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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 60: Lord Kṛṣṇa Teases Queen Rukmiṇī.
10.60.810.60.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.60.9

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.60.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तां रूपिणीं श्रियमनन्यगतिं निरीक्ष्य

या लीलया धृततनोरनुरूपरूपा ।

प्रीत: स्मयन्नलककुण्डलनिष्ककण्ठ-

वक्त्रोल्ल‍सत्स्मितसुधां हरिराबभाषे ॥ ९ ॥

tāṁ rūpiṇīṁ śrīyam ananya-gatiṁ nirīkṣya

yā līlayā dhṛta-tanor anurūpa-rūpā

prītaḥ smayann alaka-kuṇḍala-niṣka-kaṇṭha-

vaktrollasat-smita-sudhāṁ harir ābabhāṣe

Translation

As He contemplated her, the goddess of fortune herself, who desires only Him, Lord Kṛṣṇa smiled. The Lord assumes various forms to enact His pastimes, and He was pleased that the form the goddess of fortune had assumed was just suitable for her to serve as His consort. Her charming face was adorned with curling hair, earrings, a locket on her neck, and the nectar of her bright, happy smile. The Lord then spoke to her as follows.

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.

The Goddess Desires Only the Lord

  1. 1

    Rukmiṇī is the goddess of fortune herself, and she desires only Lord Kṛṣṇa. He smiles with pleasure as He looks upon her.

  2. 2

    The goddess of fortune assumes a form matching the Lord’s form. Her appearance is suitable for serving as His consort in His pastimes.

  3. 3

    Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that Kṛṣṇa is more beautiful than the Lord of Vaikuṇṭha. Similarly, Rukmiṇī-devī is more attractive than the goddess of fortune in Vaikuṇṭha.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī has quoted an interesting verse, spoken by Śrī Parāśara in the Viṣṇu Purāṇa:
  • Thus the body she assumes matches the one Lord Viṣṇu takes.”
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī adds that as Lord Kṛṣṇa is even more beautiful than the Lord of Vaikuṇṭha, Lord Kṛṣṇa’s consort Rukmiṇī-devī is even more attractive than the goddess of fortune in the Vaikuṇṭha world.

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:

One day Lord Kṛṣṇa sat at ease in Queen Rukmiṇī’s bedroom while she and her maidservants attended to Him in various ways. Rukmiṇī always responded to Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s moods, whatever they might be.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.60
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tāmher
  2. rūpiṇīmappearing in person
  3. śrīyamthe goddess of fortune
  4. ananyahaving no other
  5. gatimgoal
  6. nirīkṣyaseeing
  7. yāshe who
  8. līlayāas His pastime
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

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 Rukmiṇī’s desire for only Kṛṣṇa invite you to reflect on in your own devotion?

Practice

Spend one quiet minute reflecting on Rukmiṇī’s undivided desire to serve Kṛṣṇa.

Live this todayThe Goddess Desires Only the LordThis 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 10.60.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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