Shloka 44
Kṛṣṇa Teases Rukmiṇī; Her Devotional Reply and the Lord’s Assurance
तस्या: स्युरच्युत नृपा भवतोपदिष्टा: स्त्रीणां गृहेषु खरगोश्वविडालभृत्या: । यत्कर्णमूलमरिकर्षण नोपयायाद् युष्मत्कथा मृडविरिञ्चसभासु गीता ॥ ४४ ॥
tasyāḥ syur acyuta nṛpā bhavatopadiṣṭāḥ strīṇāṁ gṛheṣu khara-go-śva-viḍāla-bhṛtyāḥ yat-karṇa-mūlam ari-karṣaṇa nopayāyād yuṣmat-kathā mṛḍa-viriñca-sabhāsu gītā
Wahai Krsna yang tidak dapat gagal, biarlah setiap raja yang Engkau namakan menjadi suami kepada seorang wanita yang telinganya tidak pernah mendengar kemuliaan-Mu, yang dinyanyikan dalam perhimpunan Siva dan Brahma. Lagipun, dalam rumah tangga wanita sedemikian, raja-raja ini hidup seperti keldai, lembu, anjing, kucing dan hamba.
According to Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī, these fiery words of Queen Rukmiṇī’s are a response to Lord Kṛṣṇa’s opening statement, found in text 10 of the chapter. The Supreme Lord had said, “My dear princess, You were sought after by many kings as powerful as the rulers of planets. They were all abundantly endowed with political influence, wealth, beauty, generosity and physical strength.” According to Śrīdhara Svāmī, Queen Rukmiṇī here speaks with anger, pointing her index finger at the Lord. She compares the so-called great princes to asses because they carry many material burdens, to oxen because they are always distressed while performing their occupational duties, to dogs because their wives disrespect them, to cats because they are selfish and cruel, and to slaves because they are servile in family affairs. Such kings may appear desirable to a foolish woman who has not heard or understood the glories of Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
FAQs
This verse teaches that without deep hearing of Kṛṣṇa’s narrations—so potent they are sung even in Brahmā and Śiva’s assemblies—people, even kings, become reduced to dependent, animal-like servitude within worldly life.
Rukmiṇī contrasts true nobility—guided by Kṛṣṇa’s instruction and nourished by Kṛṣṇa-kathā—with the degradation that comes when one forgets the Lord and becomes controlled by mere domestic attachment and sense-centered life.
Prioritize regular śravaṇam—daily listening/reading of Bhagavatam and Kṛṣṇa’s līlā—so spiritual identity stays primary and household duties don’t turn into binding dependence.