Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 16
Kṛṣṇa Teases Rukmiṇī; Her Devotional Reply and the Lord’s Assurance
वैदर्भ्येतदविज्ञाय त्वयादीर्घसमीक्षया । वृता वयं गुणैर्हीना भिक्षुभि: श्लाघिता मुधा ॥ १६ ॥
vaidarbhy etad avijñāya tvayādīrgha-samīkṣayā vṛtā vayaṁ guṇair hīnā bhikṣubhiḥ ślāghitā mudhā
হে বৈদৰ্ভী, দূৰদৃষ্টি নথকাৰ বাবে তুমি এই কথা বুজা নাছিলা; সেয়ে গুণহীন মোক স্বামী ৰূপে বাছিলাঁ, যাক মোহগ্ৰস্ত ভিক্ষুকসকলে ব্যৰ্থতে প্ৰশংসা কৰে।
FAQs
In this verse, Kṛṣṇa speaks as if He has no virtues and calls Himself a “beggar,” displaying playful humility as part of His loving līlā with Rukmiṇī.
Kṛṣṇa is gently teasing and testing the depth of Rukmiṇī’s devotion, speaking self-deprecatingly to intensify intimate loving exchange rather than stating a literal deficiency.
Practice humility and avoid self-praise; even when competent, speak and act without pride—this nurtures healthier relationships and supports genuine devotion.