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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
10.54.3510.54.37

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.54.36

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.54.34inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

कृष्णान्तिकमुपव्रज्य दद‍ृशुस्तत्र रुक्‍मिणम् ।

तथाभूतं हतप्रायं द‍ृष्ट्वा सङ्कर्षणो विभु: ।

विमुच्य बद्धं करुणो भगवान् कृष्णमब्रवीत् ॥ ३६ ॥

kṛṣṇāntikam upavrajya

dadṛśus tatra rukmiṇam

tathā-bhūtaṁ hata-prāyaṁ

dṛṣṭvā saṅkarṣaṇo vibhuḥ

vimucya baddhaṁ karuṇo

bhagavān kṛṣṇam abravīt

Translation

As the Yadus approached Lord Kṛṣṇa, they saw Rukmī in this sorry condition, practically dying of shame. When the all-powerful Lord Balarāma saw Rukmī, He compassionately released him and spoke the following to Lord Kṛṣṇa.

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.

Balarāma Compassionately Releases Rukmī

  1. 1

    As the Yadus approached Lord Kṛṣṇa, they saw Rukmī in his sorry condition.

  2. 2

    Rukmī was practically dying of shame.

  3. 3

    The all-powerful Lord Balarāma compassionately released the bound Rukmī and then spoke to Kṛṣṇa.

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:

Lord Baladeva then told Rukmiṇī that the sorry condition of her brother was only the fruit of his past work, since everyone is responsible for his own happiness and suffering. He further instructed her about the transcendental position of the jīva soul and how the illusion of happiness and distress is simply a result of ignorance.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.54
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kṛṣṇaof Kṛṣṇa
  2. antikamthe proximity
  3. upavrajyaapproaching
  4. dadṛśuḥthey (the Yadu soldiers) saw
  5. tatrathere
  6. rukmiṇamRukmī
  7. tathā-bhūtamin such a condition
  8. hatadead
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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.54

    In this verse: “compassionately”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “dying”

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 do I respond when I see someone overwhelmed by shame?

Practice

Offer one gentle word today to someone who feels embarrassed or ashamed.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBalarāma Compassionately Releases RukmīThis 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 10.54.36? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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