Shloka 19
Mucukunda’s Departure; Jarāsandha’s Pursuit; Prelude to Rukmiṇī’s Abduction
Rukmiṇī’s Message Begins
भगवन् श्रोतुमिच्छामि कृष्णस्यामिततेजस: । यथा मागधशाल्वादीन् जित्वा कन्यामुपाहरत् ॥ १९ ॥
bhagavan śrotum icchāmi kṛṣṇasyāmita-tejasaḥ yathā māgadha-śālvādīn jitvā kanyām upāharat
My lord, I wish to hear how the immeasurably powerful Lord Kṛṣṇa defeated kings like Māgadha and Sālva and carried away His bride.
We should not think that Śrī Kṛṣṇa was actually afraid of Jarāsandha. In the very next chapter we will find that Śrī Kṛṣṇa easily defeats Jarāsandha and his soldiers. Thus we should never doubt the supreme prowess of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
FAQs
This verse shows Parīkṣit’s desire to hear how Kṛṣṇa, of limitless prowess, overcame powerful rulers like Jarāsandha of Magadha and Śālva, and then took the princess as His bride—highlighting Kṛṣṇa’s supreme strength within His loving pastimes.
Parīkṣit is following the Bhagavatam’s mood of śravaṇam (devotional hearing), requesting the detailed narration of Kṛṣṇa’s marriage pastime—especially how Kṛṣṇa protected His devotee and subdued opposing kings.
Cultivate devotional hearing about Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes and remember that divine protection accompanies sincere devotion; obstacles and opposition can be faced with faith, steadiness, and dharmic courage.