106- Krishna and Balram Meet Devaki & Vasudev, Install Ugrasen as King, Go to Gurukul, and Bring Their Guru’s Son Back from Yamlok

Shukdevji tells Parikshit that Bhagwan Shree Krishna realised that His parents had now understood His divine power and supremacy. However, He thought that such knowledge was not suitable for them, because it would prevent them from experiencing the natural joy of parental affection. Thinking this, He spread His Yogmaya over them, the divine power that enchants His own devotees and assists in His pastimes.

Shree Krishna, along with His elder brother Balramji, went to His parents. With humility and respect He bowed before them and said, “My mother, my father! We are your sons. You were always worried about us, yet you could not experience the joy of our childhood, boyhood, and youth.

“Unfortunately, we never had the opportunity to live with you. It is the father and mother who give birth to the body and nourish it. Only because of them does this body become the means to attain Dharma, Artha, Kam, and Moksha. Even if a person lives for a hundred years serving his parents, he still cannot repay their debt.

“A son who is capable yet does not serve his parents with his body and wealth is punished after death by the messengers of Yamraj, who make him eat the flesh of his own body. A person who, despite having the ability, does not care for his aged parents, faithful wife, young children, guru, brahmins, and those who have taken refuge in him is like a dead man even while living. Father, so many of our days have been wasted, because we always remained anxious due to fear of Kans and could not serve you. My mother and father, please forgive us. The wicked Kans caused you great suffering, and because we were under his control, we could not serve you.”

Shukdevji says that hearing these words of Shree Hari, Devaki and Vasudev became completely overwhelmed. They lifted both sons onto their laps and embraced them with deep affection. They felt immense joy and became so filled with love that tears began to flow from their eyes. Their throats choked with emotion, and they were unable to speak.

In this way, Devakinandan Bhagwan Shree Krishna comforted His parents. Afterwards, He installed His maternal grandfather, Ugrasen, as the king of the Yadu dynasty. Shree Krishna said to him, “Maharaj, we are your subjects, and you should rule over us. Because of the curse of King Yayati, the Yadus cannot sit upon the royal throne. However, it is my wish that you become the king, and therefore no fault will fall upon you. When I serve you as your attendant, even the great devatas will bow their heads and offer you tribute, and what to speak of other kings.”

Those belonging to the Yadu, Vrishni, Andhak, Madhu, Dasharh, and Kukur dynasties had fled in different directions out of fear of Kans. Bhagwan had them searched for and called back. Because they had lived away from their homes, they had suffered greatly. Bhagwan honoured them, comforted them, and gave them abundant wealth, helping them to settle once again in their own homes.

Now all the Yadus were protected by the mighty arms of Bhagwan Shree Krishna and Balramji. By Their grace, they had no distress or suffering. All their desires were fulfilled, and they felt completely blessed. They began to live happily in their homes once again.

Bhagwan Shree Krishna is the very abode of bliss. He is like an eternally blossoming lotus that never withers. His beauty is limitless. The Yadus, beholding Him day after day, remained immersed in joy. Even the elderly men of Mathura became strong and energetic like young men, because again and again they drank the nectar-like honey of the lotus face of Bhagwan with their eyes.

Then Devakinandan Bhagwan Shree Krishna and Balramji came to Nandbaba. After embracing him, Shree Krishna said, “Baba! You and Yashoda Maiya have lovingly raised and cared for us with great affection. There is no doubt that parents love their children more than they love their own bodies. When children are abandoned because their real parents are unable to raise them, those who nurture them with the same affection as their own sons are truly their parents.

“Baba, now please return to Braj. Because of your deep affection for us, you will surely feel sorrow in our absence. After bringing happiness to our relatives here, we will also come to Braj to meet you.”

In this way, Bhagwan Shree Krishna consoled Nandbaba and the other residents of Braj. Then, with great respect, He honoured them by presenting clothes, ornaments, and many vessels made of different metals.

Hearing Bhagwan's words, Nandbaba was overwhelmed with love. He embraced both brothers tightly. Tears filled his eyes, and then, along with the gopas, he departed for Braj.

After this, Vasudevji had the sacred thread ceremony (Yajnopavit sanskar) of both his sons performed according to proper Vedic rites by his family priest Gargacharyaji and other brahmins. He honoured the brahmins and offered them abundant dakshina, along with cows with calves as gifts.

Earlier, at the time of the birth of Bhagwan Shree Krishna and Balramji, Vasudevji had mentally resolved to donate many cows to the brahmins. However, Kans had unjustly seized those cows. Now, remembering that earlier vow, he donated the same number of cows again to the brahmins.

In this way, after receiving the sacrament from the Yadu dynasty’s acharya Gargji, Balramji and Bhagwan Shree Krishna became dweej (twice-born). Their vow of brahmacharya was already firm, and now they formally began their studies by chanting the Gayatri mantra.

Shree Krishna and Balram are the masters of the universe. They know everything, and all branches of knowledge originate from Them. Their knowledge is natural and complete. Yet, while performing Their human-like pastimes, They kept this divine knowledge concealed.

After this, Shree Krishna and Balram desired to receive formal education and therefore went to the ashram of Sandipani Muni, who lived in Avantipur (Ujjain). Both brothers began living in the guru’s ashram in accordance with the proper discipline of the Gurukul system. They lived with great self-control and strictly followed all the rules of conduct. 

Gurudev honoured them, and Bhagwan Shree Krishna and Balramji themselves set an ideal example before others of how a disciple should serve the guru. With deep devotion, they served their guru as if he were their own Ishtadev.

Guru Sandipani Muni became very pleased with their sincere service. He taught the two brothers the Vedas, along with the six Vedangas and the Upanishads. In addition, he taught them knowledge of mantras and devatas, Dhanurveda, the Dharmashastras such as Manusmriti, the scriptures that explain the meaning of the Vedas, such as Mimansa, and the science of logic (Nyaya). He also instructed them in the six principles of statecraft: sandhi (treaty), vigrah (war), yan(military expedition), asan (remaining neutral or waiting), dvaidha (dividing forces), and ashraya (seeking alliance).

Shukdevji tells Parikshit that Bhagwan Shree Krishna and Balram are the very source of all knowledge. Yet at that time They behaved like exemplary human students and received instruction from their guru. Whatever Gurudev taught them once, they understood perfectly. In only sixty-four days and nights, those two disciplined brothers mastered all sixty-four arts.

After completing their studies, they respectfully said to Sandipani Muni, “Gurudev, please ask from us whatever you desire as guru-dakshina.”

Sandipani Muni had already realised their extraordinary glory and divine intelligence. Therefore, after consulting with his wife, he asked for this guru-dakshina: “Our son had drowned in the ocean at Prabhas Kshetra. Please bring him back.”

The power and heroism of Balramji and Shree Krishna are limitless. Both are great warriors. Saying “Very well,” they accepted their guru’s command and set out on a chariot to Prabhas Kshetra. They went to the shore of the ocean and sat there for a while. Knowing that they were the Supreme Bhagwan Himself, the ocean appeared before them with many kinds of offerings for worship.

Bhagwan said to the ocean, “O Ocean! Your mighty waves carried away the son of our guru from here. Bring him to us at once.” The ocean, who had come in human form, replied, “O Devadhidev Shree Krishna! I did not take that boy. In my waters lives a daitya named Panchjan, who takes the form of a conch. It is possible that he carried the boy away.”

Hearing this, Bhagwan immediately entered the water and killed that daitya Shankhasur. However, the boy was not found in his stomach. Bhagwan then took the conch made from his body and returned to the chariot. From there, Shree Krishna and Balramji went to Samyamani, the city of Yamraj, and Shree Krishna blew that conch.

Hearing the sound of the conch, Yamraj himself came forward to welcome them. With great reverence, he worshipped them according to proper rites and humbly said, “O all-pervading Supreme Bhagwan, what service can I render to you?”

Bhagwan replied, “O Yamraj! My guru’s son has been brought here. Obey my command and bring him to us, without considering his karm.”

Yamraj said, “As you command,” and following Bhagwan’s order, he brought the guru’s son. Shree Krishna and Balram then took the boy with them and returned to Ujjain, where they presented him to their guru. They said, “Gurudev, if you desire anything more, please ask.”

Guru Sandipani Muni replied, “My dear children, you have already given an excellent guru-dakshina. What more could I possibly want? O noble ones, now you may return to your home. May you attain everlasting fame that sanctifies the entire world.”

Shukdevji says, “O Parikshit, after receiving their guru’s permission, both brothers returned to Mathura. The people of Mathura had not seen Shree Krishna and Balram for many days, and they had been very sorrowful. Now, seeing them return, everyone became extremely joyful, just as a person feels when he recovers a long-lost treasure.”

Summary: JKYog India Online Class- Shreemad Bhagavat Katha [Hindi]- 09.03.2026