Vidura Leaves Hastināpura and Meets Uddhava
Vidura’s Tīrtha-yātrā Begins
कच्चिद्वरूथाधिपतिर्यदूनां प्रद्युम्न आस्ते सुखमङ्ग वीर: । यं रुक्मिणी भगवतोऽभिलेभे आराध्य विप्रान् स्मरमादिसर्गे ॥ २८ ॥
kaccid varūthādhipatir yadūnāṁ pradyumna āste sukham aṅga vīraḥ yaṁ rukmiṇī bhagavato ’bhilebhe ārādhya viprān smaram ādi-sarge
优陀婆啊,请告知:雅度族的统帅、英勇的普拉丢姆那可安好?他在最初的创造中曾为斯摩罗(爱神迦摩);鲁克米妮因虔敬供奉婆罗门而得其恩典,从至上主圣克里希纳处得他为子。
According to Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī, Smara (Cupid, or Kāmadeva) is one of the eternal associates of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Jīva Gosvāmī has explained this very elaborately in his treatise Kṛṣṇa-sandarbha.
In this verse, Pradyumna is described as the varūthādhipati—the military commander of the Yadus—and as the son of Bhagavān (Śrī Kṛṣṇa) obtained by Rukmiṇī. The verse highlights both his royal role and his divine identity connected with Smara (Cupid).
Vidura is inquiring from Uddhava about the well-being of Kṛṣṇa’s relatives and associates in Dvārakā. Asking about Pradyumna specifically shows Vidura’s concern for the Yadu leaders and Kṛṣṇa’s family after major events in the Lord’s pastimes.
It emphasizes honoring and pleasing saintly brāhmaṇas and devotees (viprān ārādhya) and valuing dharmic leadership—strength guided by devotion and proper conduct.