Satyabhámá and Rukmińii, Lord Krśńa’s consorts, were always spoken of together. Satyabhámá was adept in social service, government administration and the art of warfare. Perhaps you know the story of how she once led her country to victory.

Once, in Lord Krśńa’s absence, a neighbouring king, Narakasura,⁽¹⁾ attacked Dwaraka, Krśńa’s capital. (By the way, the Dwaraka of Krśńa’s time is no more. It long since became submerged under the Arabian sea. The old city of Dwaraka is sleeping under the Arabian sea: I would say about twenty-six miles west of the present-day Dwaraka.

Immediately after Narakasura attacked Dwaraka, Satyabhámá lost no time and launched a fierce counterattack against the invading forces. Narakasura’s army was defeated and he died on the battlefield. The day Narakasura was killed was the day before the new-moon day of the month of Karttik [mid-October to mid-November]. The whole city of Dwaraka was transported with joy. They jubilantly celebrated by lighting fourteen candles and, on the following evening, worshipped Satyabhámá with festivities and diipávalii [elaborate lights]. Even to this day, people in some parts of India worship Diipánvitá Mahálakśmii [the goddess of good fortune] with great revelry, shooting off firecrackers. On this same day, Bengalees conduct the worship called Shyámá Pújá.

Meghavarńá vigatavasaná,
Shavashivárúd́há shyámá trinayaná;
Narashirakhad́garvarábhayashobhaná,
Caturbhujá Kálii Kálikárúpińii.

The northwestern Indian wave [of social festivities] reached Bengal. On this day, some Bengali families first worship Alakśmii [the goddess of misfortune]. (Alakśmii here symbolizes Narakasura.) They worship her in the early evening. And in the late evening, around eight o’clock, they worship Lakśmii, the goddess of fortune, symbolizing Satyabhámá.⁽²⁾

Let us come to Rukmińii. Rukmińii was born in Arunachala. This territory was known as NEFA [North Eastern Frontier Agency] during the British period. During the rule of the Ahom Dynasty, this area was next to Assam and the Kamrup kingdom. It was known as Baliapara and continued to be called Baliapara into the early British rule.

Rukmińii was famous for her ingrained spiritual fervour. She took an abiding interest in propagating dharma and accelerating the spiritual elevation of her fellow human beings. People would change their outlook when they came in close proximity to this spiritual personality. Even those with a crude, mundane outlook would change into ardent spiritual seekers.

Footnotes

(1) From the land of the Scythians –Trans.

(2) Mention of a variation on this custom omitted here. –Trans.