Shloka 10
Uddhava’s Departure to Badarikāśrama and Vidura’s Turn Toward Maitreya
तस्यानुरक्तस्य मुनेर्मुकुन्द: प्रमोदभावानतकन्धरस्य । आशृण्वतो मामनुरागहास- समीक्षया विश्रमयन्नुवाच ॥ १० ॥
tasyānuraktasya muner mukundaḥ pramoda-bhāvānata-kandharasya āśṛṇvato mām anurāga-hāsa- samīkṣayā viśramayann uvāca
Maitreya Muni was deeply attached to Him and listened with a pleased demeanor, his shoulder lowered in humility. Then Lord Mukunda, with an affectionate smile and a particular glance toward me, granted me rest and spoke as follows.
Although both Uddhava and Maitreya were great souls, the Lord’s attention was more on Uddhava because he was a spotlessly pure devotee. A jñāna-bhakta, or one whose devotion is mixed with the monistic viewpoint, is not a pure devotee. Although Maitreya was a devotee, his devotion was mixed. The Lord reciprocates with His devotees on the basis of transcendental love and not on the basis of philosophical knowledge or fruitive activities. In the transcendental loving service of the Lord, there is no place for monistic knowledge or fruitive activities. The gopīs in Vṛndāvana were neither highly learned scholars nor mystic yogīs. They had spontaneous love for the Lord, and thus He became their heart and soul, and the gopīs also became the heart and soul of the Lord. Lord Caitanya approved the relationship of the gopīs with the Lord as supreme. Herein the Lord’s attitude towards Uddhava was more intimate than with Maitreya Muni.
FAQs
This verse shows the Lord (Mukunda) responds to sincere devotion with affectionate attention—an encouraging glance and reassuring presence—before instructing the devotee.
Maitreya was absorbed in devotion and humility; the Lord’s affectionate smile and glance served to comfort and steady him, preparing him to receive divine speech.
Approach spiritual learning with genuine receptivity and humility; devotional sincerity invites clarity, calmness, and deeper understanding when receiving guidance.