Rukmini: An Institution of Devotion against Polygyny

Ipsita Mahapatra, Dr. Krishnaprada Dash

Abstract: It's not just The Mahabharata that has Rukmini's life as a subject but also the Bhakti tradition. Rukmini is the quintessential Bhakti devotee - worshipped by the devoted, all castes considered, variations of the house and sexes are the epitome of his commitment. Her tale is told through the letters that she wrote to Krishn, which reflects her agency and longing as a woman empowered to fight against the mainstream. But psychologically, being the main queen of Krishn, Rukmini had to face her trials. She entered into a polygamous marriage, where Krishn had 16,108 wives. This was coupled with an inner turmoil of having to come to terms with the fact that her beloved husband had to be shared with many others. The paper entitled ?Rukmini: An Institution of Devotion against Polygyny? emphasizes how the tale of Rukmini, under feminist a lens, portrays resisting the traditional patriarchal notion of gender roles. It also portrays the multiple facets of a woman possessing spiritual agency as well as the sacrifice she makes under patriarchal bindings. This narrative emerges as a potent metaphor for the struggles and the strengths of women, thus emphasizing the power of love and devotion to elicit transformations possible against the backdrop of society.

Keywords: Devotion, Polygyny, Patriarchal Society, Transformation