Uddhava’s Departure to Badarikāśrama and Vidura’s Turn Toward Maitreya
सोऽहं तद्दर्शनाह्लादवियोगार्तियुत: प्रभो । गमिष्ये दयितं तस्य बदर्याश्रममण्डलम् ॥ २१ ॥
so ’haṁ tad-darśanāhlāda- viyogārti-yutaḥ prabho gamiṣye dayitaṁ tasya badaryāśrama-maṇḍalam
亲爱的毗度罗啊,因失去见祂的喜悦,我被离别之痛所煎熬;为稍解此苦,依祂的指示,我正前往喜马拉雅的跋陀利迦修行林(Badarikāśrama)求得相伴。
A pure devotee of the Lord of the standard of Uddhava constantly associates with the Lord in the double perception of simultaneous separation and meeting. The pure devotee is not for a moment unengaged in the transcendental service of the Lord. Execution of the Lord’s service is the main occupation of the pure devotee. Uddhava’s separation from the Lord was unbearable, and therefore he started to Badarikāśrama in obedience to the Lord’s order because the order of the Lord and the Lord Himself are identical. As long as one is engaged in the execution of the order of the Lord, there is no factual separation from Him.
This verse shows that a devotee may feel intense distress in Krishna’s absence, yet simultaneously experience deep joy from remembrance of having seen Him—both emotions nourishing devotion.
Having met the Lord and then feeling the pain of separation, Vidura turns toward the Lord’s beloved sacred region, Badaryāśrama, to seek spiritual shelter and further divine association.
When devotional inspiration arises—through darśana, study, or prayer—channel it into steady practice and holy association, and use feelings of longing as fuel for deeper remembrance and discipline.