Krishna Kidnaps Rukmini

Verse 1 (bhagavata.10.53.1)

श्रीशुक उवाच वैदर्भ्याः स तु सन्देशं निशम्य यदुनन्दनः । प्रगृह्य पाणिना पाणिं प्रहसन्निदमब्रवीत् ॥ १ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca vaidarbhyāḥ sa tu sandeśaṁ niśamya yadu-nandanaḥ pragṛhya pāṇinā pāṇiṁ prahasann idam abravīt

Shukadeva said: Hearing this confidential message of the princess of Vidarbha, the descendant of Yadu took the brahmana's hand in His own and, smiling, spoke to him thus.

Verse 2 (bhagavata.10.53.2)

श्रीभगवानुवाच तथाहमपि तच्चित्तो निद्रां च न लभे निशि । वेदाहं रुक्मिणा द्वेषान्ममोद्वाहो निवारितः ॥ २ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca tathāham api tac-citto nidrāṁ ca na labhe niśi vedāham rukmiṇā dveṣān mamodvāho nivāritaḥ

The Supreme Lord said: ‘My mind too is fixed upon her just as hers is on Me; I cannot even find sleep at night. I know that out of enmity Rukmi has forbidden our marriage.’

Verse 3 (bhagavata.10.53.3)

तामानयिष्य उन्मथ्य राजन्यापसदान् मृधे । मत्परामनवद्याङ्गीमेधसोऽग्निशिखामिव ॥ ३ ॥

tām ānayiṣya unmathya rājanyāpasadān mṛdhe mat-parām anavadyāṅgīm edhaso ’gni-śikhām iva

‘I shall bring her here, churning up those unworthy kings in battle — she who is dedicated to Me alone and whose beauty is without flaw, like a flame drawn from kindling wood.’

Verse 4 (bhagavata.10.53.4)

श्रीशुक उवाच उद्वाहर्क्षं च विज्ञाय रुक्मिण्या मधुसूदनः । रथः संयुज्यतामाशु दारुकेत्याह सारथिम् ॥ ४ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca udvāharkṣaṁ ca vijñāya rukmiṇyā madhusūdanaḥ rathaḥ saṁyujyatām āśu dārukety āha sārathim

Shukadeva said: Knowing the exact lunar hour set for Rukmini's wedding, Lord Madhusudana said to His charioteer, ‘Daruka, ready My chariot at once.’

Verse 5 (bhagavata.10.53.5)

स चाश्वैः शैब्यसुग्रीवमेघपुष्पबलाहकैः । युक्तं रथमुपानीय तस्थौ प्राञ्जलिरग्रतः ॥ ५ ॥

sa cāśvaiḥ śaibya-sugrīva- meghapuṣpa-balāhakaiḥ yuktaṁ ratham upānīya tasthau prāñjalir agrataḥ

Daruka brought forth the chariot yoked with the horses Shaibya, Sugriva, Meghapushpa and Balahaka, and stood before Him with joined palms.

Verse 6 (bhagavata.10.53.6)

आरुह्य स्यन्दनं शौरिर्द्विजमारोप्य तूर्णगैः । आनर्तादेकरात्रेण विदर्भानगमद्धयैः ॥ ६ ॥

āruhya syandanaṁ śaurir dvijam āropya tūrṇa-gaiḥ ānartād eka-rātreṇa vidarbhān agamad dhayaiḥ

Mounting the chariot with the brahmana beside Him, Krishna, with His swift horses, journeyed from Anarta to Vidarbha in a single night.

Verse 7 (bhagavata.10.53.7)

राजा स कुण्डिनपतिः पुत्रस्नेहवशानुगः । शिशुपालाय स्वां कन्यां दास्यन् कर्माण्यकारयत् ॥ ७ ॥

rājā sa kuṇḍina-patiḥ putra-sneha-vaśānugaḥ śiśupālāya svāṁ kanyāṁ dāsyan karmāṇy akārayat

King Bhishmaka, lord of Kundina, bound by affection for his son, was making arrangements to give his daughter to Shishupala, and set the necessary rites in motion.

Verse 8 (bhagavata.10.53.8)

पुरं सम्मृष्टसंसिक्तमार्गरथ्याचतुष्पथम् । चित्रध्वजपताकाभिस्तोरणैः समलङ्कृतम् ॥ ८ ॥

puraṁ sammṛṣṭa-saṁsikta- mārga-rathyā-catuṣpatham citra-dhvaja-patākābhis toraṇaiḥ samalaṅkṛtam

The city, with its avenues, roads and crossings thoroughly cleansed and sprinkled with water, was adorned with colorful banners, flags and festive archways.

Verse 9 (bhagavata.10.53.9)

स्रग्गन्धमाल्याभरणैर्विरजोऽम्बरभूषितैः । जुष्टं स्त्रीपुरुषैः श्रीमद्गृहैरगुरुधूपितैः ॥ ९ ॥

srag-gandha-mālyābharaṇair virajo-’mbara-bhūṣitaiḥ juṣṭaṁ strī-puruṣaiḥ śrīmad- gṛhair aguru-dhūpitaiḥ

Its men and women, dressed in spotless garments, anointed and adorned with garlands and jewels, filled homes fragrant with the smoke of aguru incense.

Verse 10 (bhagavata.10.53.10)

पितृन् देवान् समभ्यर्च्य विप्रांश्च विधिवन्नृप । भोजयित्वा यथान्यायं वाचयामास मङ्गलम् ॥ १० ॥

pitṝn devān samabhyarcya viprāṁś ca vidhi-van nṛpa bhojayitvā yathā-nyāyaṁ vācayām āsa maṅgalam

O King, having duly worshiped the ancestors, gods and brahmanas according to prescribed rites and having them properly fed, the King had auspicious hymns recited.

Verse 11 (bhagavata.10.53.11)

सुस्नातां सुदतीं कन्यां कृतकौतुकमङ्गलाम् । आहतांशुकयुग्मेन भूषितां भूषणोत्तमैः ॥ ११ ॥

su-snātāṁ su-datīṁ kanyāṁ kṛta-kautuka-maṅgalām āhatāṁśuka-yugmena bhūṣitāṁ bhūṣaṇottamaiḥ

The bride, well bathed and bright of tooth, having received the auspicious wedding thread, was dressed in a fresh pair of garments and adorned with the finest ornaments.

Verse 12 (bhagavata.10.53.12)

चक्रुः सामर्ग्यजुर्मन्त्रैर्वध्वा रक्षां द्विजोत्तमाः । पुरोहितोऽथर्वविद्वै जुहाव ग्रहशान्तये ॥ १२ ॥

cakruḥ sāma-rg-yajur-mantrair vadhvā rakṣāṁ dvijottamāḥ purohito ’tharva-vid vai juhāva graha-śāntaye

The finest brahmanas chanted hymns of the Sama, Rig and Yajur Vedas for the bride's protection, while the priest, learned in the Atharva Veda, poured oblations to pacify the planets.

Verse 13 (bhagavata.10.53.13)

हिरण्यरूप्यवासांसि तिलांश्च गुडमिश्रितान् । प्रादाद् धेनूश्च विप्रेभ्यो राजा विधिविदां वरः ॥ १३ ॥

hiraṇya-rūpya vāsāṁsi tilāṁś ca guḍa-miśritān prādād dhenūś ca viprebhyo rājā vidhi-vidāṁ varaḥ

The King, foremost among knowers of ritual law, gave gold, silver, garments, cows, and sesame mixed with jaggery to the brahmanas.

Verse 14 (bhagavata.10.53.14)

एवं चेदिपती राजा दमघोषः सुताय वै । कारयामास मन्त्रज्ञैः सर्वमभ्युदयोचितम् ॥ १४ ॥

evaṁ cedi-patī rājā damaghoṣaḥ sutāya vai kārayām āsa mantra-jñaiḥ sarvam abhyudayocitam

In the same way King Damaghosha, lord of Chedi, had brahmanas skilled in mantras perform for his son all rites conducive to prosperity.

Verse 15 (bhagavata.10.53.15)

मदच्युद्भिर्गजानीकैः स्यन्दनैर्हेममालिभिः । पत्त्यश्वसङ्कुलैः सैन्यैः परीतः कुण्डिनं ययौ ॥ १५ ॥

mada-cyudbhir gajānīkaiḥ syandanair hema-mālibhiḥ patty-aśva-saṅkulaiḥ sainyaiḥ parītaḥ kuṇdīnaṁ yayau

Surrounded by elephant hordes dripping with musth, chariots hung with golden garlands, and armies thick with infantry and cavalry, he set out for Kundina.

Verse 16 (bhagavata.10.53.16)

तं वै विदर्भाधिपतिः समभ्येत्याभिपूज्य च । निवेशयामास मुदा कल्पितान्यनिवेशने ॥ १६ ॥

taṁ vai vidarbhādhipatiḥ samabhyetyābhipūjya ca niveśayām āsa mudā kalpitānya-niveśane

Bhishmaka, lord of Vidarbha, came forward to receive him with due honor and, with pleasure, lodged him in a specially prepared residence.

Verse 17 (bhagavata.10.53.17)

तत्र शाल्वो जरासन्धो दन्तवक्रो विदूरथः । आजग्मुश्चैद्यपक्षीयाः पौण्ड्रकाद्याः सहस्रशः ॥ १७ ॥

tatra śālvo jarāsandho dantavakro vidūrathaḥ ājagmuś caidya-pakṣīyāḥ pauṇḍrakādyāḥ sahasraśaḥ

There too came Shalva, Jarasandha, Dantavakra and Viduratha, along with Paundraka and thousands of other kings taking Shishupala's side.

Verse 18 (bhagavata.10.53.18)

कृष्णरामद्विषो यत्ताः कन्यां चैद्याय साधितुम् । यद्यागत्य हरेत् कृष्णो रामाद्यैर्यदुभिर्वृतः ॥ १८ ॥

kṛṣṇa-rāma-dviṣo yattāḥ kanyāṁ caidyāya sādhitum yady āgatya haret kṛṣno rāmādyair yadubhir vṛtaḥ

The enemies of Krishna and Balarama, determined to secure the bride for Shishupala, resolved among themselves, ‘Should Krishna come here to steal her away, accompanied by Balarama and other Yadus, we shall join together and fight Him.’

Verse 19 (bhagavata.10.53.19)

योत्स्यामः संहतास्तेन इति निश्चितमानसाः । आजग्मुर्भूभुजः सर्वे समग्रबलवाहनाः ॥ १९ ॥

yotsyāmaḥ saṁhatās tena iti niścita-mānasāḥ ājagmur bhū-bhujaḥ sarve samagra-bala-vāhanāḥ

Thus resolved, all those kings arrived with their complete forces and mounts.

Verse 20 (bhagavata.10.53.20)

श्रुत्वैतद् भगवान् रामो विपक्षीयनृपोद्यमम् । कृष्णं चैकं गतं हर्तुं कन्यां कलहशङ्कितः ॥ २० ॥

śrutvaitad bhagavān rāmo vipakṣīya nṛpodyamam kṛṣṇaṁ caikaṁ gataṁ hartuṁ kanyāṁ kalaha-śaṅkitaḥ

Hearing of the hostile kings' preparations and that Krishna had gone alone to take away the bride, Lord Balarama, fearing a conflict, hurried to Kundina.

Verse 21 (bhagavata.10.53.21)

बलेन महता सार्धं भ्रातृस्नेहपरिप्लुतः । त्वरितः कुण्डिनं प्रागाद् गजाश्वरथपत्तिभिः ॥ २१ ॥

balena mahatā sārdhaṁ bhrātṛ-sneha-pariplutaḥ tvaritaḥ kuṇḍinaṁ prāgād gajāśva-ratha-pattibhiḥ

Overwhelmed with brotherly affection, He went swiftly with a mighty army of elephants, horses, chariots and foot soldiers.

Verse 22 (bhagavata.10.53.22)

भीष्मकन्या वरारोहा काङ्क्षन्त्यागमनं हरेः । प्रत्यापत्तिमपश्यन्ती द्विजस्याचिन्तयत्तदा ॥ २२ ॥

bhīṣma-kanyā varārohā kāṅkṣanty āgamanaṁ hareḥ pratyāpattim apaśyantī dvijasyācintayat tadā

The lovely-hipped daughter of Bhishmaka awaited Hari's arrival, and when she did not see the brahmana return, she began to think as follows.

Verse 23 (bhagavata.10.53.23)

अहो त्रियामान्तरित उद्वाहो मेऽल्पराधसः । नागच्छत्यरविन्दाक्षो नाहं वेद्म्यत्र कारणम् । सोऽपि नावर्ततेऽद्यापि मत्सन्देशहरो द्विजः ॥ २३ ॥

aho tri-yāmāntarita udvāho me ’lpa-rādhasaḥ nāgacchaty aravindākṣo nāhaṁ vedmy atra kāraṇam so ’pi nāvartate ’dyāpi mat-sandeśa-haro dvijaḥ

Rukmini thought: ‘Alas, my wedding comes with the night's end! How unfortunate I am — lotus-eyed Krishna does not come, and I do not know the reason; even the brahmana who bore my message has not yet returned.’

Verse 24 (bhagavata.10.53.24)

अपि मय्यनवद्यात्मा दृष्ट्वा किञ्चिज्जुगुप्सितम् । मत्पाणिग्रहणे नूनं नायाति हि कृतोद्यमः ॥ २४ ॥

api mayy anavadyātmā dṛṣṭvā kiñcij jugupsitam mat-pāṇi-grahaṇe nūnaṁ nāyāti hi kṛtodyamaḥ

‘Perhaps the faultless one, having seen something contemptible in me, has, though He had made up His mind, not come to take my hand.’

Verse 25 (bhagavata.10.53.25)

दुर्भगाया न मे धाता नानुकूलो महेश्वरः । देवी वा विमुखी गौरी रुद्राणी गिरिजा सती ॥ २५ ॥

durbhagāyā na me dhātā nānukūlo maheśvaraḥ devī vā vimukhī gaurī rudrāṇī girijā satī

‘I am truly unfortunate — neither the creator Brahma nor great Shiva is favorable to me, or perhaps the goddess herself, known as Gauri, Rudrani, Girija and Sati, has turned against me.’

Verse 26 (bhagavata.10.53.26)

एवं चिन्तयती बाला गोविन्दहृतमानसा । न्यमीलयत कालज्ञा नेत्रे चाश्रुकलाकुले ॥ २६ ॥

evaṁ cintayatī bālā govinda-hṛta-mānasā nyamīlayata kāla-jñā netre cāśru-kalākule

Thinking thus, the young girl, her mind stolen by Govinda, closed her tear-brimming eyes, still mindful that time yet remained.

Verse 27 (bhagavata.10.53.27)

एवं वध्वाः प्रतीक्षन्त्या गोविन्दागमनं नृप । वाम ऊरुर्भुजो नेत्रमस्फुरन् प्रियभाषिणः ॥ २७ ॥

evaṁ vadhvāḥ pratīkṣantyā govindāgamanaṁ nṛpa vāma ūrur bhujo netram asphuran priya-bhāṣiṇaḥ

O King, as the bride thus awaited Govinda's arrival, her left thigh, arm and eye began to throb — a sign of something dear about to come.

Verse 28 (bhagavata.10.53.28)

अथ कृष्णविनिर्दिष्टः स एव द्विजसत्तमः । अन्तःपुरचरीं देवीं राजपुत्रीं ददर्श ह ॥ २८ ॥

atha kṛṣṇa-vinirdiṣṭaḥ sa eva dvija-sattamaḥ antaḥpura-carīṁ devīṁ rāja-putrīm dadarśa ha

Then, sent by Krishna, that same purest of brahmanas came and beheld the divine princess within the inner palace.

Verse 29 (bhagavata.10.53.29)

सा तं प्रहृष्टवदनमव्यग्रात्मगतिं सती । आलक्ष्य लक्षणाभिज्ञा समपृच्छच्छुचिस्मिता ॥ २९ ॥

sā taṁ prahṛṣṭa-vadanam avyagrātma-gatiṁ satī ālakṣya lakṣaṇābhijñā samapṛcchac chuci-smitā

Noticing his joyful face and unagitated bearing, the saintly Rukmini, expert at reading such signs, questioned him with a pure smile.

Verse 30 (bhagavata.10.53.30)

तस्या आवेदयत् प्राप्तं शशंस यदुनन्दनम् । उक्तं च सत्यवचनमात्मोपनयनं प्रति ॥ ३० ॥

tasyā āvedayat prāptaṁ śaśaṁsa yadu-nandanam uktaṁ ca satya-vacanam ātmopanayanaṁ prati

He informed her that the descendant of Yadu had arrived, and repeated to her His truthful promise concerning His taking her hand.

Verse 31 (bhagavata.10.53.31)

तमागतं समाज्ञाय वैदर्भी हृष्टमानसा । न पश्यन्ती ब्राह्मणाय प्रियमन्यन्ननाम सा ॥ ३१ ॥

tam āgataṁ samājñāya vaidarbhī hṛṣṭa-mānasā na paśyantī brāhmaṇāya priyam anyan nanāma sā

Learning of His arrival, Vaidarbhi's heart filled with joy; finding nothing else fitting to offer the brahmana, she simply bowed down to him.

Verse 32 (bhagavata.10.53.32)

प्राप्तौ श्रुत्वा स्वदुहितुरुद्वाहप्रेक्षणोत्सुकौ । अभ्ययात्तूर्यघोषेण रामकृष्णौ समर्हणैः ॥ ३२ ॥

prāptau śrutvā sva-duhitur udvāha-prekṣaṇotsukau abhyayāt tūrya-ghoṣeṇa rāma-kṛṣṇau samarhaṇaiḥ

Hearing that Rama and Krishna had arrived eager to witness his daughter's wedding, the King went forward with due offerings amid the resounding of musical instruments.

Verse 33 (bhagavata.10.53.33)

मधुपर्कमुपानीय वासांसि विरजांसि सः । उपायनान्यभीष्टानि विधिवत् समपूजयत् ॥ ३३ ॥

madhu-parkam upānīya vāsāṁsi virajāṁsi saḥ upāyanāny abhīṣṭāni vidhi-vat samapūjayat

Bringing the traditional madhu-parka offering, fresh garments and other desired gifts, he worshiped Them according to scriptural rites.

Verse 34 (bhagavata.10.53.34)

तयोर्निवेशनं श्रीमदुपाकल्प्य महामतिः । ससैन्ययोः सानुगयोरातिथ्यं विदधे यथा ॥ ३४ ॥

tayor niveśanaṁ śrīmad upākalpya mahā-matiḥ sa-sainyayoḥ sānugayor ātithyaṁ vidadhe yathā

The generous King arranged opulent lodging for Them, together with Their soldiers and companions, extending proper hospitality throughout.

Verse 35 (bhagavata.10.53.35)

एवं राज्ञां समेतानां यथावीर्यं यथावयः । यथाबलं यथावित्तं सर्वैः कामैः समर्हयत् ॥ ३५ ॥

evaṁ rājñāṁ sametānāṁ yathā-vīryaṁ yathā-vayaḥ yathā-balaṁ yathā-vittaṁ sarvaiḥ kāmaiḥ samarhayat

Thus he honored all the assembled kings with every desirable thing, according to each one's valor, age, strength and wealth.

Verse 36 (bhagavata.10.53.36)

कृष्णमागतमाकर्ण्य विदर्भपुरवासिनः । आगत्य नेत्राञ्जलिभिः पपुस्तन्मुखपङ्कजम् ॥ ३६ ॥

kṛṣṇam āgatam ākarṇya vidarbha-pura-vāsinaḥ āgatya netrāñjalibhiḥ papus tan-mukha-paṅkajam

Hearing that Krishna had come, the residents of Vidarbha-pura hurried to Him and, with the cupped palms of their eyes, drank in His lotus face.

Verse 37 (bhagavata.10.53.37)

अस्यैव भार्या भवितुं रुक्मिण्यर्हति नापरा । असावप्यनवद्यात्मा भैष्म्याः समुचितः पतिः ॥ ३७ ॥

asyaiva bhāryā bhavituṁ rukmiṇy arhati nāparā asāv apy anavadyātmā bhaiṣmyāḥ samucitaḥ patiḥ

‘Rukmini alone, and none other, deserves to be His wife,’ they said, ‘and He alone, of flawless form, is the fitting husband for the daughter of Bhishmaka.’

Verse 38 (bhagavata.10.53.38)

किञ्चित्सुचरितं यन्नस्तेन तुष्टस्त्रिलोककृत् । अनुगृह्णातु गृह्णातु वैदर्भ्याः पाणिमच्युतः ॥ ३८ ॥

kiñcit su-caritaṁ yan nas tena tuṣṭas tri-loka-kṛt anugṛhṇātu gṛhṇātu vaidarbhyāḥ pāṇim acyutaḥ

‘May Achyuta, creator of the three worlds, be pleased with whatever little good we have done, show us His grace, and take the hand of Vaidarbhi.’

Verse 39 (bhagavata.10.53.39)

एवं प्रेमकलाबद्धा वदन्ति स्म पुरौकसः । कन्या चान्तःपुरात् प्रागाद् भटैर्गुप्ताम्बिकालयम् ॥ ३९ ॥

evaṁ prema-kalā-baddhā vadanti sma puraukasaḥ kanyā cāntaḥ-purāt prāgād bhaṭair guptāmbikālayam

Thus, bound by their swelling love, the city's residents spoke; meanwhile the bride, guarded by soldiers, left the inner palace for the temple of Ambika.

Verse 40 (bhagavata.10.53.40)

पद्भ्यां विनिर्ययौ द्रष्टुं भवान्याः पादपल्लवम् । सा चानुध्यायती सम्यङ्मुकुन्दचरणाम्बुजम् ॥ ४० ॥

padbhyāṁ viniryayau draṣṭuṁ bhavānyāḥ pāda-pallavam sā cānudhyāyatī samyaṅ mukunda-caraṇāmbujam

She went on foot to behold the lotus-petal feet of mother Bhavani, her mind wholly absorbed in meditation upon the lotus feet of Mukunda.

Verse 41 (bhagavata.10.53.41)

यतवाङ्मातृभिः सार्धं सखीभिः परिवारिता । गुप्ता राजभटैः शूरैः सन्नद्धैरुद्यतायुधैः । मृदङ्गशङ्खपणवास्तूर्यभेर्यश्च जघ्निरे ॥ ४१ ॥

yata-vāṅ mātṛbhiḥ sārdhaṁ sakhībhiḥ parivāritā guptā rāja-bhaṭaiḥ śūraiḥ sannaddhair udyatāyudhaiḥ mṛḍaṅga-śaṅkha-paṇavās tūrya-bheryaś ca jaghnire

Silent, accompanied by her mothers and companions, protected by the King's brave soldiers with weapons upraised, she went along as mridangas, conches, panavas and horns resounded.

Verse 42 (bhagavata.10.53.42)

नानोपहारबलिभिर्वारमुख्याः सहस्रशः । स्रग्गन्धवस्त्राभरणैर्द्विजपत्न्यः स्वलङ्कृताः ॥ ४२ ॥

nānopahāra balibhir vāramukhyāḥ sahasraśaḥ srag-gandha-vastrābharaṇair dvija-patnyaḥ sv-alaṅkṛtāḥ

Thousands of leading courtesans followed with varied offerings and gifts, along with brahmanas' wives, finely adorned with garlands, scents, garments and jewels.

Verse 43 (bhagavata.10.53.43)

गायन्त्यश्च स्तुवन्तश्च गायका वाद्यवादकाः । परिवार्य वधूं जग्मुः सूतमागधवन्दिनः ॥ ४३ ॥

gāyantyaś ca stuvantaś ca gāyakā vādya-vādakāḥ parivārya vadhūṁ jagmuḥ sūta-māgadha-vandinaḥ

Singers and reciters of praise, musicians, and court bards and chroniclers surrounded the bride and moved along with her.

Verse 44 (bhagavata.10.53.44)

आसाद्य देवीसदनं धौतपादकराम्बुजा । उपस्पृश्य शुचिः शान्ता प्रविवेशाम्बिकान्तिकम् ॥ ४४ ॥

āsādya devī-sadanaṁ dhauta-pāda-karāmbujā upaspṛśya śuciḥ śāntā praviveśāmbikāntikam

Reaching the goddess's temple, she washed her lotus-like feet and hands, sipped water for purification, and, sanctified and calm, entered the presence of Ambika.

Verse 45 (bhagavata.10.53.45)

तां वै प्रवयसो बालां विधिज्ञा विप्रयोषितः । भवानीं वन्दयांचक्रुर्भवपत्नीं भवान्विताम् ॥ ४५ ॥

tāṁ vai pravayaso bālāṁ vidhi-jñā vipra-yoṣitaḥ bhavānīṁ vandayāṁ cakrur bhava-patnīṁ bhavānvitām

The elderly wives of the brahmanas, learned in ritual procedure, then guided the young girl in offering worship to Bhavani, who appeared there together with her husband, Lord Bhava.

Verse 46 (bhagavata.10.53.46)

नमस्ये त्वाम्बिकेऽभीक्ष्णं स्वसन्तानयुतां शिवाम् । भूयात् पतिर्मे भगवान् कृष्णस्तदनुमोदताम् ॥ ४६ ॥

namasye tvāmbike ’bhīkṣṇaṁ sva-santāna-yutāṁ śivām bhūyāt patir me bhagavān kṛṣṇas tad anumodatām

Rukmini prayed: ‘I bow to you again and again, O Ambika, together with your children, O auspicious consort of Shiva. May the Lord Krishna become my husband — please grant this!’

Verse 47 (bhagavata.10.53.47)

अद्भिर्गन्धाक्षतैर्धूपैर्वासःस्रङ्माल्यभूषणैः । नानोपहारबलिभिः प्रदीपावलिभिः पृथक् ॥ ४७ ॥

adbhir gandhākṣatair dhūpair vāsaḥ-sraṅ-mālya bhūṣaṇaiḥ nānopahāra-balibhiḥ pradīpāvalibhiḥ pṛthak

With water, scents, whole rice, incense, garments, garlands, necklaces, ornaments, various offerings and gifts, and rows of lamps,

Verse 48 (bhagavata.10.53.48)

विप्रस्त्रियः पतिमतीस्तथा तैः समपूजयत् । लवणापूपताम्बूलकण्ठसूत्रफलेक्षुभिः ॥ ४८ ॥

vipra-striyaḥ patimatīs tathā taiḥ samapūjayat lavaṇāpūpa-tāmbūla- kaṇṭha-sūtra-phalekṣubhiḥ

the wives of the brahmanas, each accompanied by her husband, worshiped the goddess likewise, offering also savories, betel, sacred thread, fruit and sugarcane juice.

Verse 49 (bhagavata.10.53.49)

तस्यै स्त्रियस्ताः प्रददुः शेषां युयुजुराशिषः । ताभ्यो देव्यै नमश्चक्रे शेषां च जगृहे वधूः ॥ ४९ ॥

tasyai striyas tāḥ pradaduḥ śeṣāṁ yuyujur āśiṣaḥ tābhyo devyai namaś cakre śeṣāṁ ca jagṛhe vadhūḥ

The women then gave Rukmini the remnants of the offering and bestowed their blessings upon her; she in turn bowed to them and to the goddess, and accepted the remnants.

Verse 50 (bhagavata.10.53.50)

मुनिव्रतमथ त्यक्त्वा निश्चक्रामाम्बिकागृहात् । प्रगृह्य पाणिना भृत्यां रत्नमुद्रोपशोभिना ॥ ५० ॥

muni-vratam atha tyaktvā niścakrāmāmbikā-gṛhāt pragṛhya pāṇinā bhṛtyāṁ ratna-mudropaśobhinā

Then, giving up her vow of silence, the princess left Ambika's temple, holding by the hand a maidservant whose fingers were graced with a jeweled ring.

Verse 51 (bhagavata.10.53.51)

तां देवमायामिव धीरमोहिनीं सुमध्यमां कुण्डलमण्डिताननाम् । श्यामां नितम्बार्पितरत्नमेखलां व्यञ्जत्स्तनीं कुन्तलशङ्कितेक्षणाम् । शुचिस्मितां बिम्बफलाधरद्युति- शोणायमानद्विजकुन्दकुड्मलाम् ॥ ५१ ॥

tāṁ deva-māyām iva dhīra-mohinīṁ su-madhyamāṁ kuṇḍala-maṇḍitānanām śyāmāṁ nitambārpita-ratna-mekhalāṁ vyañjat-stanīṁ kuntala-śaṅkitekṣaṇām

She appeared as enchanting as the Lord's own bewildering potency, her waist slender, her face adorned with earrings, her uncontaminated beauty dark and radiant, a jeweled belt set upon her hips, her breasts just budding, her glance seeming wary of her own stray locks of hair.

Verse 52 (bhagavata.10.53.52)

पदा चलन्तीं कलहंसगामिनीं सिञ्जत्कलानूपुरधामशोभिना । विलोक्य वीरा मुमुहुः समागता यशस्विनस्तत्कृतहृच्छयार्दिताः ॥ ५२ ॥

śuci-smitāṁ bimba-phalādhara-dyuti- śoṇāyamāna-dvija-kunda-kuḍmalām padā calantīṁ kala-haṁsa-gāminīṁ siñjat-kalā-nūpura-dhāma-śobhinā

With a pure smile, her teeth like jasmine buds reddened by the glow of her bimba-fruit lips, she moved with the graceful gait of a swan, the soft chime of her jeweled anklets adding to her splendor.

Verse 53 (bhagavata.10.53.53)

यां वीक्ष्य ते नृपतयस्तदुदारहास- व्रीदावलोकहृतचेतस उज्झितास्त्राः । पेतुः क्षितौ गजरथाश्वगता विमूढा यात्राच्छलेन हरयेऽर्पयतीं स्वशोभाम् ॥ ५३ ॥

vilokya vīrā mumuhuḥ samāgatā yaśasvinas tat-kṛta-hṛc-chayārditāḥ yāṁ vīkṣya te nṛpatayas tad udāra-hāsa- vrīdāvaloka-hṛta-cetasa ujjhitāstrāḥ

Seeing her, the assembled heroes, renowned though they were, fell into confusion, their hearts pierced by desire she had stirred; those kings, beholding her generous smile and bashful glance, lost their senses and let their weapons fall.

Verse 54 (bhagavata.10.53.54)

सैवं शनैश्चलयती चलपद्मकोशौ प्राप्तिं तदा भगवतः प्रसमीक्षमाणा । उत्सार्य वामकरजैरलकानपाङ्गैः प्राप्तान् ह्रियैक्षत नृपान् ददृशेऽच्युतं च ॥ ५४ ॥

petuḥ kṣitau gaja-rathāśva-gatā vimūḍhā yātrā-cchalena haraye ’rpayatīṁ sva-śobhām saivaṁ śanaiś calayatī cala-padma-kośau prāptiṁ tadā bhagavataḥ prasamīkṣamāṇā

Riding on elephants, chariots and horses, they fell bewildered to the ground, as she, under the pretext of the procession, offered her own beauty to Hari — slowly moving, her lotus-bud feet stirring, all the while watching for the Lord's approach.

Verse 55 (bhagavata.10.53.55)

तां राजकन्यां रथमारुरुक्षतीं जहार कृष्णो द्विषतां समीक्षताम् ॥ ५५ ॥

utsārya vāma-karajair alakān apaṅgaiḥ prāptān hriyaikṣata nṛpān dadṛśe ’cyutaṁ ca tāṁ rāja-kanyāṁ ratham ārurakṣatīṁ jahāra kṛṣṇo dviṣatāṁ samīkṣatām

Pushing back with her left hand's nails the locks that fell across the corners of her eyes, she glanced shyly at the assembled kings — and then saw Achyuta; and as the enemy kings looked on, Krishna seized the princess just as she was about to mount her chariot.

Verse 56 (bhagavata.10.53.56)

रथं समारोप्य सुपर्णलक्षणं राजन्यचक्रं परिभूय माधवः । ततो ययौ रामपुरोगमः शनैः शृगालमध्यादिव भागहृद्धरिः ॥ ५६ ॥

rathaṁ samāropya suparṇa-lakṣaṇaṁ rājanya-cakraṁ paribhūya mādhavaḥ tato yayau rāma-purogamaḥ śanaiḥ śṛgāla-madhyād iva bhāga-hṛd dhariḥ

Lifting her onto His chariot marked with the emblem of Garuda, Madhava overpowered the ring of kings; then, with Balarama going before Him, Hari slowly departed — like a lion carrying off his rightful share from the midst of jackals.

Verse 57 (bhagavata.10.53.57)

तं मानिनः स्वाभिभवं यशःक्षयं परे जरासन्धमुखा न सेहिरे । अहो धिगस्मान् यश आत्तधन्वनां गोपैर्हृतं केशरिणां मृगैरिव ॥ ५७ ॥

taṁ māninaḥ svābhibhavaṁ yaśaḥ-kṣayaṁ pare jarāsandha-mukhā na sehire aho dhig asmān yaśa ātta-dhanvanāṁ gopair hṛtaṁ keśariṇāṁ mṛgair iva

Those proud enemies, led by Jarasandha, could not bear this ruin of their honor and this defeat; they cried out, ‘Ah, shame upon us! We who bear the bow have had our glory stolen by mere cowherds, as small creatures might steal the honor of lions!’