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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 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
10.52.3910.52.41

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.52.40

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Rukmiṇīsince 10.52.37inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

पूर्तेष्टदत्तनियमव्रतदेवविप्र-

गुर्वर्चनादिभिरलं भगवान् परेश: ।

आराधितो यदि गदाग्रज एत्य पाणिं

गृह्णातु मे न दमघोषसुतादयोऽन्ये ॥ ४० ॥

pūrteṣṭa-datta-niyama-vrata-deva-vipra

gurv-arcanādibhir alaṁ bhagavān pareśaḥ

ārādhito yadi gadāgraja etya pāṇiṁ

gṛhṇātu me na damaghoṣa-sutādayo ’nye

Translation

If I have sufficiently worshiped the Supreme Personality of Godhead by pious works, sacrifices, charity, rituals and vows, and also by worshiping the demigods, brāhmaṇas and gurus, then may Gadāgraja come and take my hand, and not Damaghoṣa’s son or anyone else.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

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.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Worship Directed Toward Attaining Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Rukmiṇī hopes that her pious works, sacrifices, charity, rituals, vows and worship have sufficiently pleased the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    The ācāryas explain that she felt no one could obtain Lord Kṛṣṇa through the efforts of a single lifetime. She therefore earnestly recalled pious activities from this life and previous lives.

  3. 3

    Her desired result is that Gadāgraja come and take her hand, not Damaghoṣa's son or anyone else. She mentions these activities hoping to convince Śrī Kṛṣṇa to come.

Key points from the purport
  • The ācāryas comment as follows on this verse: “Rukmiṇī felt that no one could obtain Lord Kṛṣṇa by the efforts of a single lifetime.
  • Therefore she earnestly pointed out the pious activities she had performed in that life and previous lives, hoping to convince Śrī Kṛṣṇa to come.”

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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

Further reading

Chapter 52: Rukmiṇī’s Message to Lord Kṛṣṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

If You do not show me this favor, I will give up my life by fasting and observing severe vows. Then perhaps in my next life I will be able to obtain You.”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.52
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. pūrtaby pious works (such as feeding brāhmaṇas, digging wells, etc.)
  2. iṣṭasacrificial performances
  3. dattacharity
  4. niyamaritual observances (such as visiting holy places)
  5. vratavows of penance
  6. devaof the demigods
  7. viprabrāhmaṇas
  8. guruand spiritual masters
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.52

    In this verse: “worshiped”, “worship”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Are my acts of worship directed toward Kṛṣṇa Himself, or toward other rewards?

Practice

Before one act of worship or charity today, pause and express your desire to please Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWorship Directed Toward Attaining KṛṣṇaThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 10.52.40? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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