128- Yadavs' Departure to Prabhas, the Opening of the Krishna–Uddhav Dialogue, and Dattatreya's Twenty-Four Gurus

Shukadevji tells Parikshit that after Devarshi Narad departed, Brahma, Bhagwan Shankar, Indra, and many devas, rishis, siddhas, gandharvas, nagas, pitrs, and other celestial beings came to Dwaraka for the darshan of Bhagwan Shree Krishna. They showered divine flowers upon Him and offered hymns of praise.

Then Brahma said, "O Supreme Soul! In response to our prayers, You descended to this earth, relieved it of its burden, re-established dharma, and spread Your divine glory in all directions through Your transcendental leelas. In Kaliyug, those who faithfully hear and sing these leelas will easily cross the darkness of ignorance.

“O Purushottam! One hundred and twenty-five years have passed since You appeared on earth. Our purpose has been fulfilled, and the time has also come for the Yadu dynasty to end due to the brahmins' curse. Therefore, if it pleases You, kindly return to Your eternal abode and continue to protect Your servants, the guardians of the universe, and all the worlds."

Bhagwan Shree Krishna replied to Brahma, "What you say is exactly what I had already resolved. By relieving the earth of its burden, I have fulfilled the purpose for which you all prayed. Yet one task still remains. The Yadavs have become intoxicated by their strength, heroism, and prosperity. Just as the ocean remains confined within its shores, I have thus far kept them within the bounds of righteousness. If I depart before their destruction, they will create disturbances throughout the worlds. The time has now come for the brahmins' curse to bear fruit. When the Yadu dynasty comes to its end, I too shall return to My eternal abode."

After Bhagwan Shree Krishna spoke these words, Brahma offered his obeisances to Him and departed for his own abode along with the devas.

Following Brahma's departure, many ominous signs and inauspicious portents began to appear in Dwarka. Seeing these, the elders of the Yadu dynasty approached Bhagwan Shree Krishna.

Bhagwan Shree Krishna said, "These inauspicious signs appearing in Dwarka indicate that the time has come for the curse of the brahmins to take effect. Therefore, we should not delay any longer. Today itself, let us depart for the supremely sacred holy place of Prabhas.

"Prabhas is an exceedingly holy place. It was there that Chandra bathed and became freed from the disease (tuberculosis) brought upon him by Daksha's curse. We too shall bathe there, offer libations to the devas and the pitrs, feed the brahmins with devotion, and present them with gifts and charity. By receiving their blessings, we shall overcome our impending calamity."

Upon hearing Bhagwan's command, all the Yadavs unanimously resolved to proceed to Prabhas and began making preparations for the journey.

When Uddhav saw the Yadavs preparing to leave for Prabhas and observed the ominous signs manifesting in Dwarka, he went privately to Bhagwan. Bowing at His lotus feet with folded hands, he said, "O Yogeshwar! You are omnipotent. Had You desired, You could even have nullified the curse of the brahmins. From this, I understand that You are now about to conclude Your earthly leela with the Yadu dynasty and depart from this world.

"My Lord! I cannot even imagine being separated from Your lotus feet for half a moment. You are my very life, my Master, and my very Self. Please take me with You to Your eternal abode.

"O Krishna! Once one has tasted the nectar of Your divine leelas, nothing in this world remains attractive. Every moment of our lives has become blessed simply by living in Your association. How, then, can Your loving devotees possibly endure separation from You?

"We (devotees) live solely by Your grace. We do not fear Your maya; we fear only separation from You. Although Your maya is exceedingly difficult to cross, by remaining in the association of Your devotees and constantly hearing, chanting, and remembering Your names, qualities, and leelas, we shall easily transcend it. Therefore, my Lord, please do not separate us from Yourself."

Shukadev says that upon hearing this heartfelt prayer from His most intimate friend and devoted servant Uddhav, Bhagwan Shree Krishna replied, "My dear Uddhav! The mission of the devas has now been accomplished. At Brahma's request, I descended to earth along with Balaram to relieve the earth of its burden, and that purpose has now been fulfilled. Because of the curse of the brahmins, the Yadu dynasty will soon perish through internal conflict. Seven days from today, the ocean will also submerge Dwarka. As soon as I depart from this earth, the influence of Kaliyug will begin to increase. Therefore, after My departure, you should not remain here.

"Uddhav, now give up attachment to your relatives. Fix your mind exclusively upon Me and wander over the earth with equal vision. This entire visible universe is a temporary manifestation projected by the mind and is pervaded by maya. All distinctions of virtue and vice, doer and deed, action and its results arise solely from ignorance. Therefore, first bring your senses and mind under control. Then realise that the entire universe rests within your own Self, and that your Self is non-different from Me, the all-pervading Brahman.

"When, through knowledge and direct realisation, you truly understand the essence of the Vedas, you will become established in the bliss of the Self and behold your own Self in all beings. In that state, no obstacle will ever disturb you, nor will the bondage of birth and death remain. One who has risen above all dualities sees the entire universe as My own manifestation and thereby attains supreme peace."

Hearing this instruction, Uddhav said, "My Lord, You have instructed me to embrace renunciation and detachment for my highest welfare. But for one who is attached to worldly objects and regards the body and this world as everything, it is extremely difficult to give up worldly desires and possessiveness. For those who are turned away from You, it is even more difficult.

"My Lord! I, too, have been deluded by Your maya and remain attached to the body and the world. Please bestow upon me that knowledge and discipline by which I may attain refuge at Your lotus feet. Other than You, there is no one who can truly instruct me in the knowledge of the Self."

Bhagwan Shree Krishna replied, "O Uddhav! Those who are intelligent and deeply understand the nature of this world generally free their own minds from impure thoughts (worldly desires and defects) through the power of discrimination. Indeed, a person's own Self is his foremost guru, for through direct experience and thoughtful reflection, he can determine what is beneficial and what is harmful.

"When such wise persons become proficient in Sankhya and Yog (knowledge and bhakti), they behold Me, the Supreme Paramatma, directly within this very human body, together with all My infinite powers."

Bhagwan further says, "I have created beings with one leg, two legs, three legs, four legs, more than four legs, and even those without legs. Among all these forms of life, the human body is most dear to Me. It is in this human form that people, by carefully observing the characteristics perceived through the senses and by employing inference, search for and ultimately realise Me- the Supreme Lord, who lies beyond the reach of the senses."

Bhagwan Shree Krishna then narrated an ancient account to Uddhav. Once, the righteous King Yadu encountered the effulgent Avadhut Dattatreya, who was wandering fearlessly. Yadu asked, "O revered brahmin! Although You are not engaged in worldly duties, Your wisdom is exceptionally pure and profound. Though You are supremely learned, You wander about with the simplicity and freedom of a child. People generally perform actions seeking long life, fame, wealth, enjoyment, or liberation. Yet You possess ability, learning, and every noble quality, and still You desire nothing. Your words are like nectar, yet You remain completely detached, appearing at times like an innocent child or even a madman. While ordinary people are tormented by lust and greed, You remain entirely untouched by them and ever blissful. Free from attachment to children, wealth, and worldly possessions, You remain firmly established in Your own Self. Kindly tell me, how did You attain this supreme bliss of Self-realisation?"

In response to King Yadu's question, Avadhut Dattatreya began to speak, "O King! I have accepted many gurus. By learning from their teachings and their conduct, I wander through this world completely free. Now listen to the names of my gurus and the essence of the wisdom I learned from each.

My twenty-four gurus are: (1) Earth, (2) Air, (3) Sky, (4) Water, (5) Fire, (6) Moon, (7) Sun, (8) Pigeon, (9) Python, (10) Ocean, (11) Moth, (12) Honeybee, (13) Elephant, (14) Honey Gatherer, (15) Deer, (16) Fish, (17) Pingala, (18) Kurara Bird (osprey/hawk), (19) Child, (20) Maiden, (21) Arrow-maker, (22) Serpent, (23) Spider, and (24) Bhringi Insect.

Summary: JKYog India Online Class- Shreemad Bhagavat Katha [Hindi]- 13.07.2026