Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 16
Draupadī Meets Kṛṣṇa’s Queens — Narratives of the Lord’s Marriages and the Queens’ Bhakti
श्रीभद्रोवाच पिता मे मातुलेयाय स्वयमाहूय दत्तवान् । कृष्णे कृष्णाय तच्चित्तामक्षौहिण्या सखीजनै: ॥ १५ ॥ अस्य मे पादसंस्पर्शो भवेज्जन्मनि जन्मनि । कर्मभिर्भ्राम्यमाणाया येन तच्छ्रेय आत्मन: ॥ १६ ॥
śrī-bhadrovāca pitā me mātuleyāya svayam āhūya dattavān kṛṣṇe kṛṣṇāya tac-cittām akṣauhiṇyā sakhī-janaiḥ
Sinabi ni Śrī Bhadrā: Mahal na Draupadī, kusang-loob na ipinatawag ng aking ama ang kanyang pamangking si Śrī Kṛṣṇa—na sa Kanya ko na inialay ang aking puso—at ibinigay niya ako sa Kanya bilang asawa. Iniharap ako ng aking ama sa Panginoon kasama ang isang akṣauhiṇī na hukbo at ang aking mga kaibigang babae. Ito ang aking sukdulang kaganapan: kahit ako’y gumala sa buhay-buhay dahil sa karma, nawa’y sa bawat kapanganakan ay mapahintulutan akong masayad ang mga paang-loto ni Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
With the word ātmanaḥ, Queen Bhadrā speaks not only for herself but for all living entities as well. The soul’s perfection ( śreya ātmanaḥ ) is devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa, both in this world and beyond, in liberation.
FAQs
In this verse Bhadrā highlights that her mind was fixed on Kṛṣṇa, showing that devotion (single-minded remembrance) is central even within worldly relationships when Kṛṣṇa is the object.
She describes the royal marriage arrangement: along with the bride, wealth and protection were offered—here, an akṣauhiṇī division and attendants—indicating the political and dynastic context around Kṛṣṇa’s marriages.
Cultivate steady remembrance of Kṛṣṇa through daily japa, reading Bhagavatam, and offering one’s duties to Him—so the mind remains anchored in devotion amid responsibilities.