Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 42
Devas in Dvārakā, Brahmā’s Petition, and Uddhava’s Appeal
Prabhāsa Departure Set-Up
श्रीउद्धव उवाच देवदेवेश योगेश पुण्यश्रवणकीर्तन । संहृत्यैतत् कुलं नूनं लोकं सन्त्यक्ष्यते भवान् । विप्रशापं समर्थोऽपि प्रत्यहन्न यदीश्वर: ॥ ४२ ॥
śrī-uddhava uvāca deva-deveśa yogeśa puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtana saṁhṛtyaitat kulaṁ nūnaṁ lokaṁ santyakṣyate bhavān vipra-śāpaṁ samartho ’pi pratyahan na yad īśvaraḥ
Sinabi ni Śrī Uddhava: O Devadeveśa, O Yogeśa, ang pakikinig at pag-awit ng Iyong banal na kaluwalhatian ay siyang tunay na kabanalan. Panginoon ko, wari’y ngayon ay babawiin Mo ang angkang ito at wawakasan ang Iyong mga līlā sa sansinukob. Ikaw ang Kataas-taasang Tagapamahala at Panginoon ng lahat ng yoga-śakti; subalit bagama’t kaya Mong pawiin ang sumpa ng mga brāhmaṇa laban sa Iyong dinastiya, hindi Mo ito hinahadlangan—kaya nalalapit na ang Iyong paglalaho.
As previously mentioned, Kṛṣṇa’s own dynasty can never be destroyed; therefore the word saṁhṛtya means that Kṛṣṇa was taking the Yādavas with Him as He left this material world. However, in the eyes of ordinary, unenlightened persons the withdrawal of the Yadu dynasty appears to be its destruction. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura has very nicely explained the statement of Uddhava as follows.
FAQs
Uddhava notes that Kṛṣṇa had the power to stop it, yet did not—implying the curse served the Lord’s own purpose of withdrawing the Yadu dynasty and preparing for His departure from the world.
Seeing signs that the Lord intended to wind up His earthly pastimes, Uddhava questioned why the destruction of the Lord’s own dynasty was allowed to proceed through a brāhmaṇas’ curse.
Even when one has ability, higher principles and divine timing may govern outcomes; the verse also emphasizes that hearing and chanting the Lord’s glories is inherently purifying amid life’s upheavals.