Shloka 11
Vidura’s Return; Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Departure; Nārada’s Instruction on Kāla and Detachment
अपि न: सुहृदस्तात बान्धवा: कृष्णदेवता: । दृष्टा: श्रुता वा यदव: स्वपुर्यां सुखमासते ॥ ११ ॥
api naḥ suhṛdas tāta bāndhavāḥ kṛṣṇa-devatāḥ dṛṣṭāḥ śrutā vā yadavaḥ sva-puryāṁ sukham āsate
My uncle, did you see—or at least hear of—our friends and kinsmen, the Yadus who worship Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa as their very Deity, in their own city of Dvārakā? Are they all living happily in their homes?
The particular word kṛṣṇa-devatāḥ, i.e., those who are always rapt in the service of Lord Kṛṣṇa, is significant. The Yādavas and the Pāṇḍavas, who were always rapt in the thought of the Lord Kṛṣṇa and His different transcendental activities, were all pure devotees of the Lord like Vidura. Vidura left home in order to devote himself completely to the service of the Lord, but the Pāṇḍavas and the Yādavas were always rapt in the thought of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Thus there is no difference in their pure devotional qualities. Either remaining at home or leaving home, the real qualification of a pure devotee is to become rapt in the thought of Kṛṣṇa favorably, i.e., knowing well that Lord Kṛṣṇa is the Absolute Personality of Godhead. Kaṁsa, Jarāsandha, Śiśupāla and other demons like them were also always rapt in the thought of Lord Kṛṣṇa, but they were absorbed in a different way, namely unfavorably, or thinking Him to be a powerful man only. Therefore, Kaṁsa and Śiśupāla are not on the same level as pure devotees like Vidura, the Pāṇḍavas and the Yādavas.
FAQs
It shows Yudhishthira’s anxious, affectionate inquiry about the Yadavas—Kṛṣṇa-centered devotees—asking whether they are safe and happy in their own city, Dvārakā.
Vidura had been traveling, so Yudhishthira hoped he had news of their relatives in Dvārakā; his question also reflects a devotee’s natural concern for the welfare of Kṛṣṇa’s associates.
It encourages caring inquiry about fellow devotees, keeping Kṛṣṇa at the center of relationships, and valuing spiritual community as part of one’s dharma.