Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 29
Kṛṣṇa’s Queens, Their Sons, and Balarāma’s Victory over Rukmī at Dice
Aniruddha–Rocanā Marriage Context
शतं सहस्रमयुतं रामस्तत्राददे पणम् । तं तु रुक्म्यजयत्तत्र कालिङ्ग: प्राहसद् बलम् । दन्तान् सन्दर्शयन्नुच्चैर्नामृष्यत्तद्धलायुध: ॥ २९ ॥
śataṁ sahasram ayutaṁ rāmas tatrādade paṇam taṁ tu rukmy ajayat tatra kāliṅgaḥ prāhasad balam dantān sandarśayann uccair nāmṛṣyat tad dhalāyudhaḥ
Sa laban na iyon, tinanggap ni Balarāma ang pusta na isang daan, saka isang libo, saka sampung libong barya. Sa unang ikot, nanalo si Rukmī. Tumawa nang malakas ang Hari ng Kaliṅga, ipinapakita ang mga ngipin, at nilibak si Balarāma. Hindi ito matiis ni Balarāma na may sandatang araro.
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that the wagers consisted of gold coins. Lord Balarāma inwardly became quite angry when He saw the gross offense of the King of Kaliṅga.
FAQs
This verse describes Balarāma placing progressively higher wagers and being shown as losing to Rukmī, after which the king of Kaliṅga mocks Balarāma—setting the stage for Balarāma’s intolerance of insult and the ensuing consequences.
He laughed to mock and dishonor Balarāma in public, brazenly baring his teeth; the verse highlights that such ridicule was offensive enough that Halāyudha could not tolerate it.
Public ridicule and prideful mockery escalate conflict; the verse warns against humiliating others and shows how contempt can provoke serious reactions—encouraging restraint, respect, and humility.