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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
10.53.410.53.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.53.5

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

स चाश्वै: शैब्यसुग्रीवमेघपुष्पबलाहकै: ।

युक्तं रथमुपानीय तस्थौ प्राञ्जलिरग्रत: ॥ ५ ॥

sa cāśvaiḥ śaibya-sugrīva-

meghapuṣpa-balāhakaiḥ

yuktaṁ ratham upānīya

tasthau prāñjalir agrataḥ

Translation

Dāruka brought the Lord’s chariot, yoked with the horses named Śaibya, Sugrīva, Meghapuṣpa and Balāhaka. He then stood before Lord Kṛṣṇa with joined palms.

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.

Dāruka Serves with Readiness and Reverence

  1. 1

    Dāruka brought the Lord’s chariot with its four horses yoked and ready.

  2. 2

    The purport describes Śaibya as green like a parrot’s wings, Sugrīva as yellow-gold, Meghapuṣpa as cloud-colored, and Balāhaka as whitish.

  3. 3

    After bringing the chariot, Dāruka stood before Lord Kṛṣṇa with joined palms.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī quotes the following text of the Padma Purāṇa describing Lord Kṛṣṇa’s chariot horses:

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:

Since the solemnizing of vows between Rukmiṇī and Śiśupāla was scheduled to occur in only three days, Lord Kṛṣṇa had Dāruka ready His chariot at once. Then He immediately set out for Vidarbha, which He reached after one night’s travel.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.53
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saḥhe, Dāruka
  2. caand
  3. aśvaiḥwith the horses
  4. śaibya-sugrīva-meghapuṣpa-balāhakaiḥnamed Śaibya, Sugrīva, Meghapuṣpa and Balāhaka
  5. yuktamyoked
  6. rathamthe chariot
  7. upānīyabringing
  8. tasthaustood
  9. prāñjaliḥwith palms joined in reverence
  10. agrataḥin front
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

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 you combine practical readiness with reverence in your service to Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Join your palms before Kṛṣṇa for a moment before beginning one act of devotional service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDāruka Serves with Readiness and ReverenceThis 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 10.53.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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