Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 16
Kṛṣṇa Teases Rukmiṇī; Her Devotional Reply and the Lord’s Assurance
वैदर्भ्येतदविज्ञाय त्वयादीर्घसमीक्षया । वृता वयं गुणैर्हीना भिक्षुभि: श्लाघिता मुधा ॥ १६ ॥
vaidarbhy etad avijñāya tvayādīrgha-samīkṣayā vṛtā vayaṁ guṇair hīnā bhikṣubhiḥ ślāghitā mudhā
Hỡi Vaidarbhī, vì không nhìn xa trông rộng nên nàng không hiểu điều ấy; bởi vậy nàng đã chọn Ta làm phu quân, dù Ta không có đức tính nào và chỉ được bọn hành khất mê lầm ca tụng vô ích.
FAQs
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.
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.
Practice humility and avoid self-praise; even when competent, speak and act without pride—this nurtures healthier relationships and supports genuine devotion.