Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 34

Kṛṣṇa’s Queens, Their Sons, and Balarāma’s Victory over Rukmī at Dice

Aniruddha–Rocanā Marriage Context

Devanagari script

तामनाद‍ृत्य वैदर्भो दुष्टराजन्यचोदित: । सङ्कर्षणं परिहसन् बभाषे कालचोदित: ॥ ३४ ॥

Transliteration

tām anādṛtya vaidarbho duṣṭa-rājanya-coditaḥ saṅkarṣaṇaṁ parihasan babhāṣe kāla-coditaḥ

Translation

Urged on by wicked kings, Rukmī of Vidarbha disregarded the divine voice; as if driven by destiny itself, he mocked Śrī Saṅkarṣaṇa (Lord Balarāma) and spoke as follows.

Synonyms

• tām: that (speech/statement)
• tām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), द्वितीया (accusative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम (pronoun)

• anādṛtya: having disregarded
• anādṛtya: Pūrvakāla (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ā-√dṛ (धातु) + ktvā (क्त्वा)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (absolutive/gerund): ‘अनादृत्य’ = not respecting/ignoring

• vaidarbhaḥ: the Vidarbha prince (Rukmī)
• vaidarbhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaidarbha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा, एकवचन

• duṣṭa-rājanya-coditaḥ: urged on by wicked kings
• duṣṭa-rājanya-coditaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: duṣṭa (प्रातिपदिक) + rājanya (प्रातिपदिक) + codita (√cud धातु + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः: ‘दुष्टैः राजन्यैः चोदितः’ (inst.-tatpurusha sense)

• saṅkarṣaṇam: Saṅkarṣaṇa (Balarāma)
• saṅkarṣaṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṅkarṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), द्वितीया, एकवचन

• parihasan: mocking/laughing at
• parihasan: Prakāra (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pari-√has (धातु) + śatṛ (शतृ)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (present participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणवत् (adverbial participle)

• babhāṣe: spoke
• babhāṣe: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhāṣ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• kāla-coditaḥ: impelled by time/fate
• kāla-coditaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kāla (प्रातिपदिक) + codita (√cud धातु + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: ‘कालेन चोदितः’ (inst.-tatpurusha sense)

Characters & Entities

• Rukmī
• Rukmiṇī
• Saṅkarṣaṇa (Balarāma)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the power of Kāla (time) in Krishna-lila?

This verse states that Rukmī spoke “kāla-coditaḥ”—impelled by time—showing how destiny/time propels conditioned souls toward actions that bring their karmic results, even within the Lord’s pastimes.

Why did Rukmī mock Saṅkarṣaṇa (Balarāma) in Bhagavatam 10.61?

Rukmī, the Vidarbha prince, disregarded Rukmiṇī and—instigated by hostile kings—ridiculed Balarāma out of pride and political enmity, setting the stage for his humiliation.

Practical application: what does this shloka teach about pride and bad association today?

It warns that ignoring wise counsel and being pushed by “duṣṭa” influences can make one act arrogantly; cultivating humility and avoiding toxic encouragement helps prevent self-destructive speech and conflict.