Shloka 35
The Departure of Lord Kṛṣṇa from Hastināpura
कुरुजाङ्गलपाञ्चालान् शूरसेनान् सयामुनान् । ब्रह्मावर्तं कुरुक्षेत्रं मत्स्यान् सारस्वतानथ ॥ ३४ ॥ मरुधन्वमतिक्रम्य सौवीराभीरयो: परान् । आनर्तान् भार्गवोपागाच्छ्रान्तवाहो मनाग्विभु: ॥ ३५ ॥
kuru-jāṅgala-pāñcālān śūrasenān sayāmunān brahmāvartaṁ kurukṣetraṁ matsyān sārasvatān atha
O Śaunaka, darauf zog der Herr durch Kurujāṅgala, Pāñcāla, Śūrasena, die Länder am Ufer der Yamunā, Brahmāvarta, Kurukṣetra, Matsya, Sārasvata und Marudhanva (das Wüstenland). Nachdem Er diese durchquert hatte, gelangte Er über Sauvīra und Ābhīra und erreichte westlich davon schließlich Dvārakā.
The provinces passed over by the Lord in those days were differently named, but the direction given is sufficient to indicate that He traveled through Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Saurastra and Gujarat and at last reached His home province at Dvārakā. We do not gain any profit simply by researching the analogous provinces of those days up to now, but it appears that the desert of Rajasthan and the provinces of scanty water like Madhya Pradesh were present even five thousand years ago. The theory of soil experts that the desert developed in recent years is not supported by the statements of Bhāgavatam. We may leave the matter for expert geologists to research because the changing universe has different phases of geological development. We are satisfied that the Lord has now reached His own province, Dvārakā-dhāma, from the Kuru provinces. Kurukṣetra continues to exist since the Vedic age, and it is sheer foolishness when interpreters ignore or deny the existence of Kurukṣetra.
FAQs
This verse lists the sacred kingdoms and regions Krishna passed through—Kurujāṅgala, Pāñcāla, Śūrasena by the Yamunā, Brahmāvarta, Kurukṣetra, Matsya, and the Sārasvata region—showing His return route toward Dvārakā.
They are dharma-kṣetras—lands renowned for Vedic culture and sacrifice—highlighting that Krishna’s movements sanctify and connect the major holy regions of Bhārata-varṣa within the narrative of His departure.
It inspires devotees to keep sacred remembrance (smaraṇa) of the Lord and to value tīrtha—places, practices, and communities that support dharma and devotion.