The First Ever Love Letter

विक्रमी – this name is because of his valor, courage, shourya, paurusha, because of his manliness.
विक्रमः पौरुषं प्रॊक्तः – vikrama is manliness.
विक्रमं शौर्यं तद्योगात् विक्रमः – vikrama is valour, courage. This divya nama refers to the courage and valour of the Lord.

Do you know who wrote the first ever love letter? Rukmini to Lord Krishna. Rukmini had heard about the Lord and was already in love with him. But her brother Rukmi was not in favour. He wanted her to marry Shishupala. He even convinced their father Bhishmaka. When Rukmini Devi came to know about this, she sent a letter to the Lord through a messenger. Let’s see the content of that letter.

रुक्मिण्युवाच
श्रुत्वा गुणान् भुवनसुन्दर शृण्वतां ते
निर्विश्य कर्णविवरैर्हरतोऽङ्गतापम् ।।
रुपं दृशां दृशिमतामखिलार्थलाभं
त्वय्यच्युताविशति चित्तमपत्रपं मे ।। ३७ ।।

Oh, my dear, the most endearing in the whole world, your greatness, when it enters someone through the ears, it removes agony from every organ of the body. Your beautiful form, most worthy of seeing by all that have got eyes, by seeing you only the goal of life is achieved. The life is fulfilled merely by looking at your beautiful form. My mind has fully merged into you, leaving behind all shyness, leaving behind all inhibitions.

का त्वा मुकुन्द महती कुलशीलरुप-
विद्यावयोद्रविणधामभिरात्मतुल्यम् ।।
धीरा पतिं कुलवती न वृणीत कन्या
काले नृसिंह नरलोकमनोऽभिरामम् ।। ३८ ।।

Be it kula, nobility, be it character, be it beauty, be it knowledge, be it wealth, be it dwelling place, there is no equal to you. Which maiden will have the heart and courage to say no to you as her groom? Every single maiden wishes to have you as her groom.

There is a mantra with which the gopikas used to pray to Devi for getting the Lord as their husband.
हे देवि जगतां मातः सृष्टिस्थित्यंतकारिणि
नन्दगोपसुतं कान्तं अस्मभ्यं देहि सुव्रते

Thousands and thousands of them, desiring him and doing sadhana to get him. Which girl will not desire you, Rukmini is asking.

तन्मे भवान् खलु वृत: पतिरङ्ग जाया-
मात्मार्पितश्च भवतोऽत्र विभो विधेहि ।।
मा वीरभागमभिमर्शतु चैद्य आराद्
गोमायुवन्मृगपतेर्बलिमम्बुजाक्ष ! ।। ३९ ।।

I have already taken you as my husband. I have completely surrendered myself to you. I am part of the lion that is you. Do something so that that jackal, Shishupala, is not even able to come near me.

पूर्तेष्टदत्तनियमव्रतदेवविप्र-
गुर्वार्चनादिभिरलं भगवान् परेश: ।।
आराधितो यदि गदाग्रज एत्य पाणिं
गृह्णातु मे न दमघोषसुतादयोऽन्ये ।। ४० ।।

If I have done any punya in my lives, like getting water for people, observing vratas, worshiping devas and noble saints, guru, then please come and hold my hand. Nobody else other than you should be able to even come near me.

श्वोभाविनि त्वमजितोद्वहने विदर्भान्
गुप्त: समेत्य पृतनापतिभि: परीत: ।।
निर्मथ्य चैद्यमगधेन्द्रबलं प्रसह्य
मां राक्षसेन विधिनोद्वह वीर्यशुल्काम् ।। ४१ ।।

My wedding with Shishupala is going to take place tomorrow. The armies of Shishupala and Jarasandha are here so that nothing goes wrong. But, you are undefeatable. Please come and take me away after crushing their armies. Rukmini is suggesting rakshasa vivaha, which means abduction by force.

अन्त: पुरान्तरचरीमनिहत्य बन्धूं -
स्त्वामुद्वहे कथमिति प्रवदाम्युपायम् ।।
पूर्वेद्युरस्ति महती कुलदेवियात्रा
यस्यां बहिर्नववधूर्गिरिजामुपेयात् ।। ४२ ।।

If you think that I will be indoors, how will you be able to take me away without hurting my relatives, then I will tell you. In our clan it is customary to take the bride to the temple of our kuladevi, Girija, one day before the wedding. I will be going for that. That time you can come and take me away without any trouble.

यस्याङ्घृपङ्कजरज: स्नपनं महान्तो
वाञ्छान्त्युमापतिरिवात्मतमोऽपहत्यै ।।
यर्ह्यम्बुजाक्ष न लभेय भवत्प्रसादं
जह्यामसून् व्रतकृशाञ्छतजन्मभि: स्यात् ।। ४३ ।।

Even the great ones like Umapati, Lord Shiva, desire the dust at your feet to cleanse themselves of any impurity. If I do not get this blessing, then I am going to starve myself to death. Not just now, I will keep on doing this for hundred births ahead, till the time I get blessed to become your bride.

Wonderful, isn’t it.

• Why does longing feel like strength, not weakness, in bhakti?
  Because longing directs energy. Sit for 5 minutes and chant 12 names from Vishnu Sahasranama, ending with ‘Krishna’ 8 times. Craving becomes focus; focus becomes grace.

• How do I turn a private wish into a disciplined practice?
  Write a one-line sankalpa in a notebook: ‘I will complete 108 names tonight.’ Do the mala. Sign with the name ‘Madhava’. A written vow plus japa hardens resolve.

• What name should I use when I need courage to act?
  Use ‘Vikrama’. Chant it 27 times before a tough call. Shoulders relax, voice steadies, action follows.

• How can I keep devotion clean when family pressures pull me elsewhere?
  Fix a daily anchor: 12 names after bath, same spot, same time. Tell family the slot is non-negotiable and only 5 minutes. Boundaries protect bhakti and reduce friction.

• What is a respectful way to ask Bhagavan for right guidance in relationships?
  Do one mala of ‘Govinda’ and then write a single next step that is truthful and kind. Names first, decision next. This avoids drama and keeps dignity.

• How do I handle the ‘jackals’ of fear and gossip around me?
  Use a 3-step shield: breath in ‘Om’, breath out ‘Narayana’; repeat 3 times; then say ‘Achyuta’ once before speaking. You respond, you do not react.

• Can chanting help with performance anxiety at work or study?
  Yes. Before starting, chant 16 names slowly, eyes half-closed. The nervous system settles; attention sharpens. Results feel earned, not forced.

• I am tempted to skip practice when tired. What is the minimum that still works?
  12 clear names seated, then 12 while walking to the next room. Tiny, honest consistency beats heroic inconsistency.

• How can I bring my spouse or children in without argument?
  Invite them to lead one name each in the evening. Keep it under 90 seconds. Praise the effort, not the volume. Shared sound softens edges at home.

• What do I chant when jealousy or insecurity rises?
  ‘Damodara’ for 21 breaths. Visualize the knot of doubt loosening. Then do one kind act for the person you envy. The name cleans inside; the act cleans outside.

• How do I keep the heart tender, not theatrical?
  Offer each round for one person by name. ‘May this japa bless their day.’ Personal offering warms devotion and heals grudges.

• Is fasting the only way to show intensity?
  No. Replace fasting with ‘attention fast’: for one hour, silence the phone and complete 108 names. This is safer for health and deeper for focus.

• What is a quick reset when anger spikes mid-conversation?
  Touch the bead, whisper ‘Kesava’ once, pause 2 seconds, then continue. That pause often saves the whole evening.

• How do I measure real progress without fooling myself?
  Track four signals weekly: fewer sharp words, quicker recovery after setbacks, steadier sleep onset, clearer choices. If two improve, add 10% more names next week.

• Can walking become japa without looking odd in public?
  Yes. One name every four steps, mouth closed, breath smooth. Steps become beads; stress drains off gently.

• What do I chant when I must take a bold stand?
  ‘Purushottama’ 12 times, then speak one sentence that is true and necessary. Names align courage with restraint.

• How do I close each session so the peace lasts?
  Finish with ‘Let this merit guide my words and choices.’ Bow the head, three quiet breaths. Then go do the next duty immediately.

• What weekly plan builds depth without burnout?
  Mon–Wed: learn 12 new names; speak each 3 times. Thu–Fri: review old names slowly. Sat: three malas of one chosen name. Sun: 5 minutes silent sitting to absorb the echo.

• If I miss a day, is everything lost?
  No. Do a ‘repair round’: 54 names before bed, write one lesson from the miss, and restart tomorrow. Bhakti values return more than perfection.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi