tasmin antar-grhe bhrajan-

 mukta-dama-vilambina

virajite vitanena

 dipair mani-mayair api

 

mallika-damabhih puspair

 dvirepha-kula-nadite

jala-randhra-pravistais ca

 gobhis candramaso ’malaih

 

parijata-vanamoda-

 vayunodyana-salina

dhupair aguru-jai rajan

 jala-randhra-vinirgataih

 

payah-phena-nibhe subhre

 paryanke kasiputtame

upatasthe sukhasinam

 jagatam isvaram patim

 

Translation: 

 

Queen Rukmini’s quarters were extremely beautiful, boasting a canopy hung with brilliant strings of pearls, as well as effulgent jewels serving as lamps. Garlands of jasmine and other flowers hung here and there, attracting swarms of humming bees, and the spotless rays of the moon shone through the holes of the lattice windows. As aguru incense drifted out of the window holes, my dear King, the breeze wafting the scent of the parijata grove carried the mood of a garden into the room. There the Queen served her husband, the Supreme Lord of all the worlds, as He reclined upon an opulent pillow on her bed, which was as soft and white as the foam of milk.

 

Purport: 

 

According to Srila Sridhara Svami, Rukmini’s palace was quite famous then, as now, and these descriptions give a glimpse into its opulence. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti adds that the word amalaih in this verse may also be read arunaih, which would indicate that when this pastime took place the moon had just risen, bathing the entire palace in beautiful ruddy moonshine.