Shloka 33
Chapter 54
श्री-रुक्मिण्य् उवाच योगेश्वराप्रमेयात्मन् देव-देव जगत्-पते ।
हन्तुं नार्हसि कल्याण भ्रातरं मे महा-भुज ॥
śrī-rukmiṇy uvāca yogeśvarāprameyātman deva-deva jagat-pate / hantuṃ nārhasi kalyāṇa bhrātaraṃ me mahā-bhuja //
Śrī Rukmiṇī said: O Lord of all mystic power, O immeasurable Self, O God of gods, Master of the universe—O auspicious mighty-armed One, please do not kill my brother.
In the aftermath of Kṛṣṇa’s victory, Rukmiṇī intervenes with a devotee’s intimate appeal. She addresses Him with exalted theological titles—Yogeśvara (master of all yogic powers), Aprameyātmā (the immeasurable Supreme Self), Deva-deva (God of gods), and Jagat-pati (Lord of the world)—affirming that His actions are never compelled by anger, limitation, or revenge. Yet her request is profoundly human and dharmic: she seeks mercy for her brother (Rukmī), even though he has acted with hostility. This verse highlights a recurring Bhāgavata theme: true devotion does not negate relationships, but purifies them through compassion and surrender. Rukmiṇī’s plea also illustrates the Vaiṣṇava ideal that even when justice is deserved, mercy can be sought—especially when the Supreme Lord, who is beyond all necessity, can choose a higher resolution than mere retaliation. Her words frame non-violence and forgiveness not as weakness, but as a divine, auspicious quality when guided by dharma and devotion.
FAQs
Because even though Rukmī opposed Kṛṣṇa, Rukmiṇī seeks mercy and protection for her family bond, showing compassion and a higher dharmic resolution beyond revenge.
It shows that devotees may request mercy even for offenders, trusting that the Supreme Lord can uphold justice without unnecessary violence.
When conflicts arise, one can stand for truth while still seeking the least harmful outcome—combining principles with compassion.