Kṛṣṇa and Uddhava - The Confidential Relationship
Among the eternal associates of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Uddhava holds a unique and exalted position. Described by Śrīla Prabhupāda as the cousin and confidential friend of Lord Kṛṣṇa, Uddhava's bodily features so closely resembled Kṛṣṇa's that he could be mistaken for the Lord Himself. Throughout the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, their relationship unfolds through various pastimes—from political strategy in Dvārakā to the heart-wrenching messages of separation in Vṛndāvana. Śrīla Prabhupāda uses the interactions between Kṛṣṇa and Uddhava to teach the highest truths of bhakti, culminating in the realization that pure love for Kṛṣṇa supersedes all other forms of knowledge and renunciation.
The Confidential Counselor
Although Lord Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and possesses all knowledge, He often played the role of a human king who consults with his ministers. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa had implicit faith in Uddhava's intelligence and diplomacy. A prime example occurred when the Lord asked for advice on how to simultaneously attend Yudhiṣṭhira's Rājasūya sacrifice and defeat the demoniac King Jarāsandha. Uddhava's counsel—to kill Jarāsandha first—was accepted by the Lord as the perfect solution.
- Krsna said to Uddhava, "I believe that you understand the whole situation perfectly. Therefore I am asking your opinion. What should I do? I have faith in you, and therefore I shall do whatever you advise."
- Uddhava said, "I think that if we can somehow or other gain victory over Jarasandha, all our purposes will automatically be served."
- He (Uddhava) was a great friend of Krsna's, and being the direct student of Brhaspati, the teacher and priest of the heavenly planets, he was very intelligent and sharp in decision.
- In order to pacify them (Krsna's associates), Krsna smilingly said to Uddhava, "My dear Uddhava, you are always My well-wishing confidential friend. I therefore wish to see everything through you because I believe that your counsel is always right."
The Messenger to Vṛndāvana
Perhaps the most significant episode in their relationship was Kṛṣṇa's decision to send Uddhava to Vṛndāvana. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that Kṛṣṇa wanted Uddhava—who was a jñānī-bhakta aware of the Lord's opulence—to witness the spontaneous love of the residents of Vraja. Carrying a message to pacify Nanda Mahārāja, Yaśodā, and the gopīs, Uddhava arrived in Vṛndāvana and was astounded by the atmosphere of intense separation from Kṛṣṇa.
- After Krsna returned from His teacher's home, He was pleased to see Uddhava, who happened to be His dearmost friend. Krsna wanted to send him to Vrndavana with a message to the residents to pacify their deep feelings of separation.
- Krsna, being his very loving friend, wanted to send him to Vrndavana just to study the highly elevated ecstatic devotional service practiced there.
- Nanda continued, "My dear Uddhava, when we think of Krsna's beautiful face and eyes and His different activities here in Vrndavana, we become so overwhelmed that all our activities cease."
- When the gopis saw Uddhava, they observed that his features almost exactly resembled those of Krsna, and they could understand that he was a great devotee of Krsna's.
Appreciation of the Gopīs' Love
Upon seeing the madness of the gopīs in their separation from Kṛṣṇa, Uddhava's pride in his own wisdom and position vanished. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Uddhava realized the gopīs possessed the highest form of devotion, which was inaccessible even to Brahmā. Overwhelmed by their spiritual perfection, Uddhava prayed to take birth as a clump of grass or a creeper in Vṛndāvana, simply to catch the dust from the gopīs' feet. This prayer is a cornerstone of Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava philosophy, establishing the supremacy of parakīyā-rasa (paramour love).
- Observing the unalloyed devotion and love of the gopis for Krsna, Uddhava desired to become a creeper, a blade of grass or an herb in Vrndavana so that sometimes the gopis would trample him and he would receive the dust of their lotus feet on his head.
- The pure love of the gopis has become celebrated by the name 'lust.' The dear devotees of the Lord Krsna, headed by Sri Uddhava, desire to taste that love.
- He (Uddhava) continued, "My dear gopis, the mentality you have developed in relationship with Krsna is very, very difficult to attain, even for great sages and saintly persons. You have attained the highest perfectional stage of life."
- Uddhava appreciated the extraordinary fortune of the gopis, who were relieved of all material pangs and anxieties by placing on their beautiful high breasts the lotus feet of Krsna.
The Final Instruction (Uddhava-gītā)
Before Lord Kṛṣṇa wound up His earthly pastimes, He imparted His final instructions to Uddhava, a dialogue known as the Uddhava-gītā. In these teachings, Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that Kṛṣṇa categorically rejected the paths of mechanical yoga, philosophical speculation (jñāna), and fruitive work (karma) as means to attain Him. Kṛṣṇa emphasized that He is captured only by unalloyed devotional service (bhakti).
- Krsna said to Uddhava, "you may know it from Me, the attraction I feel for devotional service rendered by My devotees is not to be attained even by the performance of mystic yoga, philosophical speculation, ritualistic sacrifices, the study of Vedanta."
- Krsna explains to Uddhava that the mechanical process of speculative knowledge and yoga is not necessary for advancing in devotional service.
- Krsna said to Uddhava, "My dear Uddhava, devotional service unto Me is just like a blazing fire which can burn into ashes unlimited fuel supplied to it."
- Uddhava continued, "Whatever is already being experienced, whatever is not being experienced, whatever already exists, does not exist or will exist in the future, whatever is the smallest and whatever is the biggest have no existence outside the Supreme Personality of Godhead."
Separation and Enlightenment
When Kṛṣṇa decided to leave this world, He advised Uddhava to go to Badarikāśrama. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Uddhava was the only one qualified to replace Kṛṣṇa as the teacher of the Absolute Truth. Although the pain of separation was unbearable, Uddhava followed the Lord's order to remain behind to enlighten the sages, specifically Vidura. Their meeting on the bank of the Yamunā is a poignant scene where Uddhava, overwhelmed with ecstasy, narrates the Lord's pastimes.
- Now I shall leave the vision of this mundane world, and I see that Uddhava, the foremost of My devotees, is the only one who can be directly entrusted with knowledge about Me.
- Uddhava's separation from the Lord was unbearable, and therefore he started to Badarikasrama in obedience to the Lord's order because the order of the Lord and the Lord Himself are identical.
- On the inquiry by Vidura about Krsna, Uddhava appeared to be awakened from slumber. He appeared to regret that he had forgotten the lotus feet of the Lord.
- One cannot know the Supreme Lord unless one is graced by the Lord Himself. Lord Krsna exhibited this specific mercy towards Arjuna and Uddhava while He was in the material world.
Conclusion
The journey of Uddhava—from a wise counselor in the opulent city of Dvārakā to an ecstatic devotee praying for the dust of Vṛndāvana—illustrates the progression of devotional service. Śrīla Prabhupāda uses Uddhava's life to demonstrate that while knowledge of Kṛṣṇa's greatness is valuable, the spontaneous love of the gopīs is the highest perfection. By studying the confidential relationship between Kṛṣṇa and Uddhava, the devotee learns that the ultimate goal is not just to know God, but to love Him with intense, unmotivated affection.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Krsna and Uddhava. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.