Shloka 28
Kṛṣṇa’s Queens, Their Sons, and Balarāma’s Victory over Rukmī at Dice
Aniruddha–Rocanā Marriage Context
तस्मिन् निवृत्त उद्वाहे कालिङ्गप्रमुखा नृपा: । दृप्तास्ते रुक्मिणं प्रोचुर्बलमक्षैर्विनिर्जय ॥ २७ ॥ अनक्षज्ञो ह्ययं राजन्नपि तद्व्यसनं महत् । इत्युक्तो बलमाहूय तेनाक्षैर्रुक्म्यदीव्यत ॥ २८ ॥
tasmin nivṛtta udvāhe kāliṅga-pramukhā nṛpāḥ dṛptās te rukmiṇaṁ procur balam akṣair vinirjaya
Après les noces, des rois orgueilleux, menés par le roi de Kaliṅga, dirent à Rukmī : « Ô roi, vaincs Balarāma aux dés ; il n’est pas expert, et pourtant il en a une forte inclination. » Ainsi conseillé, Rukmī défia Balarāma et engagea avec Lui une partie de jeu.
FAQs
This verse shows gambling (akṣa-krīḍā) as a powerful vice: even when someone is unskilled, prideful people can exploit the weakness, leading to conflict and humiliation.
Out of arrogance, the kings—led by Kaliṅga—wanted to see Balarāma defeated, and they believed His lack of skill combined with a strong taste for gambling made Him vulnerable.
Avoid situations where personal weaknesses can be manipulated—especially addictive habits—because proud or hostile company may use them to provoke harm and dishonor.