Chapter 83 · Class prep
A printable handout for teaching this chapter. For each verse with Personal Guidance, you'll see Prabhupāda's translation, the essence, two or three practical applications, and a discussion prompt. Press ⌘P / Ctrl P to print as a handout.
BG 83.1
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus Lord Kṛṣṇa, the spiritual master of the gopīs and the very purpose of their life, showed them His mercy. He then met with Yudhiṣṭhira and all His other relatives and inquired from them about their welfare.
Essence. Kṛṣṇa showed mercy to the gopīs and then met Yudhiṣṭhira and other relatives, inquiring after their welfare. The Lord moves freely between intimate and family circles; both receive His full attention.
BG 83.2
Feeling greatly honored, King Yudhiṣṭhira and the others, freed of all sinful reactions by seeing the feet of the Lord of the universe, gladly answered His inquiries.
Essence. Yudhiṣṭhira and the others, freed of all sinful reactions by seeing the Lord's feet, gladly answered His inquiries. Even before the conversation, the meeting purified them. Encounter precedes content.
BG 83.3
[Lord Kṛṣṇa’s relatives said:] O master, how can misfortune arise for those who have even once freely drunk the nectar coming from Your lotus feet? This intoxicating liquor pours into the drinking cups of their ears, having flowed from the minds of great devotees through their mouths. It destroys the embodied souls’ forgetfulness of the creator of their bodily existence.
Essence. 'How can misfortune arise for those who have drunk the nectar of Your feet? It destroys forgetfulness of the creator of bodily existence.' The remedy for forgetfulness is the nectar passed mouth-to-ear.
BG 83.4
The radiance of Your personal form dispels the threefold effects of material consciousness, and by Your grace we become immersed in total happiness. Your knowledge is indivisible and unrestricted. By Your Yoga-māyā potency You have assumed this human form for protecting the Vedas, which had been threatened by time. We bow down to You, the final destination of perfect saints.
Essence. Your form's radiance dispels the threefold material consciousness; by Your grace we become immersed in total happiness. You assumed this human form to protect the Vedas. The Lord descends because dharma needs protection.
BG 83.5
The great sage Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: As Yudhiṣṭhira and the others were thus praising Lord Kṛṣṇa, the crest jewel of all sublimely glorified personalities, the women of the Andhaka and Kaurava clans met with one another and began discussing topics about Govinda that are sung throughout the three worlds. Please listen as I relate these to you.
Essence. While Yudhiṣṭhira praised Kṛṣṇa, the women of the Andhaka and Kaurava clans met and discussed Govinda's pastimes. Women's circles tell the Lord's stories too; this transmission is its own lineage.
BG 83.6-7
Śrī Draupadī said: O Vaidarbhī, Bhadrā and Jāmbavatī, O Kauśalā, Satyabhāmā and Kālindī, O Śaibyā, Rohiṇī, Lakṣmaṇā and other wives of Lord Kṛṣṇa, please tell me how the Supreme Lord Acyuta, imitating the ways of this world by His mystic power, came to marry each of you.
Essence. Draupadī asked each queen — Rukmiṇī, Bhadrā, Jāmbavatī, Kauśalā, Satyabhāmā, Kālindī, Śaibyā, Rohiṇī, Lakṣmaṇā — to share how Kṛṣṇa came to marry her. Asking for the love-story is itself an act of devotion.
BG 83.8
Śrī Rukmiṇī said: When all the kings held their bows at the ready to assure that I would be presented to Śiśupāla, He who puts the dust of His feet on the heads of invincible warriors took me from their midst, as a lion forcibly takes his prey from the midst of goats and sheep. May I always be allowed to worship those feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the abode of Goddess Śrī.
Essence. Rukmiṇī said Kṛṣṇa took her like a lion taking prey from sheep, before she could be given to Śiśupāla. May I always worship those feet of the Lord, abode of Lakṣmī. The story ends in continuing prayer.
BG 83.9
Śrī Satyabhāmā said: My father, his heart tormented by his brother’s death, accused Kṛṣṇa of killing him. To remove the stain on His reputation, the Lord defeated the king of the bears and took back the Syamantaka jewel, which He then returned to my father. Fearing the consequences of his offense, my father offered me to the Lord, even though I had already been promised to others.
Essence. Satyabhāmā: my father, tormented by his brother's death, falsely accused Kṛṣṇa, who then defeated the bear king, recovered the jewel, and was offered me in restitution. Some marriages begin in injustice and end in reconciliation.
BG 83.10
Śrī Jāmbavatī said: Unaware that Lord Kṛṣṇa was none other than his own master and worshipable Deity, the husband of Goddess Sītā, my father fought with Him for twenty-seven days. When my father finally came to his senses and recognized the Lord, he took hold of His feet and presented Him with both me and the Syamantaka jewel as tokens of his reverence. I am simply the Lord’s maidservant.
Essence. Jāmbavatī: my father, unaware Kṛṣṇa was his own worshipable Rāma, fought Him 27 days; when he recognized Him, he gave me and the jewel. Family disputes can mask deeper recognitions waiting to surface.
BG 83.11
Śrī Kālindī said: The Lord knew I was performing severe austerities and penances with the hope of one day touching His lotus feet. So He came to me in the company of His friend and took my hand in marriage. Now I am engaged as a sweeper in His palace.
Essence. Kālindī: knowing I was performing austerities to touch His feet, He came with His friend and took my hand; now I'm a sweeper in His palace. The deepest love asks for the lowest position; the heart values service over status.
BG 83.12
Śrī Mitravindā said: At my svayaṁvara ceremony He came forward, defeated all the kings present — including my brothers, who dared insult Him — and took me away just as a lion removes his prey from amidst a pack of dogs. Thus Lord Kṛṣṇa, the shelter of the goddess of fortune, brought me to His capital city. May I be allowed to serve Him by washing His feet, life after life.
Essence. Mitravindā: at my svayaṁvara He defeated my insulting brothers and took me like a lion from a pack of dogs. May I serve Him by washing His feet, life after life. The lion-image returns; bhakti is rescue.
BG 83.13-14
Śrī Satyā said: My father arranged for seven extremely powerful and vigorous bulls with deadly sharp horns to test the prowess of the kings who desired my hand in marriage. Although these bulls destroyed the false pride of many heroes, Lord Kṛṣṇa subdued them effortlessly, tying them up in the same way that children playfully tie up a goat’s kids. He thus purchased me with His valor. Then He took me away with my maidservants and a full army of four divisions, defeating all the kings who opposed Him along the road. May I be granted the privilege of serving that Lord.
Essence. Satyā: my father set seven deadly bulls; Kṛṣṇa tied them like children tying kid goats and purchased me with His valor. The Lord makes light of what destroyed others; what crushes some, He plays with.
BG 83.15-16
Śrī Bhadrā said: My dear Draupadī, of his own free will my father invited his nephew Kṛṣṇa, to whom I had already dedicated my heart, and offered me to Him as His bride. My father presented me to the Lord with an akṣauhiṇi military guard and a retinue of my female companions. My ultimate perfection is this: to always be allowed to touch Lord Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet as I wander from life to life, bound by my karma.
Essence. Bhadrā: my father invited Kṛṣṇa, to whom I had already dedicated my heart, and offered me with an akṣauhiṇī guard. My perfection is to touch His lotus feet, life after life. The bound feet are the freed soul.
BG 83.17
Śrī Lakṣmaṇā said: O Queen, I repeatedly heard Nārada Muni glorify the appearances and activities of Acyuta, and thus my heart also became attached to that Lord, Mukunda. Indeed, even Goddess Padmahastā chose Him as her husband after careful consideration, rejecting the great demigods who rule various planets.
Essence. Lakṣmaṇā: hearing Nārada repeatedly glorify Kṛṣṇa, my heart became attached. Hearing creates attraction; even Lakṣmī chose Him after deliberation. Devotion follows from sustained listening.
BG 83.18
My father, Bṛhatsena, was by nature compassionate to his daughter, and knowing how I felt, O saintly lady, he arranged to fulfill my desire.
Essence. My father, Bṛhatsena, compassionate to his daughter, arranged to fulfill my desire. A parent's deep love sometimes simply arranges what their child longs for — without questioning the longing.
BG 83.19
Just as a fish was used as a target in your svayaṁvara ceremony, O Queen, to assure that you would obtain Arjuna as your husband, so a fish was also used in my ceremony. In my case, however, it was concealed on all sides, and only its reflection could be seen in a pot of water below.
Essence. A fish target was set, concealed on all sides, visible only as reflection in water below. Some tests are designed to reveal who can hit a target seen only indirectly; clarity by reflection is its own discipline.
BG 83.20
Hearing of this, thousands of kings expert in shooting arrows and in wielding other weapons converged from all directions on my father’s city, accompanied by their military teachers.
Essence. Thousands of kings expert in shooting arrived with their military teachers. Significant tests draw significant competitors; the Lord does not enter unworthy contests.
BG 83.21
My father properly honored each king according to his strength and seniority. Then those whose minds were fixed on me took up the bow and arrow and one by one tried to pierce the target in the midst of the assembly.
Essence. My father honored each king by strength and seniority. Those with minds fixed on me took the bow. Right order of honor; only the genuinely committed step forward.
BG 83.22
Some of them picked up the bow but could not string it, and so they threw it aside in frustration. Some managed to pull the bowstring toward the tip of the bow, only to have the bow spring back and knock them to the ground.
Essence. Some could not even string the bow; others were knocked to the ground by it. Public attempts often reveal limits we did not know we had; embarrassment is the price of trying.
BG 83.23
A few heroes — namely Jarāsandha, Śiśupāla, Bhīma, Duryodhana, Karṇa and the King of Ambaṣṭha — succeeded in stringing the bow, but none of them could find the target.
Essence. Jarāsandha, Śiśupāla, Bhīma, Duryodhana, Karṇa, the King of Ambaṣṭha — strong enough to string the bow, but none could find the target. Strength without precision is not yet skill.
BG 83.24
Then Arjuna looked at the reflection of the fish in the water and determined its position. When he carefully shot his arrow at it, however, he did not pierce the target but merely grazed it.
Essence. Arjuna shot at the reflection, determined the position, and merely grazed it. Even the world's best marksman could not complete this task by skill alone; some thresholds require something more.
BG 83.25-26
After all the arrogant kings had given up, their pride broken, the Supreme Personality of Godhead picked up the bow, easily strung it and then fixed His arrow upon it. As the sun stood in the constellation Abhijit, He looked at the fish in the water only once and then pierced it with the arrow, knocking it to the ground.
Essence. At the Abhijit muhūrta, Kṛṣṇa strung the bow, looked at the reflection once, and pierced the target. Auspicious timing plus the Lord's effortless competence accomplishes what no one else could.
BG 83.27
Kettledrums resounded in the sky, and on the earth people shouted “Jaya! Jaya!” Overjoyed, demigods showered flowers.
Essence. Kettledrums sounded, people shouted 'Jaya!', demigods showered flowers. The right victory triggers celebration across multiple worlds. We are not the only audience.
BG 83.28
Just then I walked onto the ceremonial ground, the ankle bells on my feet gently tinkling. I was wearing new garments of the finest silk, tied with a belt, and I carried a brilliant necklace fashioned of gold and jewels. There was a shy smile on my face and a wreath of flowers in my hair.
Essence. I walked onto the ground in silk garments, jeweled necklace, shy smile, flowers in my hair, ankle bells tinkling. Lakṣmaṇā describes herself unselfconsciously — joy lets us speak about our own moments without false modesty.
BG 83.29
I lifted my face, which was encircled by my abundant locks and effulgent from the glow of my earrings reflected from my cheeks. Smiling coolly, I glanced about. Then, looking around at all the kings, I slowly placed the necklace on the shoulder of Murāri, who had captured my heart.
Essence. I glanced around at all the kings and slowly placed the necklace on Murāri, who had captured my heart. The chosen one is not announced; the heart simply moves toward Him.
BG 83.30
Just then there were loud sounds of conchshells and mṛdaṅga, paṭaha, bherī and ānaka drums, as well as other instruments. Men and women began to dance, and singers began to sing.
Essence. Conchshells, drums, dancing, singing. The right choice is celebrated by everyone with the music suited to the moment. The body knows when something is right.
BG 83.31
The leading kings there could not tolerate my having chosen the Supreme Personality of Godhead, O Draupadī. Burning with lust, they became quarrelsome.
Essence. The leading kings could not tolerate that I had chosen the Lord and became quarrelsome — even after seeing His supreme power. Lust hates losing; it does not learn from defeat.
BG 83.32
The Lord then placed me on His chariot, drawn by four most excellent horses. Donning His armor and readying His bow Śārṅga, He stood on the chariot, and there on the battleground He manifested His four arms.
Essence. The Lord placed me on His chariot, donned armor, took Śārṅga, and manifested four arms. Two arms embraced me, two held bow and arrow. Love and protection are simultaneous in His person.
BG 83.33
Dāruka drove the Lord’s gold-trimmed chariot as the kings looked on, O Queen, like small animals helplessly watching a lion.
Essence. Dāruka drove as the kings watched like small animals helplessly watching a lion. When the Lord takes someone, opposition can only watch.
BG 83.34
The kings pursued the Lord like village dogs chasing a lion. Some kings, raising their bows, stationed themselves on the road to stop Him as He passed by.
Essence. The kings pursued like village dogs chasing a lion; some stationed themselves to block. Petty pursuit of the Lord's chariot accomplishes nothing — yet the proud keep trying.
BG 83.35
These warriors were deluged by arrows shot from the Lord’s bow, Śārṅga. Some of the kings fell on the battlefield with severed arms, legs and necks; the rest gave up the fight and fled.
Essence. Some kings fell with severed arms, legs, necks; others fled. Opposition to the Lord's choice has consequences proportionate to the persistence; backing down is wisdom.
BG 83.36
The Lord of the Yadus then entered His capital city, Kuśasthalī [Dvārakā], which is glorified in heaven and on earth. The city was elaborately decorated with flagpoles carrying banners that blocked the sun, and also with splendid archways. As Lord Kṛṣṇa entered, He appeared like the sun-god entering his abode.
Essence. The Lord entered Kuśasthalī (Dvārakā) — glorified in heaven and earth — like the sun entering its abode. The Lord's home is celestial in its own dimension; entering it with Him is reaching home.
BG 83.37
My father honored his friends, family and in-laws with priceless clothing and jewelry and with royal beds, thrones and other furnishings.
Essence. My father honored friends, family, in-laws with clothes, jewelry, beds, thrones, furnishings. Wealth used for honoring family is wealth used well.
BG 83.38
With devotion he presented the perfectly complete Lord with a number of maidservants bedecked with precious ornaments. Accompanying these maidservants were guards walking on foot and others riding elephants, chariots and horses. He also gave the Lord extremely valuable weapons.
Essence. He presented the Lord with maidservants, foot guards, elephant-, chariot-, and horse-mounted attendants, and valuable weapons. Gifts to the Lord are extravagant because the giver loves, not because the Lord needs.
BG 83.39
Thus, by renouncing all material association and practicing austere penances, we queens have all become personal maidservants of the self-satisfied Supreme Lord.
Essence. By renouncing all material association and practicing penances, we queens became personal maidservants of the self-satisfied Lord. The path is real austerity; the goal is service position.
BG 83.40
Rohiṇī-devi, speaking for the other queens, said: After killing Bhaumāsura and his followers, the Lord found us in the demon’s prison and could understand that we were the daughters of the kings whom Bhauma had defeated during his conquest of the earth. The Lord set us free, and because we had been constantly meditating upon His lotus feet, the source of liberation from material entanglement, He agreed to marry us, though His every desire is already fulfilled.
Essence. Rohiṇī: Kṛṣṇa found us in Bhauma's prison, recognized us as the daughters of conquered kings, freed us — and because we were constantly meditating on His feet, He accepted us. Sustained meditation, even in prison, is recognized.
BG 83.41-42
O saintly lady, we do not desire dominion over the earth, the sovereignty of the King of heaven, unlimited facility for enjoyment, mystic power, the position of Lord Brahmā, immortality or even attainment of the kingdom of God. We simply desire to carry on our heads the glorious dust of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s feet, enriched by the fragrance of kuṅkuma from His consort’s bosom.
Essence. We do not desire earthly rule, heaven, mystic power, Brahmā's position, immortality, or even Vaikuṇṭha — only to carry the dust of Kṛṣṇa's feet, enriched by His consort's kuṅkuma, on our heads.
BG 83.43
We desire the same contact with the Supreme Lord’s feet that the young women of Vraja, the cowherd boys and even the aborigine Pulinda women desire — the touch of the dust He leaves on the plants and grass as He tends His cows.
Essence. We desire what the Vraja gopīs, cowherd boys, and even aboriginal Pulinda women desire — the touch of dust He leaves on the plants and grass as He tends His cows. The simplest seekers' wish is the highest wish.