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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
  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
10.53.4510.53.47-48

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.53.46

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Rukmiṇīsince 10.53.46inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

नमस्ये त्वाम्बिकेऽभीक्ष्णं स्वसन्तानयुतां शिवाम् ।

भूयात् पतिर्मे भगवान् कृष्णस्तदनुमोदताम् ॥ ४६ ॥

namasye tvāmbike ’bhīkṣṇaṁ

sva-santāna-yutāṁ śivām

bhūyāt patir me bhagavān

kṛṣṇas tad anumodatām

Translation

[Princess Rukmiṇī prayed:] O mother Ambikā, wife of Lord Siva, I repeatedly offer my obeisances unto you, together with your children. May Lord Kṛṣṇa become my husband. Please grant this!

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.

Rukmiṇī Prays to Be United With Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Rukmiṇī repeatedly offers obeisances to mother Ambikā, the wife of Lord Śiva, together with her children.

  2. 2

    Her request is clear: she asks that Lord Kṛṣṇa become her husband.

  3. 3

    Her prayer to Ambikā centers on her desire for Kṛṣṇa. She asks the goddess to grant this union.

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:

After bowing down to the deity, Rukmiṇī prayed to be allowed to have Śrī Kṛṣṇa as her husband. Then she took the hand of a girlfriend and left the Ambikā temple.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.53
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. namasyeI offer my obeisances
  2. tvāto you
  3. ambikeO Ambikā
  4. abhīkṣṇamconstantly
  5. svayour
  6. santānachildren
  7. yutāmalong with
  8. śivāmthe wife of Lord Śiva
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.53

    In this verse: “mother”, “children”

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 can your prayers express a sincere desire to draw closer to Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Offer a short prayer today expressing your desire to serve Lord Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRukmiṇī Prays to Be United With 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 10.53.46? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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