Shloka 16
Kṛṣṇa Teases Rukmiṇī; Her Devotional Reply and the Lord’s Assurance
वैदर्भ्येतदविज्ञाय त्वयादीर्घसमीक्षया । वृता वयं गुणैर्हीना भिक्षुभि: श्लाघिता मुधा ॥ १६ ॥
vaidarbhy etad avijñāya tvayādīrgha-samīkṣayā vṛtā vayaṁ guṇair hīnā bhikṣubhiḥ ślāghitā mudhā
ഓ വൈദർഭീ, ദൂരദർശനം ഇല്ലാത്തതിനാൽ നീ ഇത് തിരിച്ചറിഞ്ഞില്ല; അതുകൊണ്ട് ഗുണഹീനരായ ഞങ്ങളെ ഭർത്താവായി തിരഞ്ഞെടുത്തു—മോഹിത ഭിക്ഷുക്കൾ മാത്രം വ്യർത്ഥമായി പുകഴ്ത്തുന്നവരെ.
FAQs
In this verse, Kṛṣṇa speaks as if He has no virtues and calls Himself a “beggar,” displaying playful humility as part of His loving līlā with Rukmiṇī.
Kṛṣṇa is gently teasing and testing the depth of Rukmiṇī’s devotion, speaking self-deprecatingly to intensify intimate loving exchange rather than stating a literal deficiency.
Practice humility and avoid self-praise; even when competent, speak and act without pride—this nurtures healthier relationships and supports genuine devotion.