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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
10.61.3810.61.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.61.39

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Rukmīsince 10.61.35inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

निहते रुक्‍मिणि श्याले नाब्रवीत् साध्वसाधु वा ।

रक्‍मिणीबलयो राजन् स्‍नेहभङ्गभयाद्धरि: ॥ ३९ ॥

nihate rukmiṇi śyāle

nābravīt sādhv asādhu vā

rakmiṇī-balayo rājan

sneha-bhaṅga-bhayād dhariḥ

Translation

When His brother-in-law Rukmī was slain, Lord Kṛṣṇa neither applauded nor protested, O King, for He feared jeopardizing His affectionate ties with either Rukmiṇī or Balarāma.

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.

Kṛṣṇa Preserves His Affectionate Ties

  1. 1

    After His brother-in-law Rukmī was slain, Lord Kṛṣṇa neither applauded nor protested.

  2. 2

    He feared jeopardizing His affectionate ties with either Rukmiṇī or Balarāma.

  3. 3

    His silence expressed care for both relationships, rather than praise or condemnation of what had happened.

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:

Śrī Kṛṣṇa expressed neither approval nor disapproval of His brother-in-law’s death, fearing He would jeopardize His loving ties with either Rukmiṇī or Baladeva. Lord Baladeva and the other Yādavas then seated Aniruddha and His bride on a fine chariot, and they all set off for Dvārakā.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.61
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nihatebeing killed
  2. rukmiṇiRukmī
  3. śyāleHis brother-in-law
  4. na abravītdid not say
  5. sādhugood
  6. asādhunot good
  7. vāor
  8. rukmiṇī-balayoḥof Rukmiṇī and Balarāma
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 10.61

    In this verse: “feared”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.61

    In this verse: “king”

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

When might a pause before speaking help me show care for people on both sides of a painful situation?

Practice

Before commenting on a disagreement today, pause and consider how your words may affect each person.

5

Connected stories

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

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 10.61's connections

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Preserves His Affectionate TiesThis 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 10.61.39? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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