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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
10.54.3910.54.41

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.54.40

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Balarāmasince 10.54.40inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

क्षत्रियाणामयं धर्म: प्रजापतिविनिर्मित: ।

भ्रातापि भ्रातरं हन्याद् येन घोरतमस्तत: ॥ ४० ॥

kṣatriyāṇām ayaṁ dharmaḥ

prajāpati-vinirmitaḥ

bhrātāpi bhrātaraṁ hanyād

yena ghoratamas tataḥ

Translation

[Turning to Rukmiṇī, Balarāma continued:] The code of sacred duty for warriors established by Lord Brahmā enjoins that one may have to kill even his own brother. That is indeed a most dreadful law.

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.

Beyond the Pain of Material Conflict

  1. 1

    In fairness, Balarāma gives a complete analysis: although one should not kill a relative, military codes allow exceptions. The warrior’s duty established by Lord Brahmā may require even killing a brother.

  2. 2

    Such killing is most dreadful. In the material world, duty, honor and so-called justice often create conflict.

  3. 3

    Only on the spiritual platform, in pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness, can we transcend the pain of material existence. Maddened by pride and envy, Rukmī could not understand Kṛṣṇa or Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Key points from the purport
  • Lord Balarāma, in the interest of fairness, is giving a complete analysis of the situation.
  • Although one should not kill a relative, there are extenuating circumstances according to military codes.
  • Rukmī was maddened by pride and envy and thus could not understand anything about Kṛṣṇa or Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

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:

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. Lord Kṛṣṇa did not kill Rukmī, but with His sword He shaved off bits of Rukmī’s hair here and there, leaving him disfigured.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.54
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kṣatriyāṇāmof warriors
  2. ayamthis
  3. dharmaḥcode of sacred duty
  4. prajāpatiby the original progenitor, Lord Brahmā
  5. vinirmitaḥestablished
  6. bhrātāa brother
  7. apieven
  8. bhrātaramhis brother
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.54

    In this verse: “duty”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.54

    In this verse: “material”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 10.54

    In this verse: “pride”

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

Am I seeking only a material resolution to conflict, or also cultivating Kṛṣṇa consciousness?

Practice

Set aside a few quiet minutes today to remember Kṛṣṇa and renew your intention to serve Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBeyond the Pain of Material ConflictThis 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 10.54.40? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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