Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 27
Bondage and Liberation Under Māyā; Two Birds Analogy; Marks of the Saintly Devotee
श्रीउद्धव उवाच साधुस्तवोत्तमश्लोक मत: कीदृग्विध: प्रभो । भक्तिस्त्वय्युपयुज्येत कीदृशी सद्भिरादृता ॥ २६ ॥ एतन्मे पुरुषाध्यक्ष लोकाध्यक्ष जगत्प्रभो । प्रणतायानुरक्ताय प्रपन्नाय च कथ्यताम् ॥ २७ ॥
śrī-uddhava uvāca sādhus tavottama-śloka mataḥ kīdṛg-vidhaḥ prabho bhaktis tvayy upayujyeta kīdṛśī sadbhir ādṛtā
Ô Souverain des êtres, Maître des maîtres et Seigneur de l’univers, je me prosterne, plein d’amour, et je me réfugie entièrement en Toi ; daigne m’expliquer cela.
In the previous verse it was stated that one can achieve the Lord’s supreme abode by associating with devotees. Therefore, Uddhava naturally inquires about the symptoms of a distinguished devotee whose association can promote one to the kingdom of God. Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī notes that the Personality of Godhead knows who is actually a sincere devotee because the Lord is always attached to His loving servitors. Similarly, pure devotees can expertly explain the proper methods of devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa because they are already absorbed in love of Kṛṣṇa. Uddhava herein requests Lord Kṛṣṇa to describe the qualities of a devotee and asks the Lord to explain the devotional service that the devotees themselves approve as worthy to be offered to the Lord.
FAQs
In this verse Uddhava approaches Kṛṣṇa as the Lord of all worlds and asks to be taught as one who is bowed down, lovingly attached, and fully surrendered—showing that genuine surrender is a humble, devoted request to receive the Lord’s guidance.
Uddhava, Kṛṣṇa’s intimate devotee, seeks clear instruction about spiritual principles and the nature of saintly devotion; he frames his question with humility and surrender, establishing the proper mood for receiving transcendental knowledge.
Approach spiritual practice with teachability: admit limitations, seek authentic guidance, and align daily choices with devotion—replacing ego-driven control with sincere dependence on the Lord’s direction.