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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 54: The Marriage of Kṛṣṇa and Rukmiṇī
10.54.3010.54.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.54.31

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

तस्य चापतत: खड्‍गं तिलशश्चर्म चेषुभि: ।

छित्त्वासिमाददे तिग्मं रुक्‍मिणं हन्तुमुद्यत: ॥ ३१ ॥

tasya cāpatataḥ khaḍgaṁ

tilaśaś carma ceṣubhiḥ

chittvāsim ādade tigmaṁ

rukmiṇaṁ hantum udyataḥ

Translation

As Rukmī attacked Him, the Lord shot arrows that broke Rukmī’s sword and shield into small pieces. Kṛṣṇa then took up His own sharp sword and prepared to kill Rukmī.

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.

Kṛṣṇa Breaks Rukmī’s Sword and Shield

  1. 1

    As Rukmī attacked, the Lord shot arrows at his sword and shield.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa broke both into small pieces. Rukmī’s weapon and protection could not withstand the Lord’s arrows.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa then took up His own sharp sword and prepared to kill Rukmī. The verse ends with this preparation, not with Rukmī’s death.

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:

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 summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.54
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasyaof him
  2. caand
  3. āpatataḥwho was attacking
  4. khaḍgamthe sword
  5. tilaśaḥinto small pieces
  6. carmathe shield
  7. caand
  8. iṣubhiḥwith His arrows
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

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 10.54

    In this verse: “protection”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.54

    In this verse: “death”

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 does the failure of Rukmī’s sword and shield challenge reliance on strength against the Lord?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer today to use your strength in Kṛṣṇa’s service rather than in defiance of Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Breaks Rukmī’s Sword and ShieldThis 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 10.54.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.