Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 41
Devas in Dvārakā, Brahmā’s Petition, and Uddhava’s Appeal
Prabhāsa Departure Set-Up
तन्निरीक्ष्योद्धवो राजन् श्रुत्वा भगवतोदितम् । दृष्ट्वारिष्टानि घोराणि नित्यं कृष्णमनुव्रत: ॥ ४० ॥ विविक्त उपसङ्गम्य जगतामीश्वरेश्वरम् । प्रणम्य शिरसा पादौ प्राञ्जलिस्तमभाषत ॥ ४१ ॥
tan nirīkṣyoddhavo rājan śrutvā bhagavatoditam dṛṣṭvāriṣṭāni ghorāṇi nityaṁ kṛṣṇam anuvrataḥ
हे राजन्! नित्य श्रीकृष्णाचा अनुव्रत असलेल्या उद्धवाने यादवांचा प्रस्थानाचा संकेत, भगवंतांची आज्ञा आणि भयंकर अपशकुन पाहून, एकांतस्थानी जगताच्या परम नियंत्या प्रभूकडे जाऊन, त्यांच्या चरणकमलांवर मस्तक ठेवून प्रणाम केला व हात जोडून असे म्हणाला।
According to Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī there cannot be any actual disturbance in the Lord’s own abode. The great disasters apparently occurring in Dvārakā were an external show created by the Lord to facilitate His pastimes. We can understand the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa only by hearing from the recognized ācāryas. Lord Kṛṣṇa is not a mundane historical figure, and His activities cannot be confined within the tiny limits of material logic. Lord Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes are an exhibition of His acintya-śakti, or inconceivable potency, which functions according to higher, spiritual laws, unknown to the blind conditioned souls and their petty material logic.
FAQs
This verse shows Uddhava approaching Śrī Kṛṣṇa in a secluded place with humility—bowing to His feet and offering prayers with folded hands—modeling reverent, surrendered bhakti.
After hearing the Lord’s words and seeing fearful omens, Uddhava sought a secluded meeting to speak intimately and respectfully with the Supreme Lord about the grave situation and its implications.
When facing anxiety or uncertainty, approach God with humility, attentiveness, and prayerful respect—seeking guidance rather than reacting impulsively to fear.