Shloka 33

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

Rukmiṇī’s Message Begins

Devanagari script

विप्रान् स्वलाभसन्तुष्टान् साधून् भूतसुहृत्तमान् । निरहङ्कारिण: शान्तान् नमस्ये शिरसासकृत् ॥ ३३ ॥

Transliteration

viprān sva-lābha-santuṣṭān sādhūn bhūta-suhṛttamān nirahaṅkāriṇaḥ śāntān namasye śirasāsakṛt

Translation

Again and again I bow my head to those brāhmaṇas who are content with what comes to them—saintly, free of pride and peaceful, the greatest well-wishers of all living beings.

Synonyms

• विप्रान्: brahmins
• विप्रान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), बहुवचन

• स्व: one's own
• स्व: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय-प्राय/सर्वनाम-विशेषण; समासपूर्वपद (indeclinable-like in compounds)

• लाभ: gain
• लाभ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लाभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, समासपूर्वपद

• सन्तुष्टान्: content/satisfied
• सन्तुष्टान्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सन्तुष्ट (कृदन्त; √तुष् (धातु) + सम्, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle)

• साधून्: saints/virtuous persons
• साधून्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: साधु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• भूत: living beings
• भूत: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, समासपूर्वपद; ‘भूत’ = beings

• सुहृत्: well-wisher
• सुहृत्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुहृत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, समासपूर्वपद; ‘सुहृत्’ = well-wisher/friend

• तमान्: best/most excellent
• तमान्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तम (प्रातिपदिक; तमप्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; अतिशयार्थक (superlative)

• निरहङ्कारिणः: free from ego
• निरहङ्कारिणः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निरहङ्कारिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष/नञ्-समास: निर् + अहङ्कारिन् = without ego

• शान्तान्: peaceful
• शान्तान्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शान्त (कृदन्त; √शम् (धातु), क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त

• नमस्ये: I bow (to)
• नमस्ये: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √नम् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• शिरसा: with (my) head
• शिरसा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• असकृत्: again and again
• असकृत्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: असकृत् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

Purport

Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī explains that sva-lābha also means “achieving one’s self,” or, in other words, self-realization. Thus an advanced brāhmaṇa is always satisfied with his spiritual understanding, never depending on material formalities or facilities.

Characters & Entities

• Rukmiṇī
• Brāhmaṇas
• Sādhus

FAQs

What are the qualities of a true sadhu according to Srimad Bhagavatam 10.52.33?

This verse highlights sadhus as content with simple, rightful gain, compassionate well-wishers of all beings, free from ego, and naturally peaceful—worthy of repeated obeisance.

Why does Rukmini offer obeisances to brāhmaṇas and saints in her message to Krishna?

Because the brāhmaṇas and saintly devotees embody humility, peace, and universal goodwill, and the messenger carrying her words is himself a brāhmaṇa—so she honors the sacred devotee culture that connects her to Kṛṣṇa.

How can I apply 'svalābha-santuṣṭa' (content with what comes) in modern life?

Practice gratitude and restraint: do your duty honestly, accept reasonable outcomes without greed, reduce unnecessary wants, and use time and resources for devotion and service rather than ego-driven competition.