Krishna Teases Rukmini

Verse 1 (bhagavata.10.60.1)

श्रीबादरायणिरुवाच कर्हिचित् सुखमासीनं स्वतल्पस्थं जगद्गुरुम् । पतिं पर्यचरद् भैष्मी व्यजनेन सखीजनैः ॥ 60.1 ॥

śrī-bādarāyaṇir uvāca karhicit sukham āsīnaṁ sva-talpa-sthaṁ jagad-gurum patiṁ paryacarad bhaiṣmī vyajanena sakhī-janaiḥ

Shri Badarayani said: Once, comfortably seated on her own bed, Bhaishmi (Rukmini) served her husband, the preceptor of the universe, together with her companions, fanning Him.

Verse 2 (bhagavata.10.60.2)

यस्त्वेतल्लीलया विश्वं सृजत्यत्त्यवतीश्वरः । स हि जातः स्वसेतूनां गोपीथाय यदुष्वजः ॥ 60.2 ॥

yas tv etal līlayā viśvaṁ sṛjaty atty avatīśvaraḥ sa hi jātaḥ sva-setūnāṁ gopīthāya yaduṣv ajaḥ

He who, as His own play, creates, devours and protects this universe, that supreme controller, the unborn Lord, took birth among the Yadus to guard His own laws.

Verse 3 (bhagavata.10.60.3)

तस्मिनन्तर्गृहे भ्राजन्मुक्तादामविलम्बिना । विराजिते वितानेन दीपैर्मणिमयैरपि ॥ 60.3 ॥

tasmin antar-gṛhe bhrājan- muktā-dāma-vilambinā virājite vitānena dīpair maṇi-mayair api

In that inner chamber, resplendent with a canopy hung with strings of gleaming pearls and with lamps made of jewels,

Verse 4 (bhagavata.10.60.4)

मल्लिकादामभिः पुष्पैर्द्विरेफकुलनादिते । जालरन्ध्रप्रविष्टैश्च गोभिश्चन्द्रमसोऽमलैः ॥ 60.4 ॥

mallikā-dāmabhiḥ puṣpair dvirepha-kula-nādite jāla-randhra-praviṣṭaiś ca gobhiś candramaso ’malaiḥ

resounding with swarms of bees drawn to garlands of jasmine and other flowers, and lit by the spotless moonbeams entering through the holes of the lattice windows,

Verse 5 (bhagavata.10.60.5)

पारिजातवनामोदवायुनोद्यानशालिना । धूपैरगुरुजै राजन् जालरन्ध्रविनिर्गतैः ॥ 60.5 ॥

pārijāta-vanāmoda- vāyunodyāna-śālinā dhūpair aguru-jai rājan jāla-randhra-vinirgataiḥ

borne on a breeze carrying the fragrance of the Parijata grove, as if bringing a garden's presence within, together with the scent of aguru incense drifting out through the lattice-holes, O King,

Verse 6 (bhagavata.10.60.6)

पयःफेननिभे शुभ्रे पर्यङ्के कशिपूत्तमे । उपतस्थे सुखासीनं जगतामीश्वरं पतिम् ॥ 60.6 ॥

payaḥ-phena-nibhe śubhre paryaṅke kaśipūttame upatasthe sukhāsīnaṁ jagatām īśvaraṁ patim

on a bed white as the foam of milk, upon an excellent pillow, she served her husband, the Lord of all the worlds, who sat there at ease.

Verse 7 (bhagavata.10.60.7)

वालव्यजनमादाय रत्नदण्डं सखीकरात् । तेन वीजयती देवी उपासां चक्र ईश्वरम् ॥ 60.7 ॥

vāla-vyajanam ādāya ratna-daṇḍaṁ sakhī-karāt tena vījayatī devī upāsāṁ cakra īśvaram

Taking from her maidservant's hand a yak-tail fan with a jeweled handle, the goddess began to worship her Lord by fanning Him.

Verse 8 (bhagavata.10.60.8)

सोपाच्युतं क्वणयती मणिनूपुराभ्यां रेजेऽङ्गुलीयवलयव्यजनाग्रहस्ता । वस्त्रान्तगूढकुचकुङ्कुमशोणहार- भासा नितम्बधृतया च परार्ध्यकाञ्च्या ॥ 60.8 ॥

sopācyutaṁ kvaṇayatī maṇi-nūpurābhyāṁ reje ’ṅgulīya-valaya-vyajanāgra-hastā vastrānta-gūḍha-kuca-kuṅkuma-śoṇa-hāra- bhāsā nitamba-dhṛtayā ca parārdhya-kāñcyā

Standing beside Achyuta, her jeweled anklets tinkling, her fan-holding hand adorned with rings and bangles, she shone resplendent — the glow of her necklace reddened where it lay against the kumkum on her breasts, half-hidden by the edge of her garment, and a priceless girdle encircling her hips.

Verse 9 (bhagavata.10.60.9)

तां रूपिणीं श्रियमनन्यगतिं निरीक्ष्य या लीलया धृततनोरनुरूपरूपा । प्रीतः स्मयन्नलककुण्डलनिष्ककण्ठ- वक्त्रोल्लसत्स्मितसुधां हरिराबभाषे ॥ 60.9 ॥

tāṁ rūpiṇīṁ śrīyam ananya-gatiṁ nirīkṣya yā līlayā dhṛta-tanor anurūpa-rūpā prītaḥ smayann alaka-kuṇḍala-niṣka-kaṇṭha- vaktrollasat-smita-sudhāṁ harir ābabhāṣe

Beholding her — the very goddess of fortune in bodily form, whose only refuge is Him, her form perfectly fitted to His own, which He assumes only in play — Hari, pleased and smiling, spoke, the nectar of His bright smile playing about His face adorned with curling locks, earrings, and the ornament at His throat.

Verse 10 (bhagavata.10.60.10)

श्रीभगवानुवाच राजपुत्रीप्सिता भूपैर्लोकपालविभूतिभिः । महानुभावैः श्रीमद्भी रूपौदार्यबलोर्जितैः ॥ 60.10 ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca rāja-putrīpsitā bhūpair loka-pāla-vibhūtibhiḥ mahānubhāvaiḥ śrīmadbhī rūpaudārya-balorjitaiḥ

The Supreme Lord said: O princess, you were desired by kings as powerful as the guardians of the planets — men of great influence, opulence, endowed abundantly with beauty, generosity and strength.

Verse 11 (bhagavata.10.60.11)

तान्प्राप्तानर्थिनो हित्वा चैद्यादीन् स्मरदुर्मदान् । दत्ता भ्रात्रा स्वपित्रा च कस्मान्नो ववृषेऽसमान् ॥ 60.11 ॥

tān prāptān arthino hitvā caidyādīn smara-durmadān dattā bhrātrā sva-pitrā ca kasmān no vavṛṣe ’samān

Rejecting the King of Chedi and the other eager suitors who stood before you, given by your brother and father — why did you choose Us, who are not their equal?

Verse 12 (bhagavata.10.60.12)

राजभ्यो बिभ्यतः सुभ्रु समुद्रं शरणं गतान् । बलवद्भिः कृतद्वेषान् प्रायस्त्यक्तनृपासनान् ॥ 60.12 ॥

rājabhyo bibhyataḥ su-bhru samudraṁ śaraṇaṁ gatān balavadbhiḥ kṛta-dveṣān prāyas tyakta-nṛpāsanān

O fair-browed one, afraid of these kings We took refuge in the ocean; We have earned the enmity of the powerful, and We have all but abandoned any royal throne.

Verse 13 (bhagavata.10.60.13)

अस्पष्टवर्त्मनां पुंसामलोकपथमीयुषाम् । आस्थिताः पदवीं सुभ्रु प्रायः सीदन्ति योषितः ॥ 60.13 ॥

aspaṣṭa-vartmanām puṁsām aloka-patham īyuṣām āsthitāḥ padavīṁ su-bhru prāyaḥ sīdanti yoṣitaḥ

O fine-browed one, women who follow the path of men whose conduct is uncertain and who tread ways unaccepted by society generally come to suffer.

Verse 14 (bhagavata.10.60.14)

निष्किञ्चना वयं शश्वन्निष्किञ्चनजनप्रियाः । तस्मात् प्रायेण न ह्याढ्या मां भजन्ति सुमध्यमे ॥ 60.14 ॥

niṣkiñcanā vayaṁ śaśvan niṣkiñcana-jana-priyāḥ tasmā tprāyeṇa na hy āḍhyā māṁ bhajanti su-madhyame

We are always without possessions, and dear only to those who likewise possess nothing; therefore, O slender-waisted one, the wealthy rarely worship Me.

Verse 15 (bhagavata.10.60.15)

ययोरात्मसमं वित्तं जन्मैश्वर्याकृतिर्भवः । तयोर्विवाहो मैत्री च नोत्तमाधमयोः क्वचित् ॥ 60.15 ॥

yayor ātma-samaṁ vittaṁ janmaiśvaryākṛtir bhavaḥ tayor vivāho maitrī ca nottamādhamayoḥ kvacit

Marriage and friendship are proper only between those whose wealth, birth, influence, appearance and family standing are alike — never between the superior and the inferior.

Verse 16 (bhagavata.10.60.16)

वैदर्भ्येतदविज्ञाय त्वयादीर्घसमीक्षया । वृता वयं गुणैर्हीना भिक्षुभिः श्लाघिता मुधा ॥ 60.16 ॥

vaidarbhy etad avijñāya tvayādīrgha-samīkṣayā vṛtā vayaṁ guṇair hīnā bhikṣubhiḥ ślāghitā mudhā

O Vaidarbhi, not knowing this, and without far-sightedness, you chose Us, devoid of good qualities, praised only, and vainly, by beggars.

Verse 17 (bhagavata.10.60.17)

अथात्मनोऽनुरूपं वै भजस्व क्षत्रियर्षभम् । येन त्वमाशिषः सत्या इहामुत्र च लप्स्यसे ॥ 60.17 ॥

athātmano ’nurūpaṁ vai bhajasva kṣatriyarṣabham yena tvam āśiṣaḥ satyā ihāmutra ca lapsyase

Now, then, accept a husband truly suited to you — a foremost man of the royal order, by whom you may fulfill your hopes, both in this life and the next.

Verse 18 (bhagavata.10.60.18)

चैद्यशाल्वजरासन्धदन्तवक्रादयो नृपाः । मम द्विषन्ति वामोरु रुक्मी चापि तवाग्रजः ॥ 60.18 ॥

caidya-śālva-jarāsandha dantavakrādayo nṛpāḥ mama dviṣanti vāmoru rukmī cāpi tavāgrajaḥ

Kings like the King of Chedi, Shalva, Jarasandha and Dantavaktra hate Me, O fair-thighed one — and so does your own elder brother Rukmi.

Verse 19 (bhagavata.10.60.19)

तेषां वीर्यमदान्धानां दृप्तानां स्मयनुत्तये । आनितासि मया भद्रे तेजोपहरतासताम् ॥ 60.19 ॥

teṣāṁ vīrya-madāndhānāṁ dṛptānāṁ smaya-nuttaye ānitāsi mayā bhadre tejopaharatāsatām

It was to curb the arrogance of these men, blinded and proud from the intoxication of their power, that you were brought by Me, O good lady — to strip the strength of the wicked.

Verse 20 (bhagavata.10.60.20)

उदासीना वयं नूनं न स्त्र्यपत्यार्थकामुकाः । आत्मलब्ध्यास्महे पूर्णा गेहयोर्ज्योतिरक्रियाः ॥ 60.20 ॥

udāsīnā vayaṁ nūnaṁ na stry-apatyārtha-kāmukāḥ ātma-labdhyāsmahe pūrṇā gehayor jyotir-akriyāḥ

Indeed We remain indifferent, not hankering after wife, children or wealth; self-satisfied and complete, We are, toward body and home, like a witnessing light that acts not at all.

Verse 21 (bhagavata.10.60.21)

श्रीशुक उवाच एतावदुक्त्वा भगवानात्मानं वल्लभामिव । मन्यमानामविश्लेषात् तद्दर्पघ्न उपारमत् ॥ 60.21 ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca etāvad uktvā bhagavān ātmānaṁ vallabhām iva manyamānām aviśleṣāt tad-darpa-ghna upāramat

Shukadeva Gosvami said: Having said this much, the Lord, the destroyer of the pride she had conceived from thinking herself His especially beloved, on account of His never leaving her side, fell silent.

Verse 22 (bhagavata.10.60.22)

इति त्रिलोकेशपतेस्तदात्मनः प्रियस्य देव्यश्रुतपूर्वमप्रियम् । आश्रुत्य भीता हृदि जातवेपथु- श्चिन्तां दुरन्तां रुदती जगाम ह ॥ 60.22 ॥

iti trilokeśa-pates tadātmanaḥ priyasya devy aśruta-pūrvam apriyam āśrutya bhītā hṛdi jāta-vepathuś cintāṁ durantāṁ rudatī jagāma ha

Hearing from her beloved, the Lord of the lords of the three worlds, such unpleasant words as she had never heard before, the goddess was frightened; a tremor arose in her heart, and, sobbing, she fell into terrible anguish.

Verse 23 (bhagavata.10.60.23)

पदा सुजातेन नखारुणश्रिया भुवं लिखन्त्यश्रुभिरञ्जनासितैः । आसिञ्चती कुङ्कुमरूषितौ स्तनौ तस्थावधोमुख्यतिदुःखरुद्धवाक् ॥ 60.23 ॥

padā su-jātena nakhāruṇa-śrīyā bhuvaṁ likhanty aśrubhir añjanāsitaiḥ āsiñcatī kuṅkuma-rūṣitau stanau tasthāv adho-mukhy ati-duḥkha-ruddha-vāk

With her tender foot, glowing with the reddish sheen of its nails, scratching the ground, her tears, darkened by her collyrium, falling upon her kumkum-stained breasts, she stood there, face lowered, her voice choked by extreme sorrow.

Verse 24 (bhagavata.10.60.24)

तस्याः सुदुःखभयशोकविनष्टबुद्धे- र्हस्ताच्छ्लथद्वलयतो व्यजनं पपात । देहश्च विक्लवधियः सहसैव मुह्यन् रम्भेव वायुविहतो प्रविकीर्य केशान् ॥ 60.24 ॥

tasyāḥ su-duḥkha-bhaya-śoka-vinaṣṭa-buddher hastāc chlathad-valayato vyajanaṁ papāta dehaś ca viklava-dhiyaḥ sahasaiva muhyan rambheva vāyu-vihato pravikīrya keśān

Her intelligence overwhelmed by grief, fear and sorrow, the fan slipped from her hand along with her loosening bangles; and her mind reeling, her body suddenly fainted, her hair scattering, like a plantain tree felled by the wind.

Verse 25 (bhagavata.10.60.25)

तद् दृष्ट्वा भगवान् कृष्णः प्रियायाः प्रेमबन्धनम् । हास्यप्रौढिमजानन्त्याः करुणः सोऽन्वकम्पत ॥ 60.25 ॥

tad dṛṣṭvā bhagavān kṛṣṇaḥ priyāyāḥ prema-bandhanam hāsya-prauḍhim ajānantyāḥ karuṇaḥ so ’nvakampata

Seeing this — that His beloved, bound by pure love, had failed to grasp the full import of His jest — Bhagavan Krishna, ever merciful, felt compassion for her.

Verse 26 (bhagavata.10.60.26)

पर्यङ्कादवरुह्याशु तामुत्थाप्य चतुर्भुजः । केशान् समुह्य तद्वक्त्रं प्रामृजत् पद्मपाणिना ॥ 60.26 ॥

paryaṅkād avaruhyāśu tām utthāpya catur-bhujaḥ keśān samuhya tad-vaktraṁ prāmṛjat padma-pāṇinā

Quickly stepping down from the bed, manifesting four arms, He lifted her up, gathered her scattered hair, and wiped her face with His lotus hand.

Verse 27 (bhagavata.10.60.27)

प्रमृज्याश्रुकले नेत्रे स्तनौ चोपहतौ शुचा । आश्लिष्य बाहुना राजननन्यविषयां सतीम् ॥ 60.27 ॥

pramṛjyāśru-kale netre stanau copahatau śucā āśliṣya bāhunā rājan ananya-viṣayāṁ satīm

Wiping her tear-filled eyes and her breasts, disturbed by her sorrow, and embracing with His arm, O King, that chaste one whose object of devotion was none but Him —

Verse 28 (bhagavata.10.60.28)

सान्त्वयामास सान्त्वज्ञः कृपया कृपणां प्रभुः । हास्यप्रौढिभ्रमच्चित्तामतदर्हां सतां गतिः ॥ 60.28 ॥

sāntvayām āsa sāntva-jñaḥ kṛpayā kṛpaṇāṁ prabhuḥ hāsya-prauḍhi-bhramac-cittām atad-arhāṁ satāṁ gatiḥ

the Supreme Lord, expert in the art of consoling, compassionately soothed that pitiable lady — the very refuge of the pure-hearted — whose mind had been thrown into confusion by the boldness of His jest, though she deserved no such thing.

Verse 29 (bhagavata.10.60.29)

श्रीभगवानुवाच मा मा वैदर्भ्यसूयेथा जाने त्वां मत्परायणाम् । त्वद्वचः श्रोतुकामेन क्ष्वेल्याचरितमङ्गने ॥ 60.29 ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca mā mā vaidarbhy asūyethā jāne tvāṁ mat-parāyaṇām tvad-vacaḥ śrotu-kāmena kṣvelyācaritam aṅgane

The Supreme Lord said: Do not, do not be displeased with Me, O Vaidarbhi — I know you to be devoted to Me alone. I only acted playfully, wishing to hear your own words, dear lady.

Verse 30 (bhagavata.10.60.30)

मुखं च प्रेमसंरम्भस्फुरिताधरमीक्षितुम् । कटाक्षेपारुणापाङ्गं सुन्दरभ्रुकुटीतटम् ॥ 60.30 ॥

mukhaṁ ca prema-saṁrambha- sphuritādharam īkṣitum kaṭā-kṣepāruṇāpāṅgaṁ sundara-bhru-kuṭī-taṭam

I also wished to see your face, lips trembling with the agitation of love, the corners of your eyes reddened by sidelong glances, and the beautiful line of your knitted brows.

Verse 31 (bhagavata.10.60.31)

अयं हि परमो लाभो गृहेषु गृहमेधिनाम् । यन्नर्मैरीयते यामः प्रियया भीरु भामिनि ॥ 60.31 ॥

ayaṁ hi paramo lābho gṛheṣu gṛha-medhinām yan narmair īyate yāmaḥ priyayā bhīru bhāmini

This indeed is the greatest gain that householders can enjoy at home — the hours spent joking with one's beloved, O timid and spirited one.

Verse 32 (bhagavata.10.60.32)

श्रीशुक उवाच सैवं भगवता राजन् वैदर्भी परिसान्त्विता । ज्ञात्वा तत्परिहासोक्तिं प्रियत्यागभयं जहौ ॥ 60.32 ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca saivaṁ bhagavatā rājan vaidarbhī parisāntvitā jñātvā tat-parihāsoktiṁ priya-tyāga-bhayaṁ jahau

Shukadeva Gosvami said: O King, thus fully consoled by the Lord, Vaidarbhi, understanding His words to have been spoken in jest, abandoned her fear of being rejected by her beloved.

Verse 33 (bhagavata.10.60.33)

बभाष ऋषभं पुंसां वीक्षन्ती भगवन्मुखम् । सव्रीडहासरुचिरस्निग्धापाङ्गेन भारत ॥ 60.33 ॥

babhāṣa ṛṣabhaṁ puṁsāṁ vīkṣantī bhagavan-mukham sa-vrīḍa-hāsa-rucira- snigdhāpāṅgena bhārata

Gazing upon the face of the Lord, the foremost of men, with charming, affectionate, shyly smiling glances, she spoke, O descendant of Bharata.

Verse 34 (bhagavata.10.60.34)

श्रीरुक्मिण्युवाच नन्वेवमेतदरविन्दविलोचनाह यद्वै भवान् भगवतोऽसदृशी विभूम्नः । क्व स्वे महिम्न्यभिरतो भगवांस्त्र्यधीशः क्वाहं गुणप्रकृतिरज्ञगृहीतपादा ॥ 60.34 ॥

śrī-rukmiṇy uvāca nanv evam etad aravinda-vilocanāha yad vai bhavān bhagavato ’sadṛśī vibhūmnaḥ kva sve mahimny abhirato bhagavāṁs try-adhīśaḥ kvāhaṁ guṇa-prakṛtir ajña-gṛhīta-pādā

Shri Rukmini said: Well then, O lotus-eyed one, so it is as You have said — that You, unequaled and almighty, are unsuited to me. Where is Bhagavan, delighting in His own glory, the ruler of the three principal deities, and where am I, of mundane nature, whose feet are grasped only by the ignorant?

Verse 35 (bhagavata.10.60.35)

सत्यं भयादिव गुणेभ्य उरुक्रमान्तः शेते समुद्र उपलम्भनमात्र आत्मा । नित्यं कदिन्द्रियगणैः कृतविग्रहस्त्वं त्वत्सेवकैर्नृपपदं विधुतं तमोऽन्धम् ॥ 60.35 ॥

satyaṁ bhayād iva guṇebhya urukramāntaḥ śete samudra upalambhana-mātra ātmā nityaṁ kad-indriya-gaṇaiḥ kṛta-vigrahas tvaṁ tvat-sevakair nṛpa-padaṁ vidhutaṁ tamo ’ndham

True, O Urukrama, as though in fear of the gunas You lie within the ocean, the Supersoul who is pure awareness alone; ever at war with the base senses, and Your own servants reject even a king's throne as blinding darkness.

Verse 36 (bhagavata.10.60.36)

त्वत्पादपद्ममकरन्दजुषां मुनीनां वर्त्मास्फुटं नृपशुभिर्ननु दुर्विभाव्यम् । यस्मादलौकिकमिवेहितमीश्वरस्य भूमंस्तवेहितमथो अनु ये भवन्तम् ॥ 60.36 ॥

tvat-pāda-padma-makaranda-juṣāṁ munīnāṁ vartmāsphuṭaṁ nr-paśubhir nanu durvibhāvyam yasmād alaukikam ivehitam īśvarasya bhūmaṁs tavehitam atho anu ye bhavantam

Your path, unclear even to sages who relish the honey of Your lotus feet, is surely incomprehensible to men who are but animals. For, O all-powerful one, if Your own conduct is beyond the worldly, so too must be the conduct of those who follow You.

Verse 37 (bhagavata.10.60.37)

निष्किञ्चनो ननु भवान् न यतोऽस्ति किञ्चिद् यस्मै बलिं बलिभुजोऽपि हरन्त्यजाद्याः । न त्वा विदन्त्यसुतृपोऽन्तकमाढ्यतान्धाः प्रेष्ठो भवान् बलिभुजामपि तेऽपि तुभ्यम् ॥ 60.37 ॥

niṣkiñcano nanu bhavān na yato ’sti kiñcid yasmai baliṁ bali-bhujo ’pi haranty ajādyāḥ na tvā vidanty asu-tṛpo ’ntakam āḍhyatāndhāḥ preṣṭho bhavān bali-bhujām api te ’pi tubhyam

Truly You possess nothing, since there is nothing beyond You, and to You even the great enjoyers of tribute, headed by Brahma, offer their tribute. Those satisfied merely in the body, blinded by their riches, do not recognize You as death itself — yet You are most dear even to those very enjoyers of tribute, and they to You.

Verse 38 (bhagavata.10.60.38)

त्वं वै समस्तपुरुषार्थमयः फलात्मा यद्वाञ्छया सुमतयो विसृजन्ति कृत्स्नम् । तेषां विभो समुचितो भवतः समाजः पुंसः स्त्रियाश्च रतयोः सुखदुःखिनोर्न ॥ 60.38 ॥

tvaṁ vai samasta-puruṣārtha-mayaḥ phalātmā yad-vāñchayā su-matayo visṛjanti kṛtsnam teṣāṁ vibho samucito bhavataḥ samājaḥ puṁsaḥ striyāś ca ratayoḥ sukha-duḥkhinor na

You indeed are the very embodiment of all the aims of human life, the Self who is their final fruit; desiring You, the wise renounce everything. It is they alone, O almighty one, who deserve Your company — not a man and a woman bound to each other merely in lust, tasting each other's pleasure and pain.

Verse 39 (bhagavata.10.60.39)

त्वं न्यस्तदण्डमुनिभिर्गदितानुभाव आत्मात्मदश्च जगतामिति मे वृतोऽसि । हित्वा भवद्भ्रुव उदीरितकालवेग ध्वस्ताशिषोऽब्जभवनाकपतीन् कुतोऽन्ये ॥ 60.39 ॥

tvaṁ nyasta-daṇḍa-munibhir gaditānubhāva ātmātma-daś ca jagatām iti me vṛto ’si hitvā bhavad-bhruva udīrita-kāla-vega- dhvastāśiṣo ’bja-bhava-nāka-patīn kuto ’nye

Knowing You to be the one of whom sages who have set aside the ascetic's staff speak, the Supreme Soul and giver of Yourself to all the worlds — thus I chose You, rejecting Brahma, Shiva, and the lords of heaven, whose very hopes are shattered by the force of time born from Your brow. What then of lesser suitors?

Verse 40 (bhagavata.10.60.40)

जाड्यं वचस्तव गदाग्रज यस्तु भूपान् विद्राव्य शार्ङ्गनिनदेन जहर्थ मां त्वम् । सिंहो यथा स्वबलिमीश पशून् स्वभागं तेभ्यो भयाद् यदुदधिं शरणं प्रपन्नः ॥ 60.40 ॥

jāḍyaṁ vacas tava gadāgraja yas tu bhūpān vidrāvya śārṅga-ninadena jahartha māṁ tvam siṁho yathā sva-balim īśa paśūn sva-bhāgaṁ tebhyo bhayād yad udadhiṁ śaraṇaṁ prapannaḥ

It is but foolish talk, O Gadagraja, when You who drove away the assembled kings with the mere twang of Your Sharnga bow and thus took me as Your own — as a lion claims his rightful share, scattering lesser beasts — now say You took shelter in the ocean out of fear of them.

Verse 41 (bhagavata.10.60.41)

यद्वाञ्छया नृपशिखामणयोऽङ्गवैन्य- जायन्तनाहुषगयादय ऐक्यपत्यम् । राज्यं विसृज्य विविशुर्वनमम्बुजाक्ष सीदन्ति तेऽनुपदवीं त इहास्थिताः किम् ॥ 60.41 ॥

yad-vāñchayā nṛpa-śikhāmaṇayo ’nga-vainya- jāyanta-nāhuṣa-gayādaya aikya-patyam rājyaṁ visṛjya viviśur vanam ambujākṣa sīdanti te ’nupadavīṁ ta ihāsthitāḥ kim

O lotus-eyed one, it was longing for You that led the crown-jewels of kings — Anga, Vainya, Jayanta, Nahusha, Gaya and others — to abandon their unrivaled sovereignty and enter the forest. Could such men, fixed upon Your path, ever come to grief in this world?

Verse 42 (bhagavata.10.60.42)

कान्यं श्रयेत तव पादसरोजगन्ध- माघ्राय सन्मुखरितं जनतापवर्गम् । लक्ष्म्यालयं त्वविगणय्य गुणालयस्य मर्त्या सदोरुभयमर्थविविक्तदृष्टिः ॥ 60.42 ॥

kānyaṁ śrayeta tava pāda-saroja-gandham āghrāya san-mukharitaṁ janatāpavargam lakṣmy-ālayaṁ tv avigaṇayya guṇālayasya martyā sadoru-bhayam artha-viviita-dṛṣṭiḥ

What woman, having once breathed the fragrance of Your lotus feet — sung of by the saints, and the very bestower of liberation upon all people — would take shelter of any other man? Disregarding You, the abode of Lakshmi and of every virtue, what mortal woman with any true insight into her own good would ever depend upon one who lives always in great fear?

Verse 43 (bhagavata.10.60.43)

तं त्वानुरूपमभजं जगतामधीश- मात्मानमत्र च परत्र च कामपूरम् । स्यान्मे तवाङ्घ्रिररणं सृतिभिर्भ्रमन्त्या यो वै भजन्तमुपयात्यनृतापवर्गः ॥ 60.43 ॥

taṁ tvānurūpam abhajaṁ jagatām adhīśam ātmānam atra ca paratra ca kāma-pūram syān me tavāṅghrir araṇaṁ sṛtibhir bhramantyā yo vai bhajantam upayāty anṛtāpavargaḥ

It is You, so suited to me, the ultimate Lord of all the worlds, the Supreme Soul, the fulfiller of desire both here and hereafter, whom I have chosen. May Your feet, which come even to their worshiper freeing him from falsehood, be my refuge, as I wander through the cycles of birth.

Verse 44 (bhagavata.10.60.44)

तस्याः स्युरच्युत नृपा भवतोपदिष्टाः स्त्रीणां गृहेषु खरगोश्वविडालभृत्याः । यत्कर्णमूलमरिकर्षण नोपयायाद् युष्मत्कथा मृडविरिञ्चसभासु गीता ॥ 60.44 ॥

tasyāḥ syur acyuta nṛpā bhavatopadiṣṭāḥ strīṇāṁ gṛheṣu khara-go-śva-viḍāla-bhṛtyāḥ yat-karṇa-mūlam ari-karṣaṇa nopayāyād yuṣmat-kathā mṛḍa-viriñca-sabhāsu gītā

O Achyuta, let the kings You named become the husbands of women in whose homes they would live like donkeys, oxen, dogs, cats, or servants — O chastiser of enemies — women into whose ears Your own story, sung in the assemblies of Shiva and Brahma, has never once entered.

Verse 45 (bhagavata.10.60.45)

त्वक्श्मश्रुरोमनखकेशपिनद्धमन्त- र्मांसास्थिरक्तकृमिविट्कफपित्तवातम् । जीवच्छवं भजति कान्तमतिर्विमूढा या ते पदाब्जमकरन्दमजिघ्रती स्त्री ॥ 60.45 ॥

tvak-śmaśru-roma-nakha-keśa-pinaddham antar māṁsāsthi-rakta-kṛmi-viṭ-kapha-pitta-vātam jīvac-chavaṁ bhajati kānta-matir vimūḍhā yā te padābja-makarandam ajighratī strī

A totally bewildered woman who has not scented the honey of Your lotus feet accepts as her beloved a mere living corpse — wrapped in skin, whiskers, body-hair, nails and head-hair, and filled within with flesh, bone, blood, worms, stool, mucus, bile and wind.

Verse 46 (bhagavata.10.60.46)

अस्त्वम्बुजाक्ष मम ते चरणानुराग आत्मन् रतस्य मयि चानतिरिक्तदृष्टेः । यर्ह्यस्य वृद्धय उपात्तरजोऽतिमात्रो मामीक्षसे तदु ह नः परमानुकम्पा ॥ 60.46 ॥

astv ambujākṣa mama te caraṇānurāga ātman ratasya mayi cānatirikta-dṛṣṭeḥ yarhy asya vṛddhaya upātta-rajo-’ti-mātro mām īkṣase tad u ha naḥ paramānukampā

O lotus-eyed one, may I have steady devotion for Your feet, though You take pleasure only in Yourself and rarely turn Your glance toward me. When, for the increase of this universe, You assume an abundance of passion and look upon me — that indeed is Your greatest mercy to us.

Verse 47 (bhagavata.10.60.47)

नैवालीकमहं मन्ये वचस्ते मधुसूदन । अम्बाया एव हि प्रायः कन्यायाः स्याद् रतिः क्वचित् ॥ 60.47 ॥

naivālīkam ahaṁ manye vacas te madhusūdana ambāyā eva hi prāyaḥ kanyāyāḥ syād ratiḥ kvacit

I do not think Your words false, O Madhusudana — indeed, it often happens that even an unmarried maiden feels attraction, as in the case of Amba.

Verse 48 (bhagavata.10.60.48)

व्यूढायाश्चापि पुंश्चल्या मनोऽभ्येति नवं नवम् । बुधोऽसतीं न बिभृयात् तां बिभ्रदुभयच्युतः ॥ 60.48 ॥

vyūḍhāyāś cāpi puṁścalyā mano ’bhyeti navaṁ navam budho ’satīṁ na bibhṛyāt tāṁ bibhrad ubhaya-cyutaḥ

Even a married woman, if unchaste, hankers ever for new lovers; a wise man should not keep such an unfaithful wife — one who does keep her falls from good fortune in both worlds.

Verse 49 (bhagavata.10.60.49)

श्रीभगवानुवाच साध्व्येतच्छ्रोतुकामैस्त्वं राजपुत्री प्रलम्भिता । मयोदितं यदन्वात्थ सर्वं तत् सत्यमेव हि ॥ 60.49 ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca sādhvy etac-chrotu-kāmais tvaṁ rāja-putrī pralambhitā mayoditaṁ yad anvāttha sarvaṁ tat satyam eva hi

The Supreme Lord said: O saintly princess, We only deceived you because We wanted to hear you speak thus; everything you have said in reply to My words is indeed entirely true.

Verse 50 (bhagavata.10.60.50)

यान् यान् कामयसे कामान् मय्यकामाय भामिनि । सन्ति ह्येकान्तभक्तायास्तव कल्याणि नित्यद ॥ 60.50 ॥

yān yān kāmayase kāmān mayy akāmāya bhāmini santi hy ekānta-bhaktāyās tava kalyāṇi nityada

Whatever blessings you might wish for, O gracious lady, are ever yours from Me, who am free of desire — for you are My exclusively devoted one, O auspicious one.

Verse 51 (bhagavata.10.60.51)

उपलब्धं पतिप्रेम पातिव्रत्यं च तेऽनघे । यद्वाक्यैश्चाल्यमानाया न धीर्मय्यपकर्षिता ॥ 60.51 ॥

upalabdhaṁ pati-prema pāti-vratyaṁ ca te ’naghe yad vākyaiś cālyamānāyā na dhīr mayy apakarṣitā

O sinless one, I have now witnessed your love and chastity toward your husband — for even though your mind was shaken by My words, it was never truly drawn away from Me.

Verse 52 (bhagavata.10.60.52)

ये मां भजन्ति दाम्पत्ये तपसा व्रतचर्यया । कामात्मानोऽपवर्गेशं मोहिता मम मायया ॥ 60.52 ॥

ye māṁ bhajanti dāmpatye tapasā vrata-caryayā kāmātmāno ’pavargeśaṁ mohitā mama māyayā

Those who worship Me for the sake of married household life, through penance and vows, though I am the Lord of liberation itself, are lustful by nature and bewildered by My own maya.

Verse 53 (bhagavata.10.60.53)

मां प्राप्य मानिन्यपवर्गसम्पदं वाञ्छन्ति ये सम्पद एव तत्पतिम् । ते मन्दभागा निरयेऽपि ये नृणां मात्रात्मकत्वात्निरयः सुसङ्गमः ॥ 60.53 ॥

māṁ prāpya māniny apavarga-sampadaṁ vāñchanti ye sampada eva tat-patim te manda-bhāgā niraye ’pi ye nṛṇāṁ mātrātmakatvāt nirayaḥ su-saṅgamaḥ

O reservoir of love, unfortunate indeed are those who, having obtained Me, the very treasure of liberation, still desire only worldly riches from Me, their master — for such gains, being bound to sense-gratification, are found even in hell, a fitting destination for them.

Verse 54 (bhagavata.10.60.54)

दिष्ट्या गृहेश्वर्यसकृन्मयि त्वया कृतानुवृत्तिर्भवमोचनी खलैः । सुदुष्करासौ सुतरां दुराशिषो ह्यसुंभराया निकृतिं जुषः स्त्रियाः ॥ 60.54 ॥

diṣṭyā gṛheśvary asakṛn mayi tvayā kṛtānuvṛttir bhava-mocanī khalaiḥ su-duṣkarāsau sutarāṁ durāśiṣo hy asuṁ-bharāyā nikṛtiṁ juṣaḥ striyāḥ

Fortunately, O mistress of My household, your constant devoted service to Me, which liberates one from material bondage, is something very hard for the envious to accomplish — especially for a woman of wicked intent who lives only for the body and indulges in deceit.

Verse 55 (bhagavata.10.60.55)

न त्वादृशीं प्रणयिनीं गृहिणीं गृहेषु पश्यामि मानिनि यया स्वविवाहकाले । प्राप्तान् नृपान्न विगणय्य रहोहरो मे प्रस्थापितो द्विज उपश्रुतसत्कथस्य ॥ 60.55 ॥

na tvādṛśīm praṇayinīṁ gṛhiṇīṁ gṛheṣu paśyāmi mānini yayā sva-vivāha-kāle prāptān nṛpān na vigaṇayya raho-haro me prasthāpito dvija upaśruta-sat-kathasya

O respected one, in none of My homes do I find a wife as loving as you — you who, at the time of your own marriage, disregarded all the assembled kings and, having heard true accounts of Me, sent a brahmana as the bearer of your secret message.

Verse 56 (bhagavata.10.60.56)

भ्रातुर्विरूपकरणं युधि निर्जितस्य प्रोद्वाहपर्वणि च तद्वधमक्षगोष्ठ्याम् । दुःखं समुत्थमसहोऽस्मदयोगभीत्या नैवाब्रवीः किमपि तेन वयं जितास्ते ॥ 60.56 ॥

bhrātur virūpa-karaṇaṁ yudhi nirjitasya prodvāha-parvaṇi ca tad-vadham akṣa-goṣṭhyām duḥkhaṁ samuttham asaho ’smad-ayoga-bhītyā naivābravīḥ kim api tena vayaṁ jitās te

When your brother, already defeated and disfigured in battle, was later killed during the dice-match at your grandson's wedding — though the grief you bore was unbearable — you spoke not a single word against it, fearing separation from Us. By that alone you have conquered Us.

Verse 57 (bhagavata.10.60.57)

दूतस्त्वयात्मलभने सुविविक्तमन्त्रः प्रस्थापितो मयि चिरायति शून्यमेतत् । मत्वा जिहास इदमङ्गमनन्ययोग्यं तिष्ठेत तत्त्वयि वयं प्रतिनन्दयामः ॥ 60.57 ॥

dūtas tvayātma-labhane su-vivikta-mantraḥ prasthāpito mayi cirāyati śūnyam etat matvā jihāsa idaṁ aṅgam ananya-yogyaṁ tiṣṭheta tat tvayi vayaṁ pratinandayāmaḥ

When you sent that messenger with your most confidential plea to win Me, and I delayed, you, thinking this world had become empty, resolved to give up this body — fit for no one but Me. May that greatness of yours remain forever; We can only rejoice and thank you for it.

Verse 58 (bhagavata.10.60.58)

श्रीशुक उवाच एवं सौरतसंलापैर्भगवान् जगदीश्वरः । स्वरतो रमया रेमे नरलोकं विडम्बयन् ॥ 60.58 ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca evaṁ saurata-saṁlāpair bhagavān jagad-īśvaraḥ sva-rato ramayā reme nara-lokaṁ viḍambayan

Shukadeva Gosvami said: Thus, through such lovers' conversation, Bhagavan, the Lord of the universe, self-satisfied within Himself, sported with Rama (Rukmini), imitating the ways of the human world.

Verse 59 (bhagavata.10.60.59)

तथान्यासामपि विभुर्गृहेषु गृहवानिव । आस्थितो गृहमेधीयान् धर्मान् लोकगुरुर्हरिः ॥ 60.59 ॥

tathānyāsām api vibhur gṛhesu gṛhavān iva āsthito gṛha-medhīyān dharmān loka-gurur hariḥ

In just the same way, the almighty Hari, preceptor of all the worlds, dwelt in the homes of His other queens as well, like an ordinary householder, carrying out the duties proper to family life.