Shreemad Bhagavat Mahapuran- Canto: 3, Chapters: 1,2 & 3
At the end of the second canto of the Shreemad Bhagavat Mahapuran, Shaunakji asked Sootji about Vidurji's conversation with Maitreya Rishi regarding spiritual matters during his pilgrimage. In response, Sootji explained that King Parikshit had also asked Shukdevji the same question. What Shree Shukdevji Maharaj had replied, I shall now recount to you all.
Shree Shukdevji said, "Parikshit, this is from the time when the blind King Dhritarashtra, unjustly supporting his wicked sons, sent his orphaned nephews, the sons of his younger brother Pandu, to the house of lac (Lakshagriha) to be burned alive. When Duhshasan dragged Draupadi by her hair in the royal court, Dhritarashtra did nothing to stop him. Later, when Duryodhan won Yudhishthir's kingdom in a game of dice and sent the Pandavas into exile, Dhritarashtra still did not return their rightful share of the kingdom.
At that time, Vidurji counselled Dhritarashtra, saying, "Maharaj, you should return Yudhishthir's rightful share to him. Bhagwan Shree Krishna supports the Pandavas, and you are taking the wrong path by opposing them. The son you are nurturing and supporting, Duryodhan, is the embodiment of evil in your household. He harbours enmity toward Bhagwan Shree Krishna, and because of him, you are distancing yourself from Bhagwan and losing your prosperity. Therefore, if you wish for the well-being of your lineage, you should immediately abandon this wicked son."
Upon hearing Vidurji's wise counsel, Duryodhan became enraged and insulted Vidurji, ordering him to leave the city. Without feeling offended, Vidurji placed his bow at the palace gate and left Hastinapur. After being humiliated by the Kauravs, Vidurji embarked on a pilgrimage. He visited various holy places, sacred cities, forests, mountains, and rivers throughout Bharatvarsh, wandering until he received news of Yudhishthir's reign over a united kingdom.
When Vidurji reached the region of Prabhas, he heard about the destruction of his Kaurav relatives, and in sorrow, he silently came to the banks of the Saraswati River. There, he visited and bathed in eleven sacred pilgrimage sites. From there, he continued his journey and, after a few days, reached the banks of the Yamuna, where he met the great devotee Uddhavji."
Vidurji meets Uddhavji
Uddhavji, Bhagwan Shree Krishna's renowned companion and servant, was known for his calm nature. He had previously been a disciple of Brihaspatiji. When Vidurji saw him, he embraced him lovingly and inquired about the well-being of his beloved Bhagwan Shree Krishna and His family. Vidurji asked Uddhavji if Shree Krishna, Balramji, and Vasudevji were healthy and happy. He also inquired about the other prominent members of the Yadav clan, such as Pradyumnji, Saamb, Satyakiji, Akrurji, and Devakiji. Vidurji then asked about the Pandavs—Yudhishthir, Bheem, Arjun, Nakul, Sahadev—and their mother, Kuntiji. He emphasised how Bhagwan Shree Krishna, though beyond birth and action, takes an avatar in the Yadav clan for the welfare of the world. Vidurji expressed his desire to hear the divine stories of Shree Krishna from Uddhavji.
When Vidurji asked about Shree Krishna, Uddhavji was overwhelmed with memories of his friend. Emotions surged within him, and he could not speak for a while. Uddhavji, who as a five-year-old child used to worship a small idol of Shree Krishna with such devotion that he wouldn't leave even when his mother called him, was now an old man who had spent many years serving Shree Krishna. Vidurji's question brought back memories of Shree Krishna's feet, and Uddhavji was overcome with separation and could not speak for some time.
After some time, Uddhavji regained his composure and, recalling his love for Shree Krishna, told Vidurji, "With the departure of Shree Krishna, our homes have been devoid of prosperity. What news of well-being can I share? This mortal world is indeed unfortunate, and the Yadavs, though blessed to be in constant proximity to Shree Krishna, were the most unfortunate for not recognising His true nature. Though the Yadavs were wise and perceptive and stayed with Bhagwan, they considered Him merely the greatest among them, not realising that He is the refuge of the entire universe and the inner controller of all beings.
However, the great souls devoted to Bhagwan were not deluded by the words of criticism or disrespect directed at Shree Krishna by the likes of Shishupal, who harboured enmity against Him. To display the power of His Yogmaya, Bhagwan Shree Krishna revealed a divine form that was so beautiful that the entire world was captivated by it, and even He Himself would marvel at it. It was the pinnacle of fortune and beauty. When people beheld this form during Yudhishthir's Rajsuya Yajna, the three worlds felt that all of the Creator's skill in making mankind had been fully realised in this form. His playful smiles, His divine glances, were so enchanting that Gopa-Gopis would abandon their household chores and stand motionless, as if they had turned into lifeless dolls, completely absorbed in Him."
Divine Passtimes of Shree Krishna
When Bhagwan saw that the great souls were troubled by the asuras, He was moved by compassion. Thus, the Supreme Bhagwan appeared with His partial incarnation, Balramji, just as fire manifests from wood.
- Despite being unborn, He took birth in Vasudevji's home.
- Although He is the one who grants fearlessness to all, it seemed as if He fled to Vraj out of fear of Kansa.
- Even though He is infinitely powerful, He left Mathura in the face of Kalyavan and retreated.
Remembering these divine pastimes of Shree Krishna, Uddhavji's heart is overwhelmed. He says, "Shree Krishna had once bowed at the feet of Devakiji and Vasudevji, saying, 'Father, Mother! Because of the great fear of Kansa, I was unable to serve you. Please do not focus on my failings and be pleased with me.' When I recall these words of Shree Krishna, my heart is filled with deep sorrow even today. Who can ever forget Shree Krishna, who lifted the burdens of the Earth? During the Rajsuya Yajna, everyone witnessed firsthand that Shishupal attained the same divine position that even great yogis strive for through intense yogic practices. Who could possibly bear the pain of separation from Him?
Just like Shishupal, the other warriors who saw Bhagwan Shree Krishna with their own eyes during the Mahabharat war and were killed by Arjun's arrows were purified and attained Bhagwan's supreme abode. Shree Krishna is the Lord of the three worlds. There is none like Him, and who could be greater than Him? Countless rulers of the multiple worlds, like Indra, would bring various offerings and, with the tips of their crowns, bow in reverence at the pedestal of His feet. Yet, the same Bhagwan Shree Krishna would stand before King Ugrasen and humbly request, 'Your Majesty, please listen to our plea.' When I recall His humility and devotion in service, the hearts of servants like myself are filled with deep sorrow."
Aho baki yam stana-kaala-kutam jighaansaya-pa-ya-ya-dapya-saadhvi
Leebhe gatim dhaatryu-chitaam tato’nyam kam vaa dayaalum sharanam vrajem
Meaning: Oh, how wondrous it is that Putana, who had poisoned her breasts with the intention to kill Krishna, received such a high position deserving of a nurse. Who else can be as compassionate as Krishna, to whom we can take refuge? (Bhagavat: 3.2.23)
Uddhavji says, "I consider even the asuras to be devotees of Shree Krishna because their minds were always focused on Him due to their enmity and anger." He further recounts all the pastimes of Shree Krishna to Vidur ji:
- Following Brahmaji's prayer, Bhagwan appeared in the house of Vasudevji and Devakiji to relieve the Earth of its burden and bring peace.
- Out of fear of Kansa, Vasudevji took Shree Krishna to Nand Baba's Vraj.
- Shree Krishna remained hidden in Vraj with Balramji for 11 years, and His divine influence did not extend beyond Vraj.
- In the groves along the Yamuna, amidst lush green trees, Shree Krishna would roam with His friends, herding calves. His playful activities captivated the Vraj residents—sometimes crying, laughing, or gazing like a lion cub.
- As He grew older, He would graze white bulls and multicoloured cows, charming the Gopas with His flute.
- Kansa sent several demons to kill Shree Krishna, whom He effortlessly destroyed.
- After subduing the Kaliya serpent, Shree Krishna revived the Gopas and cows who had died from drinking the poison-contaminated water.
- Bhagwan had Nand Baba perform Govardhan Puja, breaking Indra's pride. When Indra became angry and caused torrential rains, Shree Krishna lifted the Govardhan Mountain out of compassion to protect the residents and their livestock.
- Shree Krishna performed the Raas Leela with the Gopis in the moonlight of Sharad Purnima, singing sweet melodies.
- After concluding His Vraj Leela, Shree Krishna went to Mathura with Balramji to bring joy to His parents, Devakiji and Vasudevji and killed Kansa.
- After studying the Vedas under Sandipani Muni, Shree Krishna retrieved the sage's deceased son from Yamapuri as a form of Guru Dakshina.
- Shree Krishna married Rukminiji by abducting her using the Gandharva method. He later tamed seven untamed bulls and married Nagnajiti (Satya). When insulted kings tried to seize the princess by force, Bhagwan defeated them with His weapons without sustaining any injuries.
- Displaying acts similar to worldly men, Bhagwan brought the divine Kalpavriksha from heaven to please His beloved Satyabhama and faced Indra's anger.
- When Bhagwan killed Bhaumasura, the nother Earth prayed to Him. Shree Krishna then gave the remaining kingdom to Bhaumasura's son, Bhagadatta, and entered the palace.
- Inside the palace were many princesses who Bhaumasura had abducted. Upon seeing Shree Krishna, the protector of the helpless, they stood up and, with feelings of joy, shyness, and love, accepted Bhagwan as their husband. Through His Yogmaya, Shree Krishna took multiple forms and married each of them simultaneously, fathering ten sons with each.
- When Kalyavan, Jarasandha, Shalva, and others attacked Mathura and Dwarka with their armies, Shree Krishna used His divine powers to have these enemies slain by His people. Warriors like Shambara, Dvivida, Banasura, Mura, Balwala, and Dantavakra were either killed by Bhagwan Himself or by others under His command.
After this, Shree Krishna annihilated the kings who had sided with Dhritarashtra and Pandu's sons. When their armies reached Kurukshetra, the Earth trembled under their weight. Under the evil counsel of Karna, Dushasan, and Shakuni, Duryodhan's life and wealth were ruined, and Bhimsen broke his thigh with his mace. Even upon seeing Duryodhan lying on the ground with his companions, Shree Krishna felt no joy. He reflected, 'Even if Dron, Bhishma, Arjun, and Bhimsen have caused this great destruction of the eighteen Akshauhini armies, how much burden has been lifted from the Earth? The intolerable force of the Yadavas, strengthened by my part-manifestations like Pradyumna, still remains. When they get intoxicated and begin fighting amongst themselves, that will be their end. There is no other way. In fact, once I resolve it, they will vanish on their own.'
With this thought, Bhagwan Shree Krishna seated Yudhishthir on his ancestral throne and encouraged all his relatives to follow the path of Dharma. He saved Abhimanyu's son, Parikshit, from Ashwatthama's Brahmastra. Shree Krishna also had Yudhishthir perform three Ashwamedh Yagyas, and the Pandava brothers lived joyfully under His guidance, protecting the Earth.
Shree Krishna resided in Dwarka, following both worldly and Vedic traditions while enjoying all forms of pleasure. Yet, He never developed an attachment to them, as His goal was to establish Sankhya Yog. With His sweet smile, affectionate gaze, nectar-like speech, and divine pastimes, He brought great joy to the Yadavas and others, both in this world and the next. After enjoying the pleasures of household life for many years, He eventually did Leela of became detached from these material enjoyments.
Daivaa-dhineshu kameshu daivaadhinah svayam pumaan
Ko visrambheta yogena yogeshvaram anuvratah
Meaning: These material pleasures are under the control of God, and living beings are also under His dominion. If even the Yogeshwar, Bhagwan Shree Krishna, becomes detached from them, how can a devotee who follows Him through Bhakti Yog believe in these pleasures? (Bhagavat: 3-3-23)
Once, while playing in Dwarkapuri, the children of the Yadu and Bhoja dynasties made fun of some sages. The sages understood that the Yadava dynasty's destruction was now Bhagwan's will, and thus they cursed the children. A few months later, the warriors of the Vrishni, Bhoja, and Andhaka dynasties, with great joy, mounted their chariots and went to the Prabhas region. There, they bathed and performed offerings to their ancestors, gods, and sages with the holy waters of the pilgrimage. They made many offerings to the Brahmins. Afterwards, these brave men bowed their heads to the ground and offered their respects to cows and Brahmins. Following the Brahmins' instructions, the Yadavas ate their meal and consumed Varuni liquor.
The consumption of the liquor clouded their wisdom, and they began insulting one another with harsh words. Their intelligence further deteriorated under the influence of the alcohol, and just as friction between bamboo sticks causes fire, by sunset, a fierce battle erupted among them. Bhagwan Shree Krishna observed this strange Leela (divine play) of His Maya and sat under a tree after purifying Himself with an offering from the waters of the Saraswati River. Before this, knowing that the destruction of His lineage was imminent, Bhagwan, the remover of the sorrows of those who surrender to Him, had told me to go to Badrikashram.
Summary: JKYog India Online Class- Shreemad Bhagavat Katha [Hindi]- 06.09.2024
