Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 35
Kṛṣṇa’s Queens, Their Sons, and Balarāma’s Victory over Rukmī at Dice
Aniruddha–Rocanā Marriage Context
नैवाक्षकोविदा यूयं गोपाला वनगोचरा: । अक्षैर्दीव्यन्ति राजानो बाणैश्च न भवादृशा: ॥ ३५ ॥
naivākṣa-kovidā yūyaṁ gopālā vana-gocarāḥ akṣair dīvyanti rājāno bāṇaiś ca na bhavādṛśāḥ
[Rukmī said:] “You cowherds who roam the forests know nothing of dice. Playing with dice and sporting with arrows are for kings alone, not for the likes of You.”
FAQs
This verse shows Rukmī’s pride as he mocks the cowherds; the narrative uses such speech to reveal how arrogance leads to downfall when one disrespects those connected to Kṛṣṇa.
After being challenged in a dice match, Rukmī tried to belittle them as mere forest-dwelling cowherds, claiming gambling and warfare are for kings—an insult meant to assert superiority.
Avoid status-based mockery and spiritual prejudice; prideful speech may win an argument briefly but damages relationships and invites consequences—choose humility and respect.