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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
10.53.51-5510.53.57

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.53.56

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Rukmiṇīsince 10.53.46inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

रथं समारोप्य सुपर्णलक्षणं

राजन्यचक्रं परिभूय माधव: ।

ततो ययौ रामपुरोगम: शनै:

श‍ृगालमध्यादिव भागहृद्धरि: ॥ ५६ ॥

rathaṁ samāropya suparṇa-lakṣaṇaṁ

rājanya-cakraṁ paribhūya mādhavaḥ

tato yayau rāma-purogamaḥ śanaiḥ

śṛgāla-madhyād iva bhāga-hṛd dhariḥ

Translation

Lifting the princess onto His chariot, whose flag bore the emblem of Garuḍa, Lord Mādhava drove back the circle of kings. With Balarāma in the lead, He slowly exited, like a lion removing his prey from the midst of jackals.

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.

The Lord Departs With Rukmiṇī

  1. 1

    Lord Mādhava lifts Rukmiṇī onto His chariot, whose flag bears the emblem of Garuḍa.

  2. 2

    He drives back the circle of kings. With Balarāma in the lead, He slowly departs.

  3. 3

    His departure is compared to a lion taking his prey from among jackals. The comparison emphasizes the Lord’s superiority over the opposing kings.

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:

Like a lion claiming his rightful share from a band of jackals, He drove back all the opposing kings and slowly made His exit, followed by His associates. Jarāsandha and the other kings, unable to bear their defeat and dishonor, loudly condemned themselves, declaring that this defamation was like a petty animal’s stealing away what rightfully belongs to the lion.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.53
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. rathamonto His chariot
  2. samāropyalifting her
  3. suparṇaGaruḍa
  4. lakṣaṇamwhose mark
  5. rājanyaof kings
  6. cakramthe circle
  7. paribhūyadefeating
  8. mādhavaḥKṛṣṇa
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.53

    In this verse: “kings”

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

What does the Lord’s unhurried departure suggest about His power?

Practice

Spend a minute remembering Lord Mādhava’s strength as He carries Rukmiṇī away.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Departs With RukmiṇīThis 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 10.53.56? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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