Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 53
Kṛṣṇa Teases Rukmiṇī; Her Devotional Reply and the Lord’s Assurance
मां प्राप्य मानिन्यपवर्गसम्पदं वाञ्छन्ति ये सम्पद एव तत्पतिम् । ते मन्दभागा निरयेऽपि ये नृणां मात्रात्मकत्वात्निरय: सुसङ्गम: ॥ ५३ ॥
māṁ prāpya māniny apavarga-sampadaṁ vāñchanti ye sampada eva tat-patim te manda-bhāgā niraye ’pi ye nṛṇāṁ mātrātmakatvāt nirayaḥ su-saṅgamaḥ
噢至爱的宝藏！不幸的是，有人得到了我——解脱与财富之主——却只贪求物质财宝。此等所得连地狱中也可见；因沉迷感官享乐，地狱正合他们的归处。
It stands to reason that since Lord Kṛṣṇa is the source of all pleasure and all opulence, He Himself is the supreme pleasure and the most opulent. Therefore our real self-interest is to always engage in the loving service of Lord Kṛṣṇa. As Prahlāda Mahārāja says ( Bhāg. 7.5.31 ), na te viduḥ svārtha-gatiṁ hi viṣṇum: “The ignorant do not know that their actual self-interest lies in attaining the Supreme Lord, Viṣṇu [Kṛṣṇa].”
FAQs
This verse teaches that attaining Kṛṣṇa—the Lord of liberation—yet still craving material opulence is true misfortune; the devotee should value Him above all worldly gains.
Kṛṣṇa is speaking in an intimate, instructive exchange with Rukmiṇī, highlighting that real fortune is devotion to Him, not attachment to prosperity even after receiving His grace.
Measure success by growth in devotion and character, not by possessions—use wealth as service, and keep the heart anchored in remembrance of Kṛṣṇa.