Shloka 17
Uddhava’s Departure to Badarikāśrama and Vidura’s Turn Toward Maitreya
मन्त्रेषु मां वा उपहूय यत्त्व- मकुण्ठिताखण्डसदात्मबोध: । पृच्छे: प्रभो मुग्ध इवाप्रमत्त- स्तन्नो मनो मोहयतीव देव ॥ १७ ॥
mantreṣu māṁ vā upahūya yat tvam akuṇṭhitākhaṇḍa-sadātma-bodhaḥ pṛccheḥ prabho mugdha ivāpramattas tan no mano mohayatīva deva
O my Lord, Your eternal Self is never divided by time, and Your perfect knowledge has no limit. Yet You called me for counsel and questioned me as if bewildered, though You are never bewildered. O Deva, this act of Yours bewilders my mind.
Uddhava was never actually bewildered, but he says that all these contradictions appear to be bewildering. The whole discussion between Kṛṣṇa and Uddhava was meant for the benefit of Maitreya, who was sitting nearby. The Lord used to call Uddhava for consultation when the city was attacked by Jarāsandha and others and when He executed great sacrifices as part of His routine royal work as Lord of Dvārakā. The Lord has no past, present and future because He is unhampered by the influence of eternal time and thus nothing is hidden from Him. He is eternally self-intelligent. Therefore His calling for Uddhava to give Him enlightenment is certainly astonishing. All these actions of the Lord appear to be contradictory, although there is no contradiction in the routine activities of the Lord. Therefore it is better to see them as they are and not attempt to explain them.
FAQs
This verse highlights the Lord’s līlā: though He has unobstructed, complete self-knowledge, He may inquire or consult to teach dharma, honor devotees, and delight in relational exchanges.
In context, Vidura is reflecting on the Lord’s wondrous behavior—acting like an ordinary person while remaining fully aware—showing how divine actions can appear paradoxical to conditioned minds.
It encourages humility: even the greatest can ask questions and seek counsel; sincere inquiry is not weakness but a way to uplift others and deepen understanding.