Shloka 28
Parīkṣit’s Questions and the Prelude to Kṛṣṇa’s Advent
Earth’s Burden, Viṣṇu’s Order, and Kaṁsa’s Fear
राजधानी तत: साभूत्सर्वयादवभूभुजाम् । मथुरा भगवान् यत्र नित्यं सन्निहितो हरि: ॥ २८ ॥
rājadhānī tataḥ sābhūt sarva-yādava-bhūbhujām mathurā bhagavān yatra nityaṁ sannihito hariḥ
അന്നുമുതൽ മഥുര സർവ്വ യാദവരാജാക്കന്മാരുടെയും തലസ്ഥാനമായി. ഭഗവാൻ ഹരി ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണൻ അവിടെ നിത്യസന്നിഹിതനായി വസിക്കുന്നതിനാൽ മഥുരാനഗരവും അതിന്റെ പ്രദേശവും അവനോടു അത്യന്തം അടുപ്പമുള്ള ബന്ധത്തിലാണ്.
It is understood that Mathurā City is the transcendental abode of Lord Kṛṣṇa; it is not an ordinary material city, for it is eternally connected with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Vṛndāvana is within the jurisdiction of Mathurā, and it still continues to exist. Because Mathurā and Vṛndāvana are intimately connected with Kṛṣṇa eternally, it is said that Lord Kṛṣṇa never leaves Vṛndāvana ( vṛndāvanaṁ parityajya padam ekaṁ na gacchati ). At present, the place known as Vṛndāvana, in the district of Mathurā, continues its position as a transcendental place, and certainly anyone who goes there becomes transcendentally purified. Navadvīpa-dhāma is also intimately connected with Vrajabhūmi. Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura therefore says:
FAQs
This verse states that Mathurā became the capital of the Yādava rulers because Lord Hari is eternally present there, making it uniquely sacred and central to Kṛṣṇa-līlā.
In the narrative setting of Canto 10, Śukadeva highlights Mathurā’s prominence among the Yādavas and emphasizes its spiritual supremacy due to the Lord’s constant presence.
By honoring holy places connected to the Lord—through remembrance, study, pilgrimage, and devotion—one can keep Kṛṣṇa at the center of life, just as Mathurā is centered on His presence.