Shloka 18
Vidura Leaves Hastināpura and Meets Uddhava
Vidura’s Tīrtha-yātrā Begins
पुरेषु पुण्योपवनाद्रिकुञ्जे- ष्वपङ्कतोयेषु सरित्सर:सु । अनन्तलिङ्गै: समलङ्कृतेषु चचार तीर्थायतनेष्वनन्य: ॥ १८ ॥
pureṣu puṇyopavanādri-kuñjeṣv apaṅka-toyeṣu sarit-saraḥsu ananta-liṅgaiḥ samalaṅkṛteṣu cacāra tīrthāyataneṣv ananyaḥ
He traveled alone, with single-minded devotion, remembering only Kṛṣṇa, through sacred cities, holy groves and mountain retreats, along rivers and lakes whose waters were pure and unstained. In those pilgrimage sanctuaries, the many forms of the Unlimited Lord adorned the temples.
These arcā forms of the Lord may be considered idols by the atheists, but that does not matter for persons like Vidura or His many other servants. The forms of the Lord are mentioned here as ananta-liṅga. Such forms of the Lord have unlimited potency, the same as that of the Lord Himself. There is no difference between the potencies of the arcā and those of the personal forms of the Lord. The example of the postbox and post office may be applied here. The little postboxes distributed all over the city have the same potency as the postal system in general. The duty of the post office is to carry letters from one place to another. If one puts letters in postboxes authorized by the general post office, the function of carrying letters is performed without a doubt. Similarly, the arcā-mūrti can also deliver the same unlimited potency of the Lord as when He is personally present. Vidura, therefore, could see nothing but Kṛṣṇa in the different arcā forms, and ultimately he was able to realize Kṛṣṇa alone and nothing else.
FAQs
This verse describes a devoted saint wandering through tīrthas—holy cities, rivers, lakes, and groves—seeing them as sanctuaries beautified by the Lord’s limitless signs and manifestations, making pilgrimage an act of remembrance and devotion.
Vidura’s pilgrimage is portrayed as exclusive devotion—his purpose is not tourism or prestige, but focused spiritual seeking, moving from sacred place to sacred place with undistracted remembrance of the Supreme Lord.
Approach sacred travel—or any spiritual practice—with clear intention: seek purity, keep good association, and use holy environments (temples, riversides, retreats) to deepen steady, single-pointed devotion rather than distraction.