1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990

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 61: Lord Balarāma Slays Rukmī
10.61.3910.62.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.61.40

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Rukmīsince 10.61.35inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ततोऽनिरुद्धं सह सूर्यया वरं

रथं समारोप्य ययु: कुशस्थलीम् ।

रामादयो भोजकटाद् दशार्हा:

सिद्धाखिलार्था मधुसूदनाश्रया: ॥ ४० ॥

tato ’niruddhaṁ saha sūryayā varaṁ

rathaṁ samāropya yayuḥ kuśasthalīm

rāmādayo bhojakaṭād daśārhāḥ

siddhākhilārthā madhusūdanāśrayāḥ

Translation

Then the descendants of Daśārha, headed by Lord Balarāma, seated Aniruddha and His bride on a fine chariot and set off from Bhojakaṭa for Dvārakā. Having taken shelter of Lord Madhusūdana, they had fulfilled all their purposes.

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.

Shelter of Kṛṣṇa Fulfills All Purposes

  1. 1

    Headed by Lord Balarāma, the descendants of Daśārha seated Aniruddha and His bride on a fine chariot and departed from Bhojakaṭa for Dvārakā.

  2. 2

    Having taken shelter of Lord Madhusūdana, they had fulfilled all their purposes. Their fulfillment directs our attention to taking shelter of Kṛṣṇa.

  3. 3

    Rukmiṇī was very dear to the Dāśārhas, but Rukmī had constantly opposed and insulted Kṛṣṇa since her wedding. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that Kṛṣṇa’s associates could therefore hardly lament his sudden demise.

Key points from the purport
  • Thus, Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains, the associates of Lord Kṛṣṇa could hardly lament Rukmī’s sudden demise.
  • Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C.
  • Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda to the Tenth Canto, Sixty-first Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Lord Balarāma Slays Rukmī.”

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 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. tataḥthen
  2. aniruddhamAniruddha
  3. sahatogether with
  4. sūryayāHis bride
  5. varamthe groom
  6. rathamon His chariot
  7. samāropyaplacing
  8. yayuḥthey went
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.61

    In this verse: “shelter”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 10.61

    In this verse: “lament”

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

How can I make taking shelter of Kṛṣṇa more central to my purposes today?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer to Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, asking for shelter and the desire to serve Him.

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 todayShelter of Kṛṣṇa Fulfills All PurposesThis 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 10.61.40? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories