Shloka 29
Kṛṣṇa Comforts His Parents, Restores Ugrasena, Studies with Sāndīpani, and Returns the Guru’s Son
ततश्च लब्धसंस्कारौ द्विजत्वं प्राप्य सुव्रतौ । गर्गाद् यदुकुलाचार्याद्गायत्रं व्रतमास्थितौ ॥ २९ ॥
tataś ca labdha-saṁskārau dvijatvaṁ prāpya su-vratau gargād yadu-kulācāryād gāyatraṁ vratam āsthitau
After receiving initiation, the two Lords—steadfast in Their vows—attained the status of twice-born and, from Garga Muni, the ācārya of the Yadu dynasty, accepted the Gāyatrī and the vow of brahmacarya.
Both Śrīdhara Svāmī and Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura explain the term gāyatraṁ vratam as the vow of brahmacarya, or celibacy in student life. Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma were playing the part of perfect students on the path of self-realization. Of course, in the modern, degraded age, student life has become a wild, animalistic affair filled with illicit sex and drugs.
FAQs
This verse states that Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma received saṁskāras, attained dvija status, and undertook the Gāyatrī observance under Garga Muni, showing Vedic initiation as a sacred discipline guided by an ācārya.
In the narrative, Garga Muni is the Yadu dynasty’s ācārya; as part of the brothers’ formal education and Vedic training, he performs the rites and establishes them in the Gāyatrī vrata.
The verse highlights disciplined spiritual practice under proper guidance—today this can mean adopting a steady daily sādhana (mantra, study, ethical vows) with respect for authentic teachers and tradition.