Shloka 31
Uddhava’s Departure to Badarikāśrama and Vidura’s Turn Toward Maitreya
नोद्धवोऽण्वपि मन्न्यूनो यद्गुणैर्नार्दित: प्रभु: । अतो मद्वयुनं लोकं ग्राहयन्निह तिष्ठतु ॥ ३१ ॥
noddhavo ’ṇv api man-nyūno yad guṇair nārditaḥ prabhuḥ ato mad-vayunaṁ lokaṁ grāhayann iha tiṣṭhatu
Uddhava is not inferior to Me in the slightest, for the modes of material nature never disturb him. Therefore he should remain in this world to impart specific knowledge of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
The specific qualification for becoming the representative of the Lord is to be unaffected by the material modes of nature. The highest qualification of a person in the material world is to be a brāhmaṇa. But since a brāhmaṇa is in the mode of goodness, to be a brāhmaṇa is not sufficient for becoming a representative of the Lord. One has to transcend the mode of goodness also and be situated in unalloyed goodness, unaffected by any of the qualities of material nature. This stage of transcendental qualification is called śuddha-sattva, or vasudeva, and in this stage the science of God can be realized. As the Lord is not affected by the modes of material nature, so a pure devotee of the Lord is also not affected by the modes of nature. That is the primary qualification for being one with the Lord. A person who is able to attain this transcendental qualification is called jīvan-mukta, or liberated, even though he is apparently in material conditions. This liberation is achieved by one who constantly engages in the transcendental loving service of the Lord. In Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu (1.2.187) it is stated:
FAQs
This verse states that Uddhava is not overpowered by the gunas, showing that a pure devotee, fixed in devotion and service, is not defeated by material influence.
Krishna declares Uddhava fully qualified and empowers him with His authority so that Uddhava can guide and instruct people after Krishna’s departure from earthly pastimes.
Cultivate steady devotion—regular hearing, chanting, and service—so that daily pressures and temptations do not dictate your choices, and you can help others with clarity and compassion.