Shloka 25
Vidura Leaves Hastināpura and Meets Uddhava
Vidura’s Tīrtha-yātrā Begins
स वासुदेवानुचरं प्रशान्तं बृहस्पते: प्राक् तनयं प्रतीतम् । आलिङ्ग्य गाढं प्रणयेन भद्रं स्वानामपृच्छद्भगवत्प्रजानाम् ॥ २५ ॥
sa vāsudevānucaraṁ praśāntaṁ bṛhaspateḥ prāk tanayaṁ pratītam āliṅgya gāḍhaṁ praṇayena bhadraṁ svānām apṛcchad bhagavat-prajānām
Then Vidura, overcome with deep affection, embraced Uddhava—peaceful and ever the companion of Vāsudeva, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, and formerly renowned as a disciple of Bṛhaspati—and inquired about the welfare of the Lord’s own family.
Vidura was older than Uddhava, like a father, and therefore when the two met, Uddhava bowed down before Vidura, and Vidura embraced him because Uddhava was younger, like a son. Vidura’s brother Pāṇḍu was Lord Kṛṣṇa’s uncle, and Uddhava was a cousin to Lord Kṛṣṇa. According to social custom, therefore, Vidura was to be respected by Uddhava on the level of his father. Uddhava was a great scholar in logic, and he was known to be a son or disciple of Bṛhaspati, the greatly learned priest and spiritual master of the demigods. Vidura asked Uddhava about the welfare of his relatives, although he already knew that they were no longer in the world. This inquiry appears to be very queer, but Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī states that the news was shocking to Vidura, who therefore inquired again due to great curiosity. Thus his inquiry was psychological and not practical.
FAQs
This verse highlights a devotee as vāsudevānucara (a dedicated follower of Vāsudeva) and praśānta (peaceful and self-controlled), indicating devotion expressed through serenity and saintly conduct.
Vidura recognized Maitreya as an exalted, well-known saint and devotee; after greeting him with affection, Vidura naturally approached him for reliable news and guidance concerning the Lord’s devotees and his own people.
Seek guidance from genuinely peaceful, God-centered teachers; approach them with humility and affection, and ask sincere questions that deepen devotion and clarity rather than mere curiosity.