Shloka 11

Kṛṣṇa Arrives at Kuṇḍina and Abducts Rukmiṇī

Rukmiṇī-haraṇa Prelude

Devanagari script

सुस्‍नातां सुदतीं कन्यां कृतकौतुकमङ्गलाम् । आहतांशुकयुग्मेन भूषितां भूषणोत्तमै: ॥ ११ ॥

Transliteration

su-snātāṁ su-datīṁ kanyāṁ kṛta-kautuka-maṅgalām āhatāṁśuka-yugmena bhūṣitāṁ bhūṣaṇottamaiḥ

Translation

The bride cleaned her teeth and bathed, then put on the auspicious wedding necklace. After that she was dressed in brand-new upper and lower garments and adorned with the finest jeweled ornaments.

Synonyms

• su-snātām: well-bathed
• su-snātām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su (अव्यय) + snāta (कृदन्त, क्त from snā धातु)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; ‘well-bathed’; qualifies kanyām

• su-datīm: beautiful (good-toothed)
• su-datīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su (अव्यय) + datī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; ‘having good teeth/beautiful’; qualifies kanyām

• kanyām: the maiden
• kanyām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kanyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• kṛta-kautuka-maṅgalām: for whom auspicious festive rites were done
• kṛta-kautuka-maṅgalām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta (कृदन्त, क्त from kṛ धातु) + kautuka (प्रातिपदिक) + maṅgala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; ‘for whom festive auspicious rites have been performed’; qualifies kanyām

• āhata-aṁśuka-yugmena: with a pair of washed garments
• āhata-aṁśuka-yugmena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: āhata (कृदन्त, क्त from han धातु; ‘beaten/washed’) + aṁśuka (प्रातिपदिक) + yugma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana; instrument: ‘with a pair of washed garments’

• bhūṣitām: adorned
• bhūṣitām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhūṣ (धातु) → bhūṣita (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; qualifies kanyām

• bhūṣaṇa-uttamaiḥ: with excellent ornaments
• bhūṣaṇa-uttamaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + uttama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana; instrument: ‘with the best ornaments’

Purport

According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī, only spotless clothing fresh off the loom should be worn during auspicious ceremonies.

Characters & Entities

• Rukmiṇī

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Rukmini’s marriage preparations?

This verse describes Rukmiṇī as having bathed, performed auspicious bridal rites, and dressed in fresh garments and the finest ornaments—showing her readiness and solemn intention to unite with Kṛṣṇa.

Why is Rukmini described as performing auspicious rites before meeting Krishna?

In the narrative, Rukmiṇī is preparing according to sacred custom, while her heart is fixed on Kṛṣṇa; the verse highlights both social propriety and her devotional determination.

Practical application of this shloka in modern life?

It teaches sanctifying major life events with purity, prayer, and auspicious intention—externally through good conduct and internally through devotion and focused remembrance of the Lord.