Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 23
Kṛṣṇa Teases Rukmiṇī; Her Devotional Reply and the Lord’s Assurance
पदा सुजातेन नखारुणश्रिया भुवं लिखन्त्यश्रुभिरञ्जनासितै: । आसिञ्चती कुङ्कुमरूषितौ स्तनौ तस्थावधोमुख्यतिदु:खरुद्धवाक् ॥ २३ ॥
padā su-jātena nakhāruṇa-śrīyā bhuvaṁ likhanty aśrubhir añjanāsitaiḥ āsiñcatī kuṅkuma-rūṣitau stanau tasthāv adho-mukhy ati-duḥkha-ruddha-vāk
Dengan kaki lembutnya yang berkilau kemerahan oleh sinar kuku, ia menggores tanah. Air mata yang menghitam oleh celak memercik ke payudaranya yang memerah oleh kuṅkuma. Ia berdiri menunduk, suaranya tersumbat oleh duka yang amat dalam.
FAQs
It depicts Rukmiṇī’s intense grief and love in separation—she lowers her face, scratches the ground with her foot, and her collyrium-dark tears wet her kuṅkuma-stained breasts, showing her heart overwhelmed by Kṛṣṇa’s words.
In this episode Kṛṣṇa speaks in a way that tests and deepens her devotion; hearing His seemingly harsh or distancing words, Rukmiṇī becomes stricken with sorrow and cannot reply.
It teaches that genuine bhakti is heartfelt and humble; when faith is tested, a devotee turns inward, remains devoted, and allows the experience to purify attachment and deepen remembrance of God.