Kṛṣṇa Teases Rukmiṇī; Her Devotional Reply and the Lord’s Assurance
अथात्मनोऽनुरूपं वै भजस्व क्षत्रियर्षभम् । येन त्वमाशिष: सत्या इहामुत्र च लप्स्यसे ॥ १७ ॥
athātmano ’nurūpaṁ vai bhajasva kṣatriyarṣabham yena tvam āśiṣaḥ satyā ihāmutra ca lapsyase
Sekarang terimalah suami yang lebih sesuai bagimu, seorang ksatria unggul; dengannya, berkat dan hasratmu akan menjadi nyata, di dunia ini dan juga di alam selepasnya.
Lord Kṛṣṇa continues to tease His beautiful wife, trying to provoke her loving anger.
This verse advises accepting a partner who is truly befitting one’s position and dharma, so that one’s rightful aspirations are fulfilled both materially (iha) and spiritually (amutra).
In their intimate exchange, Kṛṣṇa speaks in a way that tests and deepens Rukmiṇī’s loving devotion, while also presenting a dharmic principle about suitability and fulfillment.
Make life choices aligned with dharma and devotion—so they bring stability and goodness now, and also support spiritual progress beyond this life.