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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.60.56

Who is speaking and story frame

भ्रातुर्विरूपकरणं युधि निर्जितस्य

प्रोद्वाहपर्वणि च तद्वधमक्षगोष्ठ्याम् ।

दु:खं समुत्थमसहोऽस्मदयोगभीत्या

नैवाब्रवी: किमपि तेन वयं जितास्ते ॥ ५६ ॥

bhrātur virūpa-karaṇaṁ yudhi nirjitasya

prodvāha-parvaṇi ca tad-vadham akṣa-goṣṭhyām

duḥkhaṁ samuttham asaho ’smad-ayoga-bhītyā

naivābravīḥ kim api tena vayaṁ jitās te

Translation

When your brother, who had been defeated in battle and then disfigured, was later killed during a gambling match on Aniruddha’s wedding day, you felt unbearable grief, yet out of fear of losing Me you spoke not a word. By this silence you have conquered Me.

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.

Rukmiṇī’s Devotion Conquers Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa recalls the defeat and disfigurement of Rukmiṇī’s brother, and his later death during a gambling match on Aniruddha’s wedding day.

  2. 2

    Rukmiṇī felt unbearable grief, yet spoke no word out of fear of losing Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa tells her that by this silence she has conquered Him.

  3. 3

    The purport explains that these talks occurred after Aniruddha’s marriage, since Kṛṣṇa refers to an event described in the next chapter.

Key points from the purport
  • Here Lord Kṛṣṇa refers to an event that will be described in the next chapter.
  • Thus Kṛṣṇa’s talks with Rukmiṇī must have taken place after the marriage of Aniruddha.

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

Conflict and affection → Devotional wonder. Divine intimacy coexists with royal duties.

Chapters 60–69 of Canto 10: Palace life, family bonds and heroic protection. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 60: Lord Kṛṣṇa Teases Queen Rukmiṇī.

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Lord Kṛṣṇa then spoke to Rukmiṇī with deep affection: “I did not intend to agitate your mind with My joking words; rather, I wanted to demonstrate the strength of your chastity. Anyone who prays to Me for sense gratification and happiness in family life is simply deluded by My illusory energy, Māyā.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.60
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. bhrātuḥof your brother
  2. virūpa-karaṇamthe disfigurement
  3. yudhiin battle
  4. nirjitasyawho was defeated
  5. prodvāhaof the marriage ceremony (of Rukmiṇī’s grandson, Aniruddha)
  6. parvaṇion the appointed day
  7. caand
  8. tathis
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.60

    In this verse: “fear”, “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

What does Kṛṣṇa’s response reveal about how deeply He values Rukmiṇī’s devotion?

Practice

Reread Kṛṣṇa’s words, “By this silence you have conquered Me,” and reflect briefly on His appreciation of her devotion.

5

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Live this todayRukmiṇī’s Devotion Conquers KṛṣṇaThis 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 10.60.56? Get an answer from the verses themselves.