Shloka 24
Uddhava’s Counsel: The Jarāsandha Resolution and Kṛṣṇa’s Arrival at Indraprastha
गीतवादित्रघोषेण ब्रह्मघोषेण भूयसा । अभ्ययात्स हृषीकेशं प्राणा: प्राणमिवादृत: ॥ २४ ॥
gīta-vāditra-ghoṣeṇa brahma-ghoṣeṇa bhūyasā abhyayāt sa hṛṣīkeśaṁ prāṇāḥ prāṇam ivādṛtaḥ
Amid the sound of songs and instruments, and even more the mighty chanting of Vedic hymns, the King went forth with deep reverence to meet Lord Hṛṣīkeśa, as the senses move toward the very breath of life—consciousness.
Lord Kṛṣṇa is here described as Hṛṣīkeśa, the Lord of the senses, and King Yudhiṣṭhira’s rushing to the Lord is compared to the senses eagerly joining the consciousness of life. Without consciousness, the senses are useless; indeed, the senses function through consciousness. Similarly, when the individual souls are bereft of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, love of God, they enter into a useless and illusory struggle called material existence. Pure devotees like King Yudhiṣṭhira are never bereft of the Lord’s association, for they keep Him always within their heart, and yet they feel special ecstasy when they see the Lord after long separation, as described here.
FAQs
This verse describes approaching Lord Hṛṣīkeśa amid kīrtana and Vedic recitation, with the same natural reverence the life-airs show to the life within—teaching that devotion is expressed through honor, surrender, and sacred sound.
The verse highlights a complete devotional atmosphere: heartfelt praise through song and instruments, and scriptural sanctification through Vedic recitation—both centered on welcoming and honoring Kṛṣṇa.
Approach God with conscious respect: include sacred sound (kīrtana, mantra, scripture recitation), cultivate humility, and remember that the Lord is the inner life of all beings—so devotion should be heartfelt and disciplined.