Shloka 33

Kṛṣṇa Teases Rukmiṇī; Her Devotional Reply and the Lord’s Assurance

Devanagari script

बभाष ऋषभं पुंसां वीक्षन्ती भगवन्मुखम् । सव्रीडहासरुचिरस्‍निग्धापाङ्गेन भारत ॥ ३३ ॥

Transliteration

babhāṣa ṛṣabhaṁ puṁsāṁ vīkṣantī bhagavan-mukham sa-vrīḍa-hāsa-rucira- snigdhāpāṅgena bhārata

Translation

O descendant of Bharata, gazing upon the Lord’s face with a bashful smile and charming, affectionate sidelong glances, Rukmiṇī spoke to the best of males as follows.

Synonyms

• बभाष: she spoke
• बभाष: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भाष् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• ऋषभम्: to the bull / best
• ऋषभम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• पुंसाम्: of men
• पुंसाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुंस्/पुम्स् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन

• वीक्षन्ती: looking
• वीक्षन्ती: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वीक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (present active participle, शतृ/शतृँ-प्रत्यय), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• भगवत्-मुखम्: the Lord's face
• भगवत्-मुखम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक) + मुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (भगवतः मुखम्)

• स-व्रीड-हास-रुचिर-स्निग्ध-अपाङ्गेन: with a sidelong glance that was shy, smiling, charming, and affectionate
• स-व्रीड-हास-रुचिर-स्निग्ध-अपाङ्गेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स (अव्यय/उपसर्गसदृश) + व्रीडा (प्रातिपदिक) + हास (प्रातिपदिक) + रुचिर (प्रातिपदिक) + स्निग्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + अपाङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुपद-समासः (सह-भावः ‘स’ + विशेषणसमूहः)

• भारत: O Bhārata
• भारत: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भारत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• Rukmiṇī
• Śrī Kṛṣṇa
• Parīkṣit Mahārāja

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Rukmini’s mood when speaking to Krishna?

This verse portrays Rukmiṇī speaking while gazing at Kṛṣṇa’s face, expressing devotion through shy smiling and affectionate sidelong glances—showing intimate, tender bhakti.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe Rukmini’s sidelong glances and shy smile?

He highlights the sweetness of Kṛṣṇa’s personal līlā and the devotee’s loving intimacy, indicating that her words arise from deep affection, not mere formality.

Practical application of this shloka in modern life?

Approach God with sincerity and warmth—devotion is not only ritual but heartfelt relationship, expressed through humble, affectionate attention and respectful intimacy.