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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

10.54.27 10.54.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.54.28

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

तैस्ताडित: शरौघैस्तु चिच्छेद धनुरच्युत: ।

पुनरन्यदुपादत्त तदप्यच्छिनदव्यय: ॥ २८ ॥

tais tāditaḥ śaraughais tu

ciccheda dhanur acyutaḥ

punar anyad upādatta

tad apy acchinad avyayaḥ

Translation

Although hit by these many arrows, Lord Acyuta again broke Rukmī’s bow. Rukmī picked up yet another bow, but the infallible Lord broke that one to pieces as well.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Infallible Lord Breaks Every Bow

1
Although struck by many arrows, Lord Acyuta again broke Rukmī’s bow. The attack did not prevent His response.
2
Rukmī picked up yet another bow, but the Lord broke that one to pieces as well.
3
The translation calls Kṛṣṇa the infallible Lord. Rukmī’s repeated attempts could not keep his bows from being broken.

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

Chapter 54: The Marriage of Kṛṣṇa and Rukmiṇī

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Śrī Kṛṣṇa fended off Rukmī’s weapons, breaking them to pieces. Then He raised His sword high and was about to kill Rukmī when Rukmiṇī interceded and fervently pleaded that her brother’s life be spared.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.54