Draft:Sri Rodha

Sri Rodha (Odia - ଶ୍ରୀ ରୋଢ଼ା, pronounced Sri Roḍhā) is an auspicious ode dedicated to Goddess Rukmini (Odia - ରୁଙ୍କିଣୀ, pronounced Runkiṇi), which is composed in the middle Odia language. Written somewhere around the late 15th century, it is traditionally recited in Odia marriages and is believed to bring love and prosperity for the future couple.

Etymology

Since its inception, It has been known by mainly 3 names, with the author having mentioned those alternate names in his work itself:-

1) the most popular name aka Sri Rodha (ଶ୍ରୀ ରୋଢ଼ା), is a portmanteau of 2 Odia words, Sri denoting the divine incarnation of Sri Lakshmi aka Rukmini and Rodha (a couplet metre, quite common in Odia devotional literature) is a celebratory ode/prayer, in honor of the Gods. The word Rodha (ରୋଢ଼ା) itself comes from the Odia word- Rudhi/Radhi (ରୁଢ଼ି/ରଢ଼ି), which means a proverb in the Odia language. By naming it such, the poet expresses a desire for the poem to maintain its sanctity and is cherished for generations.

2) the poet also calls it Runkini Kalasa (Odia - ରୁଙ୍କିଣୀ କଳଶା, pronounced Runkiṇi Kåḷåsā) based on its dedication to goddess Rukmini, while Kalasa is an auspicious ode aka Mangal geeti in Odia language (similar to the Chalisa in Awadhi language).

3) Also known as Runkini Bahaghara Lekhana (Odia - ରୁଙ୍କିଣୀ ବାହାଘର ଲେଖନ, pronounced Runkiṇi Bāhāghårå Lekhånå) among many, due to its inherent plot line concerning with the marriage of Goddess Rukmini and Shri Krishna.

The poet

Sri Rodha was written by Balarama Dasa during the later half of the 15th century AD. This is evident through a verse, where he quotes of having enshrined the happiness of the divine couple through a song:-

      " ବରକନିଆଁ ଏ ଯେ ସୁଖ ଦିନ ନେଲେ,
        ବଳରାମ ଦାସ ଯେ ଗୀତରେ ଭଣିଲେ "

Furthermore, its exclusive use of Dandi metre and certain nuances, peculiar to the poet's creations ( like the adding of si to many verbal endings as present in Dandi Ramayana) attest to the poet's authorship.

Structure

Composed using the Dandi metre, it's intended to be sung in Rodha aka couplets. There are 141 padas in total, where the 1st 8 padas are in Namas Kriya (in honour of the Gods) and the main subject matter starts from the 9th line. The poet starts by calling upon the blessings of Sri Ganesh in 3 padas, Sri Harihara in 2 padas and another 3 padas being dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. Rukmini bibaha, which is present briefly in Jagannath dasa's Bhagabata and Achyutananda's Saptakanda Haribansa is the main plotline here.

Plot

The main plot of this poem deals with the abduction of Rukmini and her subsequent marriage to Sri Krishna. Princess Rukmini is the homely and enchanting daughter of King Bhismaka, the ruler of Kalinga kingdom and she also has a brother, prince Rukmana. The Royal family resides in the capital city of Kundi nagara (କୁଣ୍ଡୀ ନଗର) and is loved by the people of the kingdom. With the passage of time, the news of her exquisite beauty spreads and her marriage is fixed with Sisupala , the prince of the Chedi kingdom and the son of King Damaghosa, in contrast to her own wishes.

Rukmini is aghast on learning this and cries profusely in front of her mother, declaring that she would either leave the kingdom or self-immolate herself, if she is to be married off against her wishes. She had already accepted Sri Krishna as her husband, just by hearing about him. Pleased with her dedication, her mother blesses her that she will surely have her wishes fulfilled. She confides this to her friends, who arrange for an old brahmin to be sent to Dwarka, with her hand-written scroll as a messenger, expressing her sorrowful plight.

In Dwarka, Sri Krishna hosts the brahmin with great honour and learns about the princess. He gives his word that he would absolutely respect her decision and abduct her dutifully, much to the latter's delight.

Rukmini was waiting anxiously for a message, when her left eye started twitching with the arrival of the brahmin, ensuring an auspicious sign. The brahmin did remind her that even though it was seemingly an abduction, Sri Krishna will arrive at the earliest by seeing the right Nakshatra, as is done before marrying.

The brahmin is dejected to return to his wife with an empty hand, to witness a grand house and several servants carrying him to his wife. He realises that Rukmini was none other than Sri Lakshmi, who had entrusted Biswakarma to build the house and Kubera, to have it laden with riches.

Meanwhile in Dwarka, Balarama is concerned and pesters his younger brother, to marry other princesses, but not the Kalingan one, as her kingdom was aligned with Jarasandha and he would wreak havoc. But, Sri Krishna retorts by saying that, he would go to any person who calls him with the utmost sincerity in any form of devotion (love being one). He also adds that Rukmini is his eternal wife for many aeons and Padmana (the earthly incarnate of Kamadeva, the love God incinerated by the 3rd eye of Shiva) is destined to be born from her womb.

The day of the abduction falls on the same day, when Rukmini is supposed to be married off to Sisupala. The dejected princess, laden with rich silks, jewels and trove of flowers, arrives at the temple of Gauri in a jem-studded palanquin. Her extreme sadness contrasts with the beauty and rich splendour, she upholds. She proceeds to ask for her rightful husband to the goddess, before drinking poison but is stopped by the goddess, who tells her of her beloved's arrival on the doorstep of the temple and showers her with blessings of marital bliss.

Rukmini sees Shri Krishna in the sky, coming on Nandighosa chariot pulled by Garuda, their eyes meet for the first time. She is pulled with her friend Sumedha on his chariot and the news of their fleeing spreads like wildfire, with Rukmana challenging Sri Krishna and Jarasandha challenging Balarama, both being defeated badly by the brother duo. Rukmana is tied to the pole of the chariot, while Jarasandha gets flung about 100 yojanas away. Balarama then chides Sri Krishna to release his future brother-in law, while Rukmini pleads to spare her brother to which Krishna relents, releasing him. Rukmana vows never to enter Kundinagara and leaves for the forest, while Sisupala leaves the marriage venue in embarrassment.

Bhismaka reconciles with his daughter and personally solemnises the marriage in Dwarka. The entire city is dressed up as a bride on the 4th night on the occasion of Chauthi Homa (an Odia wedding ritual), 7 golden pots are worshipped and numerous Odia traditional food items like Kheeri, numerous pithas are prepared and people rejoice in unison. This poem also enlists the customs prevalent in medieval Odisha as well as succinctly touching on the rituals in a traditional Odia marriage.