Shloka 19
Kṛṣṇa Teases Rukmiṇī; Her Devotional Reply and the Lord’s Assurance
तेषां वीर्यमदान्धानां दृप्तानां स्मयनुत्तये । आनितासि मया भद्रे तेजोपहरतासताम् ॥ १९ ॥
teṣāṁ vīrya-madāndhānāṁ dṛptānāṁ smaya-nuttaye ānitāsi mayā bhadre tejopaharatāsatām
Ô noble dame, je t’ai emmenée pour dissiper l’orgueil de ces rois, aveuglés par l’ivresse de leur puissance ; mon dessein était de brider la force des méchants.
FAQs
This verse says that being intoxicated by valor (vīrya-mada) leads to arrogance, and Kṛṣṇa acts to remove such conceit and the false prestige of those who disrespect the saintly.
In the intimate dialogue with Rukmiṇī, Kṛṣṇa explains that her being brought to Him also served a divine purpose: to humble the arrogant kings (including her proud relatives and allies) who had insulted or opposed the righteous.
Use your abilities without ego, avoid looking down on virtuous people, and remember that real greatness is shown through humility and respect—otherwise pride will eventually be corrected by time, karma, or divine arrangement.