Shloka 31
Chapter 54
तस्य चापततः खड्गं तिलशश् चर्म चेषुभिः । छित्त्वासिम् आददे तिग्मं रुक्मिणं हन्तुम् उद्यतः ॥
tasya cāpatataḥ khaḍgaṃ tilaśaś carma ceṣubhiḥ / chittvāsim ādade tigmaṃ rukmiṇaṃ hantum udyataḥ //
As Rukmī rushed forward, Kṛṣṇa shattered his sword into pieces and pierced his shield with arrows. Then Kṛṣṇa seized His own razor-sharp sword, ready to strike Rukmī down.
This verse highlights the decisive superiority of Śrī Kṛṣṇa in battle and the futility of prideful aggression against the Lord. Rukmī, driven by arrogance and hostility toward Kṛṣṇa, charges forward with weapons—yet Kṛṣṇa effortlessly breaks his offense: the sword is cut to fragments and the shield is neutralized by arrows. The narrative also builds tension: Kṛṣṇa now raises His own sword, poised to kill. In the Bhagavatam’s theology, such moments reveal both aspects of the Lord—His invincible power (aiśvarya) and, as the story soon unfolds, His compassionate restraint when devotees (like Rukmiṇī) appeal to His mercy. The verse thus prepares the reader to see that divine strength is never blind violence; it is guided by dharma, affection for devotees, and the Lord’s higher purpose in His līlā.
FAQs
This verse shows Kṛṣṇa effortlessly neutralizing Rukmī’s weapons—shattering the sword and piercing the shield—demonstrating the Lord’s invincible supremacy within His līlā.
Rukmī attacked Kṛṣṇa out of hostility and pride after the marriage of Rukmiṇī; seeing his aggression, Kṛṣṇa raised His sword to punish him according to kṣatriya justice.
Prideful opposition collapses quickly; the Bhagavatam urges humility and restraint—strength should be guided by dharma and compassion, not ego.