Bhagavatam - Tenth Skandha , Chapter 61

Krishna's children !

Each one of the wives gave birth to ten sons who were not inferior to their father, and having all his riches.

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Krishna's children

 Suka Deva continued

Each one of the Lord Krishna's wives gave birth to ten sons who were as great as their father, and having all his riches. Each one of the wives ensured that Krishna did not go out of their palaces and spent time with them only, not knowing the infinite capabilities of the Supreme Lord. Each was in love with the dark blue colored Lord wearing the yellow garment, and a garland of Lotuses. They were enchanted by the lovely smiling face, the long arms, and the large lotus like eyes. With all their love and charms they could not conquer the mind of the Lord. These ladies have obtained the husband of the Goddess of wealth as their own.

These ladies have obtained as their husband the Lord who could not be approached even by Lord Brahma and Lord Siva. They felt ever increasing attraction sharing intimate association with the Lord. Each one served the Lord on her own approaching the Lord humbly, offering seat , washing his feet , offering betel nuts , helping him relax by fanning , offering flower garlands and fragrant substances ,arranging his bed and bathing him .

Oh King I mentioned that each of the wives had ten children, now I will enumerate the children of the Lord.

The first son of Rukmini is Pradyumna. The others are Charudeshna, Sudheshna, Charudeha, Sucharu, Charugupta, Bhadracharu, charuchandra, Vicharu and charu the tenth. None of these were inferior to their father.

The ten sons of Satyabhama are Bhanu, Subhanu, Svarabhanu, Prabhanu, Bhanuman Chandrabhanu, Brihadbhanu, Atibhanu the eighth, Sribhanu and Pratibhanu.

Samba, Sumitra, Purujit, Satajit, Sahasrajit, Vijaya, Chitraketu, Vasuman, Dravida and Kratu were the sons of Jambavati and favored by the Lord.

The sons of Nagnajiti are Vira, Chandra, Asvasena, Chitraguru, Vegavan, Vrusha, Ama Sanku, Vasu and Kunti

Sruta Kavi, Vrusa, Vira Subahu, Danti, Darsa and Purnamasa are the sons of Kalindi, the youngest one being Somaka.

Madra's sons are Praghosa, Gaatravan Simha, Bala, Prabala, Urdhanga, Mahasakthi, Saha, Oja, and Aparajita.

Mitravinda's sons are Vruka, Harsha, Anila, Grudhra, Vardhana, Unnada, Mahamsa, Vahni and Ksudhi.

Sangramajit, Bruhatsena, Sura, Praharana, Arijit, Jaya and Subhadra, were the sons of Bhadra along with Vama, Ayur, and Satyaka making ten children.

Diptiman , Tamratapta and others were the sons of Rohini and others wives.

Lord Krishna's son Pradyumna fathered the great Aniruddha through Rukma, the daughter of Rukmi, the brother of Rukmini. This happened in the city of Bhojakuta.

Oh King the sons and grandsons of Krishna numbered thousands. Sixteen thousand mothers gave birth to this dynasty.

King Parikshit asked the Suka Deva incredulously,” Oh Brahman! How could Rukmi give his daughter to his enemy's son? Rukmi was defeated in battle and was waiting for an opportunity to kill Krishna. Oh Brahman please explains this marital arrangement between the two enemies. “

Suka Deva continued.

“Rukmavathi was the daughter of Rukmi. At her Swayamvar, the event to choose her own husband Rukmavati chose Pradyumna. Then Pradyumna fought all the assembled Kings alone and took her away. Though always remembering his enmity with Krishna, Rukmi approved the marriage of his daughter to the nephew, the son of Rukmini, his sister. Rukmi also gave his granddaughter to his daughter's son Aniruddha bound as he was by the bonds of affection to his sister Rukmini.

On the joyous occasion of that marriage, Lord Balaram, Lord Krishna, Queen Rukmini along with their children went to Bhojakuta. After the marriage some arrogant Kings headed by King of Kalinga, spoke to Rukmi egging him on to defeat Balaram in a game of dice. It is a game in which Balaram was not good at, but it is a game he liked very much. Challenged, Balaram agreed to the game. Balaram wagered one hundred coins, then one thousand coins, and then finally ten thousand coins. And Rukmi won them all, with his friend King of Kalinga laughing out loudly. Balaram could not tolerate this and wagered one hundred thousand coins and this time Balaram won. But Rukmi tried to cheat and declared himself the winner. Shaking with anger, Balaram accepted a wager of one hundred million coins by Rukmi. Balaram won this wager also fairly. But again Rukmi declared that he won, and challenged the witnesses to declare otherwise. The voice from the sky declared that Balaram won fairly and Rukmi was lying.

Disregarding that voice, urged on by his wicked friends and with the force of fate driving him, Rukmi spoke. “You cowherds ranging about in forests are indeed not expert in playing the game of dice. Playing with dice and arrows are only for Kings.”

Thus insulted by Rukmi, ridiculed by his wicked friends, Balaram was provoked to anger and in an instant in that auspicious wedding hall, Balaram clubbed Rukmi to death. The King of Kalinga tried to run away, but Balaram caught hold of him and killed him too.

Lord Krishna neither approved nor disapproved the events leading to the death of Rukmi, for fear of breaking affectionate ties with Rukmini or Balaram.

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Then Aniruddha together with his bride on his chariot went to Kuasasthali from Bhojakuta. Balaram and other descendants of Dasarhas having taken shelter of Madhusudan fulfilled their purposes.