Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 40
Draupadī Meets Kṛṣṇa’s Queens — Narratives of the Lord’s Marriages and the Queens’ Bhakti
महिष्य ऊचु: भौमं निहत्य सगणं युधि तेन रुद्धा ज्ञात्वाथ न: क्षितिजये जितराजकन्या: । निर्मुच्य संसृतिविमोक्षमनुस्मरन्ती: पादाम्बुजं परिणिनाय य आप्तकाम: ॥ ४० ॥
mahiṣya ūcuḥ bhaumaṁ nihatya sa-gaṇaṁ yudhi tena ruddhā jñātvātha naḥ kṣiti-jaye jita-rāja-kanyāḥ nirmucya saṁsṛti-vimokṣam anusmarantīḥ pādāmbujaṁ pariṇināya ya āpta-kāmaḥ
The queens said: After killing Bhaumāsura and his followers in battle, the Lord found us confined in the demon’s prison and understood that we were the daughters of kings whom Bhauma had defeated in his conquest of the earth. The Lord set us free, and because we were constantly meditating on His lotus feet—the source of liberation from material bondage—He, though already fulfilled in every desire, agreed to marry us.
Rohiṇī-devī was one of the nine queens questioned by Draupadī in texts 6 and 7, and thus it is assumed that she speaks here, representing the 16,099 other queens. Śrīla Prabhupāda confirms this in Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
FAQs
This verse states that Krishna’s lotus feet are “saṁsṛti-vimokṣa”—the means of liberation from material existence—and the queens were freed while remembering that liberating shelter.
They emphasize that Krishna did not marry out of personal need; though fully fulfilled, He accepted them to protect and honor them after rescuing them from captivity.
In distress or bondage-like situations, cultivate remembrance of Krishna (especially His lotus feet) as spiritual refuge, and act with compassion like Krishna—helping others even when you gain nothing materially.