Shloka 24
Kṛṣṇa Arrives at Kuṇḍina and Abducts Rukmiṇī
Rukmiṇī-haraṇa Prelude
अपि मय्यनवद्यात्मा दृष्ट्वा किञ्चिज्जुगुप्सितम् । मत्पाणिग्रहणे नूनं नायाति हि कृतोद्यम: ॥ २४ ॥
api mayy anavadyātmā dṛṣṭvā kiñcij jugupsitam mat-pāṇi-grahaṇe nūnaṁ nāyāti hi kṛtodyamaḥ
Perhaps the faultless Lord Śrī Hari, even while preparing to come here, saw something contemptible in me; therefore He has not come to take my hand in marriage.
Princess Rukmiṇī boldly invited Śrī Kṛṣṇa to kidnap her. When Rukmiṇī did not see Him come, she naturally feared that He had rejected her proposal, perhaps finding some unacceptable quality in her. As expressed here, the Lord Himself is anavadya, faultless, and if He saw some fault in Rukmiṇī she would be an unworthy bride for Him. It was natural for the young princess to feel such anxiety. Furthermore, if Śrī Kṛṣṇa had actually made this decision, it would be natural for the brāhmaṇa to fear Rukmiṇī’s reaction were he to bring her the news, and that would explain why he had not come.
FAQs
This verse shows Rukmiṇī’s deep humility—she fears that Kṛṣṇa may have seen some fault in her and thus might not come, reflecting a devotee’s self-effacing mood before the Lord’s purity.
In the intensity of longing and anxiety, Rukmiṇī worries that despite Kṛṣṇa’s intention to marry her, He could withdraw if He perceived any unworthiness in her—highlighting her chastity of purpose and dependence on Him.
Approach spiritual goals with sincerity and humility—do your part with determination, yet remain dependent on grace rather than entitlement.