Upon reading the letter, Krishna immediately set out for Vidarbha with his elder brother Balarama and an army. He did not wait for an invitation.
This is not a forceful abduction but a consensual elopement—a rescue. In Hindu tradition, when a woman chooses her husband in a swayamvar, it is lawful. Rukmini had publicly chosen Krishna by stepping onto his chariot. rukmini swayamvar
Rukmi, enraged, chased Krishna with a massive army. A fierce battle ensued. Rukmi challenged Krishna and was defeated. Krishna was about to kill Rukmi, but Rukmini begged for her brother’s life, falling at Krishna’s feet. Krishna spared Rukmi but as punishment, shaved his head (a great dishonor for a prince) and let him go. Upon reading the letter, Krishna immediately set out
Without a word, she stepped forward. Krishna lifted her onto his chariot and drove away at lightning speed. Rukmini’s guards and the Vidarbha army tried to stop them, but Balarama and the Yadava forces held them back. In Hindu tradition, when a woman chooses her
However, her brother Rukmi, a proud and powerful prince, despised Krishna. Against Rukmini’s wishes, Rukmi arranged her marriage to Shishupala, the evil king of Chedi (and Krishna’s cousin, though they were enemies). Shishupala was an ally of Rukmi and the Kauravas.