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
室利·跋陀罗说：亲爱的德劳帕蒂，我父亲出于自愿召来他的外甥室利·奎师那——我的心早已奉献于他——并将我作为新娘献给他。父亲又以一支阿克绍希尼军队与女伴随从，将我交付于主。我的究竟圆满在此：纵使因业力而生生世世漂泊，愿我在每一世都得以触及室利·奎师那的莲足。
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.