Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 3
Devas in Dvārakā, Brahmā’s Petition, and Uddhava’s Appeal
Prabhāsa Departure Set-Up
इन्द्रो मरुद्भिर्भगवानादित्या वसवोऽश्विनौ । ऋभवोऽङ्गिरसो रुद्रा विश्वे साध्याश्च देवता: ॥ २ ॥ गन्धर्वाप्सरसो नागा: सिद्धचारणगुह्यका: । ऋषय: पितरश्चैव सविद्याधरकिन्नरा: ॥ ३ ॥ द्वारकामुपसञ्जग्मु: सर्वे कृष्णदिदृक्षव: । वपुषा येन भगवान् नरलोकमनोरम: । यशो वितेने लोकेषु सर्वलोकमलापहम् ॥ ४ ॥
indro marudbhir bhagavān ādityā vasavo ’śvinau ṛbhavo ’ṅgiraso rudrā viśve sādhyāś ca devatāḥ
Der mächtige Indra kam zusammen mit den Maruts, den Ādityas, den Vasus, den Aśvinīs, den Ṛbhus, den Aṅgirās, den Rudras, den Viśvedevas und den Sādhyas; ebenso Gandharvas, Apsarās, Nāgas, Siddhas, Cāraṇas, Guhyakas, die großen Ṛṣis und die Ahnen (Pitṛs) sowie Vidyādharas und Kinnaras. Alle gelangten nach Dvārakā, voller Sehnsucht, Śrī Kṛṣṇa zu schauen. Durch Seine transzendente Gestalt bezaubert Bhagavān Kṛṣṇa die Menschenwelt; Sein Ruhm durchdringt alle Welten und tilgt jede Verunreinigung des Universums.
The Personality of Godhead descends within the material world to assist the demigods in the cosmic management; thus the demigods can normally see such forms of the Lord as Upendra. However, here it is indicated that although accustomed to seeing various Viṣṇu expansions of the Lord, the demigods were specifically eager to see the most beautiful form of the Lord as Kṛṣṇa. Deha-dehi-vibhāgaś ca neśvare vidyate kvacit: there is no distinction between the Supreme Lord and His personal body. The jīva soul is different from his body, but the beautiful, transcendental form of the Lord is identical with the Lord in all respects.
FAQs
The verse lists major classes of devas and celestial beings—Indra with the Maruts, Ādityas, Vasus, Aśvinīs, Rudras, Viśvedevas, Sādhyas, along with Gandharvas, Apsarās, Nāgas, Siddhas, Cāraṇas, Guhyakas, sages, Pitṛs, Vidyādharas, and Kinnaras—indicating a universal assembly.
In this narrative section, they gather out of eagerness to behold Śrī Kṛṣṇa, whose presence in Dvārakā draws even the highest celestial orders, acknowledging His extraordinary glory.
Just as exalted beings prioritize darśana of the Lord, a devotee can prioritize regular remembrance, worship, and association centered on Kṛṣṇa—placing spiritual vision above ordinary prestige or distraction.