Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 4
Kṛṣṇa Teases Rukmiṇī; Her Devotional Reply and the Lord’s Assurance
तस्मिनन्तर्गृहे भ्राजन्मुक्तादामविलम्बिना । विराजिते वितानेन दीपैर्मणिमयैरपि ॥ ३ ॥ मल्लिकादामभि: पुष्पैर्द्विरेफकुलनादिते । जालरन्ध्रप्रविष्टैश्च गोभिश्चन्द्रमसोऽमलै: ॥ ४ ॥ पारिजातवनामोदवायुनोद्यानशालिना । धूपैरगुरुजै राजन् जालरन्ध्रविनिर्गतै: ॥ ५ ॥ पय:फेननिभे शुभ्रे पर्यङ्के कशिपूत्तमे । उपतस्थे सुखासीनं जगतामीश्वरं पतिम् ॥ ६ ॥
tasmin antar-gṛhe bhrājan- muktā-dāma-vilambinā virājite vitānena dīpair maṇi-mayair api
Queen Rukmiṇī’s inner chamber was exquisitely radiant, with a canopy hung with shining strings of pearls and jewels glowing like lamps. Garlands of jasmine and other flowers drew swarms of humming bees, while the spotless moonlight streamed through the lattice openings. O King, aguru incense drifted out through those apertures, and a breeze carrying the fragrance of the pārijāta grove made the room feel like a garden. There the Queen attended her husband, the Lord of all worlds, as He rested at ease upon a splendid pillow on a bed white and soft as milk-foam.
According to Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī, Rukmiṇī’s palace was quite famous then, as now, and these descriptions give a glimpse into its opulence. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī adds that the word amalaiḥ in this verse may also be read aruṇaiḥ, which would indicate that when this pastime took place the moon had just risen, bathing the entire palace in beautiful ruddy moonshine.
FAQs
This verse portrays Kṛṣṇa’s inner chamber as naturally auspicious—fragrant jasmine garlands, bees humming, and pure moonbeams entering through latticed windows—signifying divine beauty and serenity.
He sets the devotional mood and visualizes the sacred setting where the Lord and His consort are present, emphasizing the refined, transcendental opulence surrounding Kṛṣṇa’s intimate pastimes.
Create a calm, clean, and devotional environment—through simplicity, fragrance, light, and remembrance of the Lord—to support prayer, japa, and contemplative bhakti.