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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 53: Kṛṣṇa Kidnaps Rukmiṇī
10.53.3610.53.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.53.37

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The people of the citysince 10.53.37inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अस्यैव भार्या भवितुं रुक्‍मिण्यर्हति

नापरा । असावप्यनवद्यात्मा भैष्म्या: समुचित: पति: ॥ ३७ ॥

asyaiva bhāryā bhavituṁ

rukmiṇy arhati nāparā

asāv apy anavadyātmā

bhaiṣmyāḥ samucitaḥ patiḥ

Translation

[The people of the city said:] Rukmiṇī, and no one else, deserves to become His wife, and He also, possessing such flawless beauty, is the only suitable husband for Princess Bhaiṣmī.

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.

Rukmiṇī and Kṛṣṇa Belong Together

  1. 1

    Some citizens said that Rukmiṇī was a suitable wife for Kṛṣṇa; others said that no one else was suitable.

  2. 2

    Similarly, some said that Kṛṣṇa was most suitable for Rukmiṇī; others said that no other husband would do.

  3. 3

    Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that the verse combines these different citizens’ statements.

Key points from the purport
  • According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī, this text combines statements made by different citizens.
  • Similarly, some stated that Kṛṣṇa was most suitable for Rukmiṇī, and others stated that no one else would be a suitable husband for her.

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 53: Kṛṣṇa Kidnaps Rukmiṇī

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The people of Vidarbha, seeing Lord Kṛṣṇa, remarked to one another that He alone would be a suitable husband for Rukmiṇī. They prayed that on the strength of whatever pious credit they had, Kṛṣṇa might win Rukmiṇī’s hand.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.53
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. asyafor Him
  2. evaalone
  3. bhāryāwife
  4. bhavitumto be
  5. rukmiṇīRukmiṇī
  6. arhatideserves
  7. na aparānone other
  8. asauHe
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.53

    In this verse: “citizens”

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

How do the citizens’ words express their appreciation of Rukmiṇī and Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Read the citizens’ words aloud once, reflecting on their wish to see Rukmiṇī and Kṛṣṇa united.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRukmiṇī and Kṛṣṇa Belong TogetherThis 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 10.53.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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