Shloka 16

Kṛṣṇa Teases Rukmiṇī; Her Devotional Reply and the Lord’s Assurance

Devanagari script

वैदर्भ्येतदविज्ञाय त्वयादीर्घसमीक्षया । वृता वयं गुणैर्हीना भिक्षुभि: श्लाघिता मुधा ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

vaidarbhy etad avijñāya tvayādīrgha-samīkṣayā vṛtā vayaṁ guṇair hīnā bhikṣubhiḥ ślāghitā mudhā

Translation

ఓ వైదర్భీ, దూరదృష్టి లేక నీవు ఇది గ్రహించలేదు; అందువల్ల గుణహీనమైన మమ్మల్ని భర్తగా ఎన్నుకున్నావు, మోహిత భిక్షుకులు మాత్రమే వ్యర్థంగా స్తుతించే వారిని.

Synonyms

• वैदर्भि: O princess of Vidarbha
• वैदर्भि: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैदर्भी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-एकवचन (Vocative)

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अविज्ञाय: not knowing
• अविज्ञाय: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अ + विज्ञा (धातु) → अविज्ञाय (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (Gerund/absolutive): ‘not knowing’

• त्वया: by you
• त्वया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: मध्यमपुरुष-सर्वनाम, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• दीर्घसमीक्षया: by prolonged consideration
• दीर्घसमीक्षया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीर्घ + समीक्षा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘by long consideration/observation’

• वृताः: (we were) chosen
• वृताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वृ (धातु) → वृत (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (Past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘chosen/selected’

• वयम्: we
• वयम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उत्तमपुरुष-सर्वनाम, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• गुणैः: by virtues/qualities
• गुणैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• हीनाः: devoid
• हीनाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘devoid (of)’ (with तृतीया)

• भिक्षुभिः: by beggars/ascetics
• भिक्षुभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भिक्षु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• श्लाघिताः: praised
• श्लाघिताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्लाघ् (धातु) → श्लाघित (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (Past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘praised’

• मुधा: vainly
• मुधा: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: मुधा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

Characters & Entities

• Rukmiṇī
• Kṛṣṇa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna’s humility in his pastimes?

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.

Why did Krishna say he was “devoid of qualities” to Rukmini?

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.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life?

Practice humility and avoid self-praise; even when competent, speak and act without pride—this nurtures healthier relationships and supports genuine devotion.