॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
Monday, 26 September 2022 - Uddhava directs Vidura as advised by Sri Krishna to go to Sage Maitreya for spiritual instruction.
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The self-destruction of the Yadus was sordid indeed.
अथ ते तदनुज्ञाता भुक्त्वा पीत्वा च वारुणीम् । तया विभ्रंशितज्ञाना दुरुक्तैर्मर्म पस्पृश: ॥
T: Thereafter, as Fate willed it, the Yadus all got drunk terribly on the intoxicant Varuni, and began hurling abuses at one another. Soon they came to blows and in a bloody battle, destroyed themselves.
भगवान् स्वात्ममायाया गतिं तामवलोक्य स: । सरस्वतीमुपस्पृश्य वृक्षमूलमुपाविशत् ॥
Seeing the turn of events, Bhagavan Sri Krishna went away to the bank of the river Saraswati and settled under a tree. Uddhava went in search and located him.
श्यामावदातं विरजं प्रशान्तारुणलोचनम् ।दोर्भिश्चतुर्भिर्विदितं पीतकौशाम्बरेण च ॥
T: Uddhava witnessed a pensive Sri Krishna, still looking every bit as glorious as before, in his dusky complexion, full of peace within, with his reddish eyes, displaying his four hands and wearing the golden silken garment. He lay with his right leg crossed over his left thigh, under an Ashwattha tree.
Then Sage Maitreya, traversing many regions, arrived there. A friend of Sage Vyasa, he was a great devotee of the Lord. As he stood by in devotion, Sri Krishna addressed Uddhava.
“Oh, dear friend, you are an incarnation of one of the Vasus (divine guardians). I know you have longed for my company and that is why I have granted this meeting. You shall reach Vaikuntha at the end of this birth, by the merit of your Bhakti.”
पुरा मया प्रोक्तमजाय नाभ्ये पद्मे निषण्णाय ममादिसर्गे । ज्ञानं परं मन्महिमावभासं यत्सूरयो भागवतं वदन्ति ॥
T: “Oh, Uddhava, very long ago, I have given to Brahma the spiritual instruction about my eternal transcendent glory, and that instruction is now called Srimad Bhagavatam by the sages.”
Uddhava was thrilled at that moment and managed to say:” Oh, dear Lord, I know how seekers strive after the four Purusharthas, viz. Dharma Artha Kama and Moksha. None of these appeal to me. Please grant me devotional service to you forever.”
Uddhava also spoke his mind: “Oh Lord, I am bewildered as much as the sages about your sports and pastimes in your human form, living a householder’s life. You have even played the game of running away from the enemy. You have sported with women. You are beyond Time and Knowledge and yet you have encouraged me on occasion in the past to give you worldly advice! So please grant me that supreme knowledge about your mystery that you gave to Lord Brahma before!”
Sri Krishna agreed and graciously gave Uddhava that supreme knowledge. This is covered as Uddhava Gita in the tenth Skandha.
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Uddhava now tells that he is moving about like a mad man, and feels an intense longing for the Lord. He is proceeding to Badarikashrama as advised by the Lord.where Nara-Narayana, incarnations of Bhagavan Maha Vishnu, have been in deep meditation for aeons for the welfare of all.
Vidura marvels at Uddhava’s receiving such grace from Lord Sri Krishna. Vidura requests Uddhava: Would Uddhava kindly transfer that knowledge to Vidura now? Uddhava replies that it is the Lord’s specific message for Vidura (that he has left with Uddhava) that Vidura should approach Sage Maitreya for spiritual instruction.
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While listening to all this from Sage Shuka, King Parikshit wondered, when all the Yadus died, why and how was Uddhava spared? Shuka explained that the sage’s curse that actualised the destruction of the Yadus was only the Lord’s play. Sri Krishna wanted Uddhava to remain on earth after Sri Krishna’s own ascent so that he would spread the Bhagavata dharma for the welfare of all.
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Vidura now began to cry, in response to all that he had heard, especially the passing of Sri Krishna. He then slowly proceeded to the bank of the Ganga where Sage Maitreya was staying.
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॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
