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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.

Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›

Canto 10 · Chapter 52: Rukmiṇī’s Message to Lord Kṛṣṇa

10.52.21 10.52.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.52.22

Visarga· Brahmā's creation

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.52.21inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

रुक्‍म्यग्रजो रुक्‍मरथो रुक्‍मबाहुरनन्तर: ।

रुक्‍मकेशो रुक्‍ममाली रुक्‍मिण्येषा स्वसा सती ॥ २२ ॥

rukmy agrajo rukmaratho

rukmabāhur anantaraḥ

rukmakeśo rukmamālī

rukmiṇy eṣā svasā satī

Translation

Rukmī was the first-born son, followed by Rukmaratha, Rukmabāhu, Rukmakeśa and Rukmamālī. Their sister was the exalted Rukmiṇī.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Rukmiṇī, the Exalted Sister

1
Rukmī was the first-born son.
2
His brothers were Rukmaratha, Rukmabāhu, Rukmakeśa and Rukmamālī.
3
Their sister was Rukmiṇī, whom the verse describes as exalted.

How it feels

Yearning and danger → Marriage and reciprocity. A wider range of divine relationships appears.

Chapters 50–59 of Canto 10: Dvārakā, Rukmiṇī and royal rescues. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Chapter 52: Rukmiṇī’s Message to Lord Kṛṣṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

But although Rukmiṇī’s other relatives approved of her marriage to Kṛṣṇa, her brother Rukmī was envious of the Lord and thus forbade her to marry Him. Rukmī wanted her to marry Śiśupāla instead.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.52