Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 48
Devas in Dvārakā, Brahmā’s Petition, and Uddhava’s Appeal
Prabhāsa Departure Set-Up
वयं त्विह महायोगिन् भ्रमन्त: कर्मवर्त्मसु । त्वद्वार्तया तरिष्यामस्तावकैर्दुस्तरं तम: ॥ ४८ ॥ स्मरन्त: कीर्तयन्तस्ते कृतानि गदितानि च । गत्युत्स्मितेक्षणक्ष्वेलि यन्नृलोकविडम्बनम् ॥ ४९ ॥
vayaṁ tv iha mahā-yogin bhramantaḥ karma-vartmasu tvad-vārtayā tariṣyāmas tāvakair dustaraṁ tamaḥ
O greatest of mystics, although we are conditioned souls wandering on the path of fruitive work, we will certainly cross beyond the darkness of this material world simply by hearing about Your Lordship in the association of Your devotees. Thus we are always remembering and glorifying the wonderful things You do and the wonderful things You say. We ecstatically recall Your amorous pastimes with Your confidential conjugal devotees and how You boldly smile and move about while engaged in such youthful pastimes. My dear Lord, Your loving pastimes are bewilderingly similar to the activities of ordinary people within this material world.
In this verse Uddhava, by stating bhramantaḥ karma-vartmasu, humbly presents himself as one of the conditioned souls entangled in fruitive activities. Still, Uddhava is confident that he will certainly cross over the illusory energy because he is addicted to chanting and remembering the glorious activities and words of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Similarly, Rūpa Gosvāmī has stated:
FAQs
This verse teaches that one crosses the hard-to-cross darkness of material ignorance by engaging in narrations about the Lord (tad-vārtā/krishna-kathā) in the company of His devotees.
They acknowledge the common condition of conditioned souls—being drawn into fruitive action and its reactions—and therefore seek the liberating remedy of devotion through hearing about the Lord with saintly devotees.
Regularly hear or read Bhagavatam, discuss the Lord’s teachings with sincere devotees, and let that devotional association replace anxiety-driven, result-centered living.