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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 54: The Marriage of Kṛṣṇa and Rukmiṇī
10.54.19-2010.54.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.54.21

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.54.17inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

इत्युक्त्वा रथमारुह्य सारथिं प्राह सत्वर: ।

चोदयाश्वान् यत: कृष्ण: तस्य मे संयुगं भवेत् ॥ २१ ॥

ity uktvā ratham āruhya

sārathiṁ prāha satvaraḥ

codayāśvān yataḥ kṛṣṇaḥ

tasya me saṁyugaṁ bhavet

Translation

Having said this, he had mounted his chariot and told his charioteer, “Drive the horses quickly to where Kṛṣṇa is. He and I must fight.

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.

Rukmī Insists on Fighting Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    After speaking, Rukmī mounts his chariot.

  2. 2

    He orders his charioteer to drive the horses quickly to where Kṛṣṇa is.

  3. 3

    Rukmī declares that he and Kṛṣṇa must fight, showing his determination to confront the Lord.

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 54: The Marriage of Kṛṣṇa and Rukmiṇī

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Ignorant of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s glories, Rukmī boldly went out to attack Kṛṣṇa in a lone chariot. He approached the Lord, struck Him with arrows and demanded that He release Rukmiṇī.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.54
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. itithus
  2. uktvāspeaking
  3. rathamon his chariot
  4. āruhyaclimbing
  5. sārathimto his driver
  6. prāhasaid
  7. satvaraḥquickly
  8. codayadrive
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

When upset, do you treat confrontation as necessary before considering whether to stop?

Practice

Before sending a confrontational message today, pause and reconsider the thought, “I must fight.”

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRukmī Insists on Fighting 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 10.54.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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