Shloka 39
Draupadī Meets Kṛṣṇa’s Queens — Narratives of the Lord’s Marriages and the Queens’ Bhakti
आत्मारामस्य तस्येमा वयं वै गृहदासिका: । सर्वसङ्गनिवृत्त्याद्धा तपसा च बभूविम ॥ ३९ ॥
ātmārāmasya tasyemā vayaṁ vai gṛha-dāsikāḥ sarva-saṅga-nivṛttyāddhā tapasā ca babhūvima
Durch den Verzicht auf jede materielle Gemeinschaft und durch strenge Bußen sind wir Königinnen zu persönlichen Dienerinnen des in Sich selbst zufriedenen Höchsten Herrn geworden.
In the opinion of Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī, Śrīmatī Lakṣmaṇā became embarrassed when she realized that she had been talking about herself, and so she spoke this verse praising her co-wives. In her humility Lakṣmaṇā claimed that Kṛṣṇa’s queens, unlike ordinary wives, could not bring their husband under control, and thus they could relate to Him only as servile housekeepers. In fact, however, since the Lord’s queens are direct expansions of His internal pleasure potency ( hlādinī-śakti ), they fully controlled Him with their love.
FAQs
This verse teaches that complete withdrawal from material association and attachment, combined with austerity, supports the devotee’s purified identity as a servant of the self-satisfied Lord.
Out of deep humility and devotion, they minimize their own status and emphasize their true spiritual position—service to Krishna, who is ātmārāma (fully self-satisfied and independent).
Reduce influences that intensify craving (excess consumption, harmful company), adopt steady disciplines (japa, study, regulated habits), and consciously reframe life’s duties as service to Krishna.