted young gopis decided to gopis’ desire, the gopis who had followed a vow
obey Sri Krishna’s command, Sri Krishna, saying, to attain Him. Sri Krishna said to the gopis: “A
“Who made that sound? Look!”, caused His cow- person who worships Me to attain some benefit
herd boy-friends to look in a different direction. for himself worships not Me, but himself alone. A
As the boys were looking away, the gopis, think- person whose mind is plunged in thinking of Me,
ing, “My husband is my worshipable Deity,” and but who does not honor Me, attacks and torments
pretending what they were about to do was only Me. The first of these persons considers Me always
a playful joke, bowed down and offered respectful worthy of honor. The second of these persons
obeisances to Sri Krishna. “O master, I offer my considers not Me, but rather himself worthy of
respectful obeisances unto You”, they said. honor. The desire you girls feel is pure and good.
With joyful thirst Sri Krishna gazed at every It is free of any material motive, or any wish to
part of the young gopis’ bodies. Deciding that trick or to cheat Me.
their bodies were indeed sublimely beautiful and “Rice fried in ghee and then boiled in water
wonderfully effulgent, Sri Krishna became filled and sugar can no longer sprout into a plant. In

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 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä Issue no 243, Page—7

the same way, persons who worship Me lose From the time Sri Krishna spoke this promise,
the desire to attain anything else but Me. Per- the gopis became rapt in thinking of Him. Srila
sons who desire Me alone can worship Me in Shukadeva Gosvami describes their activities in
truth. Persons who have other desires cannot these words (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.22.28): “Thus
truly worship Me. If you think in your hearts, instructed by Sri Krishna, the young gopis, rapt in
‘Krishna is gloriously handsome. He is sweet meditation on Sri Krishna’s lotus feet, and their
like nectar,’ then it can be said that you worship desire now fulfilled, with great difficulty returned
Me in truth.” to their homes in Vraja.” With their eyes the shyly
Hearing Krishna say, “Soon will be the festival bowing down young gopis gazed at Sri Krishna’s
of Our marriage according to the gandharva form, from the circle of His face, to His two splen-
rite,” the fair and beautiful gopis with shy- did arms, to His waist, to His hips, to His thighs,
ly-glancing eyes accepted His words and waited to His knees, and to His two lotus feet. Aha! Af-
for the time when that festive marriage would terwards, when they were separated from Him, at
be celebrated. After granting this boon, Sri every step they continued to see Sri Krishna’s form
Krishna again said to the gopis: “The marriage within their hearts. Sri Krishna robbed the gopis’
where husband and wife merely accept each hearts and garments. The garments He returned,
other is the best of all kinds of marriage. All but He did not return the gopis’ hearts. This truth
other kinds of marriage-rites are the followers of is a carefully hidden secret.
this kind of marriage. This marriage of mutual — Sri Gopäla-Campü of Srila Jiva Gosvami »Translation by Kushakratha Das
acceptance has already awakened between Us.
Now you have attained the goal of your vow.
You should return now to your homes in Vraja.
Soon We will meet again, meet at night.”

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