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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 61: Lord Balarāma Slays Rukmī
10.61.3310.61.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.61.34

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.61.22inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तामनाद‍ृत्य वैदर्भो दुष्टराजन्यचोदित: ।

सङ्कर्षणं परिहसन् बभाषे कालचोदित: ॥ ३४ ॥

tām anādṛtya vaidarbho

duṣṭa-rājanya-coditaḥ

saṅkarṣaṇaṁ parihasan

babhāṣe kāla-coditaḥ

Translation

Urged on by the wicked kings, Rukmī ignored the divine voice. In fact destiny itself was urging Rukmī on, and thus he ridiculed Lord Balarāma as follows.

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.

Rukmī Disregards the Divine Voice

  1. 1

    Rukmī ignored the divine voice rather than accepting its declaration.

  2. 2

    The wicked kings urged him on, and the translation says that destiny itself was also urging him on.

  3. 3

    Instead of showing respect, Rukmī continued by ridiculing Lord Balarāma.

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 61: Lord Balarāma Slays Rukmī

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

A voice then spoke from the sky, announcing that Baladeva had in fact won. But Rukmī, encouraged by the wicked kings, offended Lord Baladeva by saying that while He was certainly expert at tending cows, He knew nothing of playing dice.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.61
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tāmthat (voice)
  2. anādṛtyadisregarding
  3. vaidarbhaḥRukmī, Prince of Vidarbha
  4. duṣṭawicked
  5. rājanyaby the kings
  6. coditaḥurged on
  7. saṅkarṣaṇamto Lord Balarāma
  8. parihasanridiculing
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.61

    In this verse: “kings”

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

Do I let others encourage me to dismiss correction or speak disrespectfully?

Practice

Step back today from any conversation that encourages ridicule, and choose respectful speech.

Live this todayRukmī Disregards the Divine VoiceThis 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 10.61.34? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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