Lesson From Rukmi's Cheating Propensity

2015-05-16
Srimad Bhagavatam 10.61.33-40 - Lesson From Rukmi's Cheating Propensity (download mp3)
by Radhika Vallabha Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty
www.iskcondesiretree.com

SB 10.61.33

tadabravin nabho-vani

 balenaiva jito glahah

dharmato vacanenaiva

 rukmi vadati vai mrsa

Translation:

Just then a voice from the sky declared, “Balarama has fairly won this wager. Rukmi is surely lying.”

SB 10.61.34

tam anadrtya vaidarbho

 dusta-rajanya-coditah

sankarsanam parihasan

 babhase kala-coditah

Translation:

Urged on by the wicked kings, Rukmi ignored the divine voice. In fact destiny itself was urging Rukmi on, and thus he ridiculed Lord Balarama as follows.

SB 10.61.35

naivaksa-kovida yuyam

 gopala vana-gocarah

aksair divyanti rajano

 banais ca na bhavadrsah

Translation:

[Rukmi said:] You cowherds who wander about the forests know nothing about dice. Playing with dice and sporting with arrows are only for kings, not for the likes of You.

SB 10.61.36

rukminaivam adhiksipto

 rajabhis copahasitah

kruddhah parigham udyamya

 jaghne tam nrmna-samsadi

Translation:

Thus insulted by Rukmi and ridiculed by the kings, Lord Balarama was provoked to anger. In the midst of the auspicious wedding assembly, He raised His club and struck Rukmi dead.

SB 10.61.37

kalinga-rajam tarasa

 grhitva dasame pade

dantan apatayat kruddho

 yo ’hasad vivrtair dvijaih

Translation:

The King of Kalinga, who had laughed at Lord Balarama and shown his teeth, tried to run away, but the furious Lord quickly seized him on his tenth step and knocked out all his teeth.

SB 10.61.38

anye nirbhinna-bahuru-

 siraso rudhiroksitah

rajano dudravar bhita

 balena pangharditah

Translation:

Tormented by Lord Balarama’s club, the other kings fled in fear, their arms, thighs and heads broken and their bodies drenched in blood.

SB 10.61.39

nihate rukmini syale

 nabravit sadhv asadhu va

rakmini-balayo rajan

 sneha-bhanga-bhayad dharih

Translation:

When His brother-in-law Rukmi was slain, Lord Krsna neither applauded nor protested, O King, for He feared jeopardizing His affectionate ties with either Rukmini or Balarama.

SB 10.61.40

tato ’niruddham saha suryaya varam

 ratham samaropya yayuh kusasthalim

ramadayo bhojakatad dasarhah

 siddhakhilartha madhusudanasrayah

Translation:

Then the descendants of Dasarha, headed by Lord Balarama, seated Aniruddha and His bride on a fine chariot and set off from Bhojakata for Dvaraka. Having taken shelter of Lord Madhusudana, they had fulfilled all their purposes.

Purport:

Even though Rukmini was very dear to all the Dasarhas, her brother Rukmi had constantly opposed and insulted Krsna since Rukmini’s wedding. Thus, Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti explains, the associates of Lord Krsna could hardly lament Rukmi’s sudden demise.

Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada to the Tenth Canto, Sixty-first Chapter, of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, entitled “Lord Balarama Slays Rukmi.”