Shloka 1
Uddhava Sent to Vraja: Consolation to Nanda-Yaśodā and the Gopīs’ Separation
श्रीशुक उवाच वृष्णीनां प्रवरो मन्त्री कृष्णस्य दयित: सखा । शिष्यो बृहस्पते: साक्षादुद्धवो बुद्धिसत्तम: ॥ १ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca vṛṣṇīnāṁ pravaro mantrī kṛṣṇasya dayitaḥ sakhā śiṣyo bṛhaspateḥ sākṣād uddhavo buddhi-sattamaḥ
శ్రీశుకదేవ గోస్వామి చెప్పెను—అత్యంత బుద్ధిమంతుడైన ఉద్ధవుడు వృష్ణివంశంలో శ్రేష్ఠ మంత్రి, శ్రీకృష్ణునికి ప్రియ సఖుడు, మరియు సాక్షాత్ బృహస్పతి శిష్యుడు.
The ācāryas give various reasons why Lord Kṛṣṇa sent Uddhava to Vṛndāvana. The Lord had promised the residents of Vṛndāvana: āyāsye, “I shall return.” ( Bhāg. 10.39.35 ) Also, in the previous chapter Lord Kṛṣṇa promised Nanda Mahārāja: draṣṭum eṣyāmaḥ, “We will come back to see you and mother Yaśodā.” ( Bhāg. 10.45.23 ) At the same time, the Lord could not break His promise to Śrī Vasudeva and mother Devakī to finally spend some time with them after they had suffered for so many years. Therefore, the Lord decided to send His intimate representative to Vṛndāvana in His place.
FAQs
Uddhava is Kṛṣṇa’s beloved friend and foremost counselor among the Vṛṣṇis, famed as exceptionally intelligent and trained directly as a disciple of Bṛhaspati.
Because Chapter 46 centers on Uddhava’s mission connected to Kṛṣṇa’s Vraja-līlā, Śukadeva establishes his authority, devotion, and fitness to carry Kṛṣṇa’s message and represent Him.
True excellence combines devotion with wisdom: be loyal and loving like a friend, responsible like a counselor, and grounded in genuine learning—using intelligence in service to the Divine.