Shloka 68
Uddhava Meets the Gopīs: Bhramara-gītā and Kṛṣṇa’s Message of Separation
एवं सभाजितो गोपै: कृष्णभक्त्या नराधिप । उद्धव: पुनरागच्छन्मथुरां कृष्णपालिताम् ॥ ६८ ॥
evaṁ sabhājito gopaiḥ kṛṣṇa-bhaktyā narādhipa uddhavaḥ punar āgacchan mathurāṁ kṛṣṇa-pālitām
Wahai pemerintah manusia, demikianlah para gembala memuliakan Uddhava dengan bhakti kepada Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Lalu Uddhava kembali ke kota Mathurā yang berada di bawah perlindungan Kṛṣṇa.
The word kṛṣṇa-pālitām indicates that even though Uddhava became quite attached to the land of Vṛndāvana, he returned to Mathurā because Śrī Kṛṣṇa was personally displaying His transcendental pastimes there.
FAQs
This verse highlights that the gopas honored Uddhava specifically through their Kṛṣṇa-bhakti—showing that devotion to Kṛṣṇa naturally expresses itself as humility, hospitality, and reverence toward His dear devotees.
After being received and honored by the gopas in Vraja, Uddhava completed his mission and returned to Mathurā—described here as the city protected by Kṛṣṇa—continuing the narrative of Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes and governance there.
Honor devotees and guests with genuine devotion, and remember that true bhakti is shown through respectful conduct—seeing Kṛṣṇa’s protection and presence behind the places and duties of life.