Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 19.202
Rukmiṇī’s Misunderstanding Brings Overwhelming Distress
“ ‘While Kṛṣṇa was joking with Rukmiṇī in Dvārakā, she was full of distress, fear and lamentation. She had also lost her intelligence. She dropped her hand bangles and the fan she was using to fan the Lord. Her hair became disarrayed, and she fainted and fell suddenly, appearing like a banana tree knocked down by high winds.’
What the purport teaches
- To test Rukmiṇī’s sincerity, Kṛṣṇa joked with her, presenting Himself as poor, incapable and unfit to be her lover.
- Rukmiṇī took His words seriously and thought He wanted to leave her company. This misunderstanding filled her with distress, fear and lamentation.
- Her whole body was affected: her fan and bangles fell, her hair became disarrayed, and she fainted. She fell like a banana tree knocked down by high winds.
Try this today
Reread the purport and identify Kṛṣṇa’s purpose in joking and what Rukmiṇī understood instead.
Ask yourself
How does Rukmiṇī’s response reveal the depth of her distress at the thought of Kṛṣṇa leaving?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.