Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 38
Vidura Leaves Hastināpura and Meets Uddhava
Vidura’s Tīrtha-yātrā Begins
कच्चिद्यशोधा रथयूथपानां गाण्डीवधन्वोपरतारिरास्ते । अलक्षितो यच्छरकूटगूढो मायाकिरातो गिरिशस्तुतोष ॥ ३८ ॥
kaccid yaśodhā ratha-yūthapānāṁ gāṇḍīva-dhanvoparatārir āste alakṣito yac-chara-kūṭa-gūḍho māyā-kirāto giriśas tutoṣa
Sagt mir: Geht es Arjuna, dem Träger des Bogens Gāṇḍīva, der unter den Wagenkriegern berühmt ist, weil er die Feinde bezwingt, gut? Einst erfreute er Girīśa (Śiva), indem er Ihn mit einem Pfeilhagel bedeckte, als der Herr in der unerkannten Gestalt eines trügerischen Kirāta-Jägers erschien.
Lord Śiva tested Arjuna’s strength by picking a quarrel with him over a hunted boar. He confronted Arjuna in the false dress of a hunter, and Arjuna covered him with arrows until Lord Śiva was satisfied with Arjuna’s fighting. He offered Arjuna the Pāśupati weapon and blessed him. Here Vidura inquired about the great warrior’s well-being.
FAQs
This verse highlights Yaśodā’s intimate, parental devotion (vātsalya-bhakti): she could treat the Supreme Lord like her child and even bind Him, showing how bhakti overpowers awe and reverence.
Vidura was eager to hear about Kṛṣṇa’s associates after Kṛṣṇa’s departure from the world; he asks about Yaśodā to remember and honor the devotees whose love for Kṛṣṇa is central to Bhagavatam’s message.
Cultivate sincere, personal devotion—serve God with love and simplicity rather than mere formality—by remembering Kṛṣṇa daily, serving His devotees, and nurturing a heartfelt relationship through prayer and kīrtana.