Shloka 25
Uddhava’s Departure to Badarikāśrama and Vidura’s Turn Toward Maitreya
विदुर उवाच ज्ञानं परं स्वात्मरह:प्रकाशं यदाह योगेश्वर ईश्वरस्ते । वक्तुं भवान्नोऽर्हति यद्धि विष्णो- र्भृत्या: स्वभृत्यार्थकृतश्चरन्ति ॥ २५ ॥
vidura uvāca jñānaṁ paraṁ svātma-rahaḥ-prakāśaṁ yad āha yogeśvara īśvaras te vaktuṁ bhavān no ’rhati yad dhi viṣṇor bhṛtyāḥ sva-bhṛtyārtha-kṛtaś caranti
Vidura said: O Uddhava, please speak to us of that supreme knowledge which illumines the hidden mystery of the self, taught to you directly by your Lord, the master of all yogīs. For the servants of Viṣṇu wander for the welfare of others, intent on service.
The servants of the Lord are actually the servants of society. They have no interest in human society other than to enlighten it in transcendental knowledge; they are interested in imparting knowledge of the relationship of the living being with the Supreme Lord, the activities in that transcendental relationship, and the ultimate goal of human life. That is the real knowledge which can help society achieve the real aim of human welfare. Knowledge in the matter of the bodily necessities of eating, sleeping, mating and fearing, transformed into various branches of advancement of knowledge, is all temporary. A living being is not the material body but an eternal part and parcel of the Supreme Being, and thus revival of his self-knowledge is essential. Without this knowledge, the human life is baffled. The servants of the Lord, Viṣṇu, are entrusted with this responsible work, and so they wander over the earth and to all other planets in the universe. Thus the knowledge which was received by Uddhava directly from the Lord deserves to be distributed in human society, especially to persons like Vidura, who are highly advanced in the devotional service of the Lord.
FAQs
This verse describes the highest knowledge as self-luminous and revealing the profound mystery of the self, originally spoken by the Supreme Lord (the master of yogīs).
Vidura considers Maitreya qualified because he is connected to the Lord’s teachings, and because Vaiṣṇavas travel and speak for the welfare of those who seek guidance.
Seek spiritual instruction from genuine devotees and cultivate service-mindedness—using knowledge not for ego, but to benefit others and deepen remembrance of the Lord.