Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 7

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

Devanagari script

वालव्यजनमादाय रत्नदण्डं सखीकरात् । तेन वीजयती देवी उपासां चक्र ईश्वरम् ॥ ७ ॥

Transliteration

vāla-vyajanam ādāya ratna-daṇḍaṁ sakhī-karāt tena vījayatī devī upāsāṁ cakra īśvaram

Translation

鲁克米妮女神从侍女手中接过镶宝柄的牦牛尾拂尘（扇），随即以扇拂奉事她的主宰——至上之主奎师那。

Synonyms

• वाला-व्यजनम्: a yak-tail fan
• वाला-व्यजनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाला (प्रातिपदिक) + व्यजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (वाला-सम्बन्धि व्यजनम्)

• आदाय: having taken
• आदाय: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-दा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (Gerund/Absolutive), ‘having taken’

• रत्न-दण्डम्: a jewel-studded handle/staff
• रत्न-दण्डम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रत्न (प्रातिपदिक) + दण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (रत्नस्य दण्डः)

• सखी-करात्: from the hand of a female companion
• सखी-करात्: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सखी (प्रातिपदिक) + कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (अपादान), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (सख्याः करः)

• तेन: with that
• तेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• वीजयती: she fans
• वीजयती: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वीज् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• देवी: the goddess/queen
• देवी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता), एकवचन

• उपासाम्: service, attendance
• उपासाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपासा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• चक्र: she performed/did
• चक्र: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• ईश्वरम्: the Lord
• ईश्वरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• Rukmiṇī
• Śrī Kṛṣṇa
• Rukmiṇī’s sakhī (female companion)

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam say about serving Krishna through simple personal service (seva)?

This verse shows Rukmiṇī worshiping Kṛṣṇa by a humble, intimate service—fanning Him—illustrating that bhakti is expressed through loving attendance, not merely ritual.

Why does Rukmini fan Lord Krishna in Bhagavatam 10.60?

In the chapter’s domestic setting, Rukmiṇī’s fanning of Kṛṣṇa reflects her affectionate devotion and her role as His devoted queen, serving the Lord personally within His intimate pastimes.

How can I apply the lesson of Rukmini’s seva in modern life?

Offer steady, practical service with a loving attitude—caring actions, attentive worship, and daily devotion—seeing simple duties as offerings to God.