Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 16
Sādhu-saṅga, the Gopīs’ Prema, and the Veda’s Culmination in Exclusive Surrender
श्रीउद्धव उवाच संशय: शृण्वतो वाचं तव योगेश्वरेश्वर । न निवर्तत आत्मस्थो येन भ्राम्यति मे मन: ॥ १६ ॥
śrī-uddhava uvāca saṁśayaḥ śṛṇvato vācaṁ tava yogeśvareśvara na nivartata ātma-stho yena bhrāmyati me manaḥ
ສຣີ ອຸດທະວະ ກ່າວວ່າ: ໂອ ພຣະເຈົ້າແຫ່ງພຣະເຈົ້າຂອງຜູ້ມີິດໂຍຄະທັງປວງ! ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄດ້ຟັງພຣະວາຈາຂອງພຣະອົງແລ້ວ ແຕ່ຄວາມສົງໄສໃນໃຈຍັງບໍ່ຫາຍ; ດັ່ງນັ້ນຈິດຂອງຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຈຶ່ງສັບສົນ।
In the first verse of the Tenth Chapter of this canto, the Lord stated that one should take shelter of Him and execute one’s duties within the varṇāśrama system without material desire. Uddhava interpreted this statement as recommending karma-miśrā bhakti, or devotional service mixed with a tendency toward fruitive activities. It is a fact that until one understands Lord Kṛṣṇa to be everything, it is not possible to retire from ordinary, worldly duties. Rather, one is encouraged to offer the fruits of such work to the Lord. In verse 4 of the Tenth Chapter, the Lord recommended that one retire from worldly duties and systematically cultivate knowledge, accepting Him as the Supreme. Uddhava understood this instruction to indicate jñāna-miśrā bhakti, or devotional service to the Lord mixed with the secondary desire to accumulate knowledge. Beginning with verse 35 of the Tenth Chapter, Uddhava inquired about the process of material conditioning and liberation from material life. The Lord replied elaborately, stating that without devotional service the process of philosophical speculation can never be perfected. In Chapter Eleven, verse 18, the Lord emphasized the importance of faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and in verse 23 Kṛṣṇa extensively widened His discussion of devotional service, emphasizing that one should be faithful and hear and chant the glories of the Lord. The Lord concluded that both the development and perfection of devotional service depend on association with the devotees. In verse 26 of the Eleventh Chapter, Uddhava inquired about the actual ways and means of devotional service and about the symptoms of devotional perfection. And in verse 48 Lord Kṛṣṇa stated that unless one takes to the process of devotional service, one’s attempt for liberation will be useless. One must associate with the devotees of the Lord and follow in their footsteps. Finally, in verse 14 of this chapter the Lord categorically rejected the paths of fruitive activities and mental speculation and in verse 15 recommended that one exclusively surrender unto Him with all one’s heart.
FAQs
This verse shows that doubt can persist even while hearing divine instruction; Uddhava admits the doubt remains within the heart and causes mental restlessness, prompting deeper clarification from the Lord.
Uddhava is seeking precise understanding: although he is hearing Kṛṣṇa’s words, an inner doubt still lingers and distracts his mind, so he honestly presents his condition to receive a clearer, conclusive teaching.
Be truthful about inner confusion: when the mind keeps wandering, identify the underlying doubt and seek clarification through sincere inquiry, steady hearing, and guidance from authentic scripture and teachers.