Shloka 30
Kṛṣṇa’s Impending Departure; Uddhava’s Surrender; King Yadu and the Avadhūta’s Twenty-Four Gurus
Beginnings
त्वं हि न: पृच्छतां ब्रह्मन्नात्मन्यानन्दकारणम् । ब्रूहि स्पर्शविहीनस्य भवत: केवलात्मन: ॥ ३० ॥
tvaṁ hi naḥ pṛcchatāṁ brahmann ātmany ānanda-kāraṇam brūhi sparśa-vihīnasya bhavataḥ kevalātmanaḥ
ఓ బ్రాహ్మణా! నీవు భౌతిక భోగస్పర్శం లేని వాడవు, కేవలాత్మగా ఒంటరిగా సంచరిస్తున్నావని మేము చూస్తున్నాం. కాబట్టి మనస్ఫూర్తిగా అడుగుతున్నాం—నీ అంతరంలో ఉప్పొంగే మహానందానికి కారణం చెప్పు।
The word kevalātmanaḥ is significant here. Unless one has practical realization of the Supreme Soul and the individual soul, who reside together within the heart of every living being, it is very difficult to artificially adopt the sannyāsa order of life and travel without the association of wife, children or other family members. The nature of every living being is to make friends with others and to offer his love to a suitable person. One who has realized the Supreme Person is satisfied to always carry the Personality of Godhead within his heart as his constant companion. Unless one has realized that Kṛṣṇa is one’s only true friend and that Kṛṣṇa is within one’s heart, one will remain attached to the temporary relationships of the material world.
FAQs
This verse asks for the secret of inner bliss (ānanda) that arises in the self, independent of sense-contact (sparśa), indicating that real happiness is rooted in spiritual realization rather than external stimulation.
Seeing the Avadhūta’s serene joy despite being free from worldly enjoyments, Yadu inquired how such happiness is possible for one untouched by sensory contact and situated in pure selfhood.
Reduce dependence on constant sensory stimulation and cultivate inward practices—reflection, disciplined living, and devotion—so that contentment comes from inner steadiness rather than external triggers.