TWO GREAT WARRIORS ABSTAINED FROM MAHABHARATA WAR

Balarama stays out of the Mahabharata war, Both Pandavas and Kauravas doesn't consider the assistance of Rukmi

Balarama; Brother of Lord Krishna, denied joining the war considering Lord Krishna had determined not to participate. He had already turned down the offer of Duryodhana at the time he went to Dwarika with an intention of getting help from Lord Krishna and Balarama. Being fair to both Pandavas and Kauravas, Lord Krishna had given his Narayani Sena to Duryodhana and on the other hand became the charioteer of Arjuna as per his request. Seeing his affectionate brother Lord Krishna denies to raise any weapons and fight, Balarama stayed out of the combat and blessed Duryodhana when he had asked him to support.

After the selection of commanders in Pandavas' army was completed for the great Mahabharata war, Balarama visited the pavilion of Pandavas. Everyone presented their prayers to him and offered him a seat close to Yudhishtir. Balarama then informed Lord Krishna, "massacre is going to begin soon and I have already told you to guide Duryodhana in the similar way you used to be doing to Pandavas. However you unnoticed my statements and choosed to help Arjuna. Being the guru of Bhima and Duryodhana, I am affectionate toward both of them equally, seeing Krishna himself supporting the non-secular Pandavas, I can realize the destruction of Kauravas has already started that i do not wish to see." After saying such, he left on a pilgrimage to the Himalayas.

Rukmi was the ruler of Vidarbha, son of Bhismaka, and the elder brother of Rukmini. At the time when Lord Krishna abducted Rukmini from Vidarbha kingdom as per her request, Rukmi fought with Lord Krishna due to the truth that he wished his sister to marry Chedi king Shishupala only. Lord Krishna had defeated him in that battle and later as per the plea of Rukmini, did not kill Rukmi. Then Rukmi never returned back to his capital Kundin pur and he created one capital of bhoja people named Bhojakata. He was once blessed with a divine bow named 'vijaya' via Indra. There had been three celestial bows or Dhanush in the world who were regarded as divine. One was Gandiva Dhanush of Varuna dev which was once given via lord Agnidev to Arjuna throughout Khandavvan daah, second used to be Vijaya Dhanush of Indra which he later gave to Rukmi and the third Dhanush was 'saranga' of Lord Vishnu which was later received by Lord Krishna after he killed Narakasura and returned the kundals of Aditi back to her.

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Rukmi with an intention to please Lord Krishna came to Pandavas with his large army to offer his help. He was welcomed respectfully in the tent. He haughtily mentioned Arjuna that, "I would assist you in the war if you have gotten scared of your enemies. I will kill all the exceptional warriors like Bhishma, Drona, Kripacharya, Karna all by himself besides taking anyone's help and then surrender the whole earth to you all." Hearing the egotistical statements of Rukmi, Arjuna with a friendly smile referred to him that, "neither I am scared nor i need any help as i have alone efficaciously defeated Gandharvas during the fight with Chitrasen and also the Kauravas in Virata war before. Pandavas rejected Rukmi's offer.

Later Rukmi went to Duryodhana's pavilion with his army with the same intention and additionally presented his help in a similar conceited way. Duryodhana also declined him.

Ref: Mahabharata book

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