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Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 53: Kṛṣṇa Kidnaps Rukmiṇī
10.53.2810.53.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.53.29

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.53.4inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

सा तं प्रहृष्टवदनमव्यग्रात्मगतिं सती । आलक्ष्य लक्षणाभिज्ञा समपृच्छच्छुचिस्मिता ॥ २९ ॥

sā taṁ prahṛṣṭa-vadanam

avyagrātma-gatiṁ satī

ālakṣya lakṣaṇābhijñā

samapṛcchac chuci-smitā

Translation

Noting the brāhmaṇa’s joyful face and serene movements, saintly Rukmiṇī, who could expertly interpret such symptoms, inquired from him with a pure smile.

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.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Attentive Observation and a Pure Smile

  1. 1

    Rukmiṇī noticed the brāhmaṇa’s joyful face.

  2. 2

    She also observed his serene movements. The saintly princess could expertly interpret these signs.

  3. 3

    She inquired from him with a pure smile, ready to hear what he had to say.

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 53: Kṛṣṇa Kidnaps Rukmiṇī

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Indeed, the brāhmaṇa shortly appeared and related to her what Kṛṣṇa had said, including His firm promise to kidnap her. When King Bhīṣmaka heard that Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma had arrived, he went out to greet Them to the accompaniment of triumphant music.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.53
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sashe
  2. tamhim
  3. prahṛṣṭafilled with joy
  4. vadanamwhose face
  5. avyagraunagitated
  6. ātmaof whose body
  7. gatimthe movement
  8. satīthe saintly young woman
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 10.53

    In this verse: “inquired”

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

Do I pay attention to others with the care and gentleness shown by Rukmiṇī?

Practice

In one conversation today, notice the other person’s expression and ask a gentle question before assuming what they mean.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAttentive Observation and a Pure SmileThis 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.

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