Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 44
Bhakti as the Easy and Supreme Yoga: Seeing Kṛṣṇa in All and Uddhava’s Departure to Badarikāśrama
श्रीभगवानुवाच गच्छोद्धव मयादिष्टो बदर्याख्यं ममाश्रमम् । तत्र मत्पादतीर्थोदे स्नानोपस्पर्शनै: शुचि: ॥ ४१ ॥ ईक्षयालकनन्दाया विधूताशेषकल्मष: । वसानो वल्कलान्यङ्ग वन्यभुक् सुखनि:स्पृह: ॥ ४२ ॥ तितिक्षुर्द्वन्द्वमात्राणां सुशील: संयतेन्द्रिय: । शान्त: समाहितधिया ज्ञानविज्ञानसंयुत: ॥ ४३ ॥ मत्तोऽनुशिक्षितं यत्ते विविक्तमनुभावयन् । मय्यावेशितवाक्चित्तो मद्धर्मनिरतो भव । अतिव्रज्य गतीस्तिस्रो मामेष्यसि तत: परम् ॥ ४४ ॥
śrī-bhagavān uvāca gacchoddhava mayādiṣṭo badary-ākhyaṁ mamāśramam tatra mat-pāda-tīrthode snānopasparśanaiḥ śuciḥ
The Supreme Lord said: “My dear Uddhava, accept My command and go to My āśrama called Badarikā. There, purify yourself by touching and bathing in the sacred waters that have flowed from My lotus feet. By beholding the holy Alakanandā, all sin and impurity will be washed away. Wear bark garments, eat what the forest naturally provides, and remain content and free from desire. Be tolerant of dualities, gentle in conduct, self-controlled, peaceful, and endowed with spiritual knowledge and realized wisdom. With steady attention, meditate on the essence of the instructions I have given you; fix your words and mind upon Me and be devoted to My dharma. Thus you will transcend the destinations of the three guṇas and, in the end, come back to Me.”
FAQs
It says that by contemplating Kṛṣṇa’s teachings in solitude, keeping one’s speech and mind absorbed in Him, and living by His dharma, one transcends material destinations and attains Him directly.
Kṛṣṇa is giving Uddhava final guidance as He prepares to conclude His manifest pastimes, instructing him in the inner practice of bhakti—deep reflection, absorption, and steadfast devotional conduct—leading to the Lord’s abode.
Center your daily speech in sādhana—chanting, prayer, and truthful, devotional conversation—and train the mind through regular study of Bhagavatam, remembrance of Kṛṣṇa, and minimizing distractions, so your attention naturally returns to Him.