Shloka 13
Uddhava Sent to Vraja: Consolation to Nanda-Yaśodā and the Gopīs’ Separation
वासितार्थेऽभियुध्यद्भिर्नादितं शुश्मिभिर्वृषै: । धावन्तीभिश्च वास्राभिरुधोभारै: स्ववत्सकान् ॥ ९ ॥ इतस्ततो विलङ्घद्भिर्गोवत्सैर्मण्डितं सितै: । गोदोहशब्दाभिरवं वेणूनां नि:स्वनेन च ॥ १० ॥ गायन्तीभिश्च कर्माणि शुभानि बलकृष्णयो: । स्वलङ्कृताभिर्गोपीभिर्गोपैश्च सुविराजितम् ॥ ११ ॥ अग्न्यर्कातिथिगोविप्रपितृदेवार्चनान्वितै: । धूपदीपैश्च माल्यैश्च गोपावासैर्मनोरमम् ॥ १२ ॥ सर्वत: पुष्पितवनं द्विजालिकुलनादितम् । हंसकारण्डवाकीर्णै: पद्मषण्डैश्च मण्डितम् ॥ १३ ॥
vāsitārthe ’bhiyudhyadbhir nāditaṁ śuśmibhir vṛṣaiḥ dhāvantībhiś ca vāsrābhir udho-bhāraiḥ sva-vatsakān
Gokula resonaba por todas partes con los sonidos de toros peleando, vacas mugiendo tras sus terneros, el ruido del ordeño y la reverberación de las flautas. Los pastores y pastoras cantaban las auspiciosas hazañas de Kṛṣṇa y Balarāma. Los hogares de los pastores eran encantadores, llenos de parafernalia para adorar al fuego sagrado, al sol, a los invitados, a las vacas, a los brāhmaṇas y a los semidioses. Por todos lados se extendía el bosque florecido, embellecido por lagos llenos de cisnes y lotos.
Although Gokula was merged in grief because of separation from Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Lord expanded His internal potency to cover that particular manifestation of Vraja and allow Uddhava to see the normal bustle and joy of Vraja at sunset.
FAQs
In 10.46.13, Śukadeva describes Vraja as blooming on all sides, alive with birdsong, and ornamented by lotus waters filled with swans and kāraṇḍava ducks—showing the dhāma’s divine, devotional atmosphere.
Because Uddhava is arriving in Vraja to witness the land of Kṛṣṇa’s intimate pastimes; the natural beauty underscores the sacred mood of the dhāma and contrasts with the pain of separation felt by Kṛṣṇa’s devotees there.
Create a devotional environment—through sāttvika surroundings, sacred sound (kīrtana/śravaṇa), and remembrance of Kṛṣṇa—so the mind becomes naturally inclined toward bhakti, like Vraja’s atmosphere supports devotion.