Shloka 23

Mucukunda’s Departure; Jarāsandha’s Pursuit; Prelude to Rukmiṇī’s Abduction

Rukmiṇī’s Message Begins

Devanagari script

सोपश्रुत्य मुकुन्दस्य रूपवीर्यगुणश्रिय: । गृहागतैर्गीयमानास्तं मेने सद‍ृशं पतिम् ॥ २३ ॥

Transliteration

sopaśrutya mukundasya rūpa-vīrya-guṇa-śriyaḥ gṛhāgatair gīyamānās taṁ mene sadṛśaṁ patim

Translation

Hearing the palace visitors sing of Mukunda’s beauty, valor, virtues and opulence, Rukmiṇī deemed Him the husband perfectly suited for her.

Synonyms

• सा: she
• सा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन; सर्वनाम (pronoun)

• उपश्रुत्य: having heard
• उपश्रुत्य: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: उप-श्रु (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive), ‘having heard’

• मुकुन्दस्य: of Mukunda (Krishna)
• मुकुन्दस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुकुन्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन

• रूप-वीर्य-गुण-श्रियः: of (his) beauty, valor, virtues, and splendor
• रूप-वीर्य-गुण-श्रियः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रूप (प्रातिपदिक) + वीर्य (प्रातिपदिक) + गुण (प्रातिपदिक) + श्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्व (collective dvandva) ‘of beauty, valor, qualities, and splendor’

• गृह-आगतैः: by those who came to the house
• गृह-आगतैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गृह (प्रातिपदिक) + आगत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, आ-गम् धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन; ‘by those who came to the house’

• गीयमानाः: being sung (praised)
• गीयमानाः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गी (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान-काले कर्मणि-प्रयोगे शतृ/शानच्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (Present passive participle); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘being sung/praised’ (agreeing with गृहागतैः understood as persons)

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• मेने: she considered/thought
• मेने: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मन् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• सदृशम्: suitable, matching
• सदृशम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सदृश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying पतिम्)

• पतिम्: husband
• पतिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Purport

The word sadṛśam indicates that Rukmiṇī and Śrī Kṛṣṇa had similar qualities and thus were naturally attracted to each other. King Bhīṣmaka was a pious man, and therefore many spiritually advanced persons must have visited his palace. Undoubtedly these saintly persons preached openly about the glories of Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

Characters & Entities

• Mukunda
• Kṛṣṇa
• Rukmiṇī

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam say about choosing Krishna as the ideal husband?

This verse shows Rukmiṇī choosing Kṛṣṇa by hearing of His beauty, valor, virtues, and divine fortune—recognizing Him as the most fitting husband.

Why did Rukmiṇī decide on Krishna simply by hearing about Him?

Because Kṛṣṇa’s qualities were repeatedly praised by visitors, and through that hearing (śravaṇam) her faith and attraction matured into firm acceptance of Him as her destined lord.

How can I apply the teaching of this shloka in modern life?

Cultivate devotion by regularly hearing authentic narrations of Kṛṣṇa’s qualities—through scripture, kīrtana, and sādhus—so the heart naturally chooses higher ideals over temporary attractions.