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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 54: The Marriage of Kṛṣṇa and Rukmiṇī
10.54.2210.54.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.54.23

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

विकत्थमान: कुमतिरीश्वरस्याप्रमाणवित् ।

रथेनैकेन गोविन्दं तिष्ठ तिष्ठेत्यथाह्वयत् ॥ २३ ॥

vikatthamānaḥ kumatir

īśvarasyāpramāṇa-vit

rathenaikena govindaṁ

tiṣṭha tiṣṭhety athāhvayat

Translation

Boasting thus, foolish Rukmī, ignorant of the true extent of the Supreme Lord’s power, approached Lord Govinda in his lone chariot and challenged Him, “Just stand and fight!”

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.

Boasting Without Knowing the Lord’s Power

  1. 1

    Rukmī boasted because he did not know the true extent of the Supreme Lord’s power. His challenge arose from ignorance, not true understanding.

  2. 2

    Although Rukmī had set out with an entire military division, he personally rushed toward Lord Kṛṣṇa.

  3. 3

    He approached Lord Govinda in a lone chariot and demanded that He stand and fight. The verse calls this challenger foolish.

Key points from the purport
  • It appears from these verses that though Rukmī set out with an entire military division, he personally rushed up to Lord Kṛṣṇa to fight with Him.

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 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. vikatthamānaḥboasting
  2. ku-matiḥfoolish
  3. īśvarasyaof the Supreme Lord
  4. apramāṇa-vitnot knowing the dimensions
  5. rathena ekenawith a single chariot
  6. govindamto Lord Kṛṣṇa
  7. tiṣṭha tiṣṭhastand and fight
  8. itiso saying
  9. athathen
  10. āhvayathe called
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 10.54

    In this verse: “understanding”

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

Where might confidence in my own strength keep me from recognizing the Supreme Lord’s power?

Practice

Before one task today, pause and acknowledge Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Personality of Godhead rather than dwelling on your own ability.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBoasting Without Knowing the Lord’s PowerThis 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 10.54.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.