Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 13
Uddhava Sent to Vraja: Consolation to Nanda-Yaśodā and the Gopīs’ Separation
वासितार्थेऽभियुध्यद्भिर्नादितं शुश्मिभिर्वृषै: । धावन्तीभिश्च वास्राभिरुधोभारै: स्ववत्सकान् ॥ ९ ॥ इतस्ततो विलङ्घद्भिर्गोवत्सैर्मण्डितं सितै: । गोदोहशब्दाभिरवं वेणूनां नि:स्वनेन च ॥ १० ॥ गायन्तीभिश्च कर्माणि शुभानि बलकृष्णयो: । स्वलङ्कृताभिर्गोपीभिर्गोपैश्च सुविराजितम् ॥ ११ ॥ अग्न्यर्कातिथिगोविप्रपितृदेवार्चनान्वितै: । धूपदीपैश्च माल्यैश्च गोपावासैर्मनोरमम् ॥ १२ ॥ सर्वत: पुष्पितवनं द्विजालिकुलनादितम् । हंसकारण्डवाकीर्णै: पद्मषण्डैश्च मण्डितम् ॥ १३ ॥
vāsitārthe ’bhiyudhyadbhir nāditaṁ śuśmibhir vṛṣaiḥ dhāvantībhiś ca vāsrābhir udho-bhāraiḥ sva-vatsakān
Gokula resounded on all sides with the sounds of bulls in rut fighting with one another for fertile cows; with the mooing of cows, burdened by their udders, chasing after their calves; with the noise of milking and of the white calves jumping here and there; with the loud reverberation of flute-playing; and with the singing of the all-auspicious deeds of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma by the cowherd men and women, who made the village resplendent with their wonderfully ornamented attire. The cowherds’ homes in Gokula appeared most charming with their abundant paraphernalia for worship of the sacrificial fire, the sun, unexpected guests, the cows, the brāhmaṇas, the forefathers and the demigods. On all sides lay the flowering forest, echoing with flocks of birds and swarms of bees and beautified by its lakes crowded with swans, kāraṇḍava ducks and bowers of lotuses.
Although Gokula was merged in grief because of separation from Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Lord expanded His internal potency to cover that particular manifestation of Vraja and allow Uddhava to see the normal bustle and joy of Vraja at sunset.
FAQs
In 10.46.13, Śukadeva describes Vraja as blooming on all sides, alive with birdsong, and ornamented by lotus waters filled with swans and kāraṇḍava ducks—showing the dhāma’s divine, devotional atmosphere.
Because Uddhava is arriving in Vraja to witness the land of Kṛṣṇa’s intimate pastimes; the natural beauty underscores the sacred mood of the dhāma and contrasts with the pain of separation felt by Kṛṣṇa’s devotees there.
Create a devotional environment—through sāttvika surroundings, sacred sound (kīrtana/śravaṇa), and remembrance of Kṛṣṇa—so the mind becomes naturally inclined toward bhakti, like Vraja’s atmosphere supports devotion.