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Skandha 11, adhyaya 6 · Saptah day 7
When Brahma and Shiva report that the Lord's work on earth is done, Uddhava enters Krishna's room alone and begs not to be left behind.
One hundred and twenty-five years had passed since Krishna's midnight birth in Mathura (`11.6.25`), and the sages' curse upon the Yadu princes at Pindaraka stood ready to bear fruit. At that juncture in Chapter 6 of the Eleventh Skandha (`11.6.1-6`), a celestial host descended into the sky above Dvaraka: **Lord Brahma** accompanied by his four mind-born sons (**Sanaka** and the Kumaras), **Lord Shiva** with his consort Bhavani and his attendants, **Indra** with the Maruts, the Adityas, Vasus, Ashvins, Ribhus, Angirasas, Rudras, Vishvadevas, Sadhyas, Gandharvas, Apsaras, Nagas, Siddhas, Charanas, and the ancient rishis (`11.6.1-4`).
Drawn by the desire to see the human-like form (`nara-akritim`) of Lord Krishna that charms every eye in the worlds (`sarva-loka-malapaham`), the gods crowded their shining aerial chariots above the ocean city (`11.6.4-5`) and showered heavenly blossoms from the Nandana gardens upon Krishna while singing his glories (`11.6.5-6`). Then Brahma stepped forward and, bowing with folded hands, offered a twenty-verse farewell prayer on behalf of all the worlds (`11.6.7-27`).
"Previously, O Lord," Brahma began (`11.6.7-8`), "we came to the shores of the Milk Ocean and begged You to lift the crushing burden of the earth (`bhu-bharah`), and You fulfilled that prayer exactly as promised (`yathavat avatirita`). You re-established firm truthfulness (`satya-dharmah`) among upright souls and spread your spotless fame across every direction, a fame that wipes away all sin (`11.6.9`). Descending into the house of Yadu in a form of unmatched beauty (`vapur atyadbhutam`, `11.6.10`), you accomplished in laugh and play (`hasita-valokinocchvasitaih`) heroic works for the sake of the worlds."
And now, Brahma warned (`11.6.11-14`), in the coming age of **Kali**, wicked human beings whose minds are agitated by the gunas will be purified simply by hearing and chanting the pastimes You enacted here (`srutva gayanto 'nudrutam`, `11.6.11`). Those lotus feet that Shiva, I (Brahma), and the yogis meditate upon inside our hearts (`11.6.13`) as the ship across the ocean of mortality (`bhava-plavam`, `11.6.16`)—may they destroy our remaining bondage (`11.6.17`).
Then Brahma delivered his quiet summons (`11.6.25-27`): > *tvayoddhrito bhuvo bharo hatash chaiva maha-surah...* > *sva-dhama paramam vishno tvam chaityam upagaccha bho*
"One hundred and twenty-five years (`pancha-vinshati-adhikam shatam`, `11.6.25`) have passed since You descended in the Yadu line; nothing remains of the work of the gods (`devakaryam`), and even your own clan is practically already gone (`kulam prayo hatam vibho`, `11.6.26`). Therefore, if You please, O Supreme Sovereign (`svarat`), return now to your own supreme abode (`sva-dhama paramam`), while protecting us your servants across the worlds (`11.6.27`)."
Answering Brahma (`11.6.28-31`), Krishna agreed calmly: he had already set everything in motion (`avadhritam etat`), and as soon as he restrained the proud Yadu clan—whose swelling numbers, courage, and wealth would otherwise overrun the whole earth the moment he left (`उत्क्रामति मयि क्रुद्धो लोकान् सञ्जह्रियाद् इमान्`, `11.6.30`)—he would visit Brahma's abode on his way home (`11.6.31`). Bowed to by Brahma and the celestials, Krishna watched the heavenly hosts ascend back into the sky (`11.6.32`).
The very next day (`11.6.33-34`), terrifying portents (`autpatikan mahan`) erupted throughout the island city of Dvaraka across land, sky, and body. Seeing those omens of doom, Krishna addressed the assembled Yadu elders (`vriddhan`, `11.6.34-39`). "Wait no longer in this city, O noble lords (`11.6.35`)," Krishna warned them, "if you wish to survive! Look: these terrible omens stand before us like the death-banner of Ravana (`11.6.34`), and besides, our clan has been cursed by the brahmanas (`brahmanaih abhishaptam`), and a brahmana's word can never be turned back (`11.6.36`). This very day (`adyaiva`), let us travel immediately to the radiant pilgrimage ford of **Prabhasa** (`prabhasam su-mahat-punyam`, `11.6.36`), where the moon-god Soma was once cured of consumption (`yakshmana`) after being cursed by Daksha (`11.6.37`). By bathing at Prabhasa, offering oblations to the ancestors and gods, and giving cows, gold, land, horses, and elephants in charity to great brahmanas (`11.6.38-39`), we shall cross over all distress just as ships cross the ocean (`11.6.39`)."
Hearing the Lord's counsel, the elders of the Yadu clan immediately consented (`11.6.40`) and ordered the chariots yoked and the ferry-boats prepared to cross from the island of Dvaraka to the mainland shore of Prabhasa (`11.6.40`).
There was one person in Dvaraka, however, who had heard every word spoken between Brahma and Krishna (`11.6.41`) and understood the true meaning behind the journey to Prabhasa. **Uddhava**—the foremost servant and closest companion of the Lord (`anucharah sakshan`)—waited until Krishna was completely alone inside his private quarters (`vivikte`, `11.6.41`). Walking in quietly, Uddhava bowed his head to the ground, clasped Krishna's lotus feet with both hands (`उपस्पृश्याङ्घ्रि-पङ्कजम्`), and spoke with folded palms and streaming tears (`11.6.42-49`).
Look first at what Uddhava did *not* ask (`11.6.42`). He began by acknowledging openly: "O Lord of Yoga (`yogeshvara`), I know that after bringing this clan to its end (`samhritya etad kulam`), You are about to leave this world (`tyakshyann imam lokam`); and I know that although You are fully capable of overturning the brahmanas' curse (`samartho 'pi`), You are deliberately allowing it to stand (`na icchasi`) in order to accomplish your own purpose!" Notice Uddhava's discernment: unlike an ordinary court minister who would have begged Krishna to save the kingdom and undo the curse, Uddhava respected his Master's will without question.
Instead, Uddhava begged for one thing alone (`11.6.43`): > *naham tavanghri-kamalam kshanardham api keshava / tyaktumutsahe natha sva-dhama naya mam api*
"O Keshava, I cannot bear to give up your lotus feet for even **half a moment** (`kshanardham api`)! O Master, **take me with You** to your own abode (`sva-dhama naya mam api`)!"
How could anyone who had once tasted the nectar of Krishna's stories (`tava vikrida-amritam`, `11.6.44`)—stories that are auspicious to the ear and destroy the contamination of every soul—ever let go of his feet? More than that (`11.6.46`), Uddhava cried out from thirty years of intimate daily companionship: "We have slept beside You (`shayya`), sat with You (`asana`), walked with You (`atana`), stood with You (`sthana`), bathed with You (`snana`), played with You (`krida`), and eaten with You (`ashanadishu`); having put on the robes, garlands, scents, and ornaments You wore first (`ucchishta-bhojinah`, `11.6.47`), how can we your devoted servants ever abandon You while we still breathe?"
While great rishis dressed only in the four directions (`दिग्वाससः`, `11.6.47`) cross beyond Maya through lifetimes of lifelong celibacy, tranquility, and yoga, we who are trapped on the treacherous path of household action (`karma-vartmasu`, `11.6.48`) will cross beyond the dense darkness of illusion (`tamo duratyayam`) simply by talking with your devotees (`tava bhaktaih samvadantah`) and remembering how You walked, smiled, glanced, and spoke in human disguise (`11.6.48-49`)!
Thus entreated on the eve of his departure (`11.6.50`), the son of Devaki looked with deep affection upon his single-pointed servant (`ekantinam`) and began the twenty-three chapters of his final instruction—the **Uddhava Gita**.
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