Chapter 4 – Destruction of the Yādavas and Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s Message
Uddhava said:
1.) Thereafter, having first respectfully taken their meals with the permission of the venerable Brāhmaṇas, the Yādavas and others partook of wine. Intoxicated and their discernment clouded by delusion, they fell into mutual discord, wounding each other with harsh and bitter words.
2.) As the wine’s evil influence overpowered their minds, unsettling their intellect and inflaming their passions, they turned upon one another in a frenzy (a fight began among themselves). And as the sun descended, their mutual destruction unfolded—like the tragic fire sparked by the clash of bamboo canes, which consumes the very grove from which it is born.
3.) Beholding the unfolding of events, orchestrated by His own inscrutable Māyā, the Supreme Lord then sipped the sanctifying waters of the Sarasvatī and sat down at the foot of a (peepul) tree (near its bank).
4.) (Before this) when the Lord, who relieves the agony of those who resort to Him for protection, made up His mind to exterminate His race, He told me (even at Dwārakā) to proceed to Badarīvana (the spot where the divine sages Nara and Nārāyana still practise their austere penance).
5.) Although I knew well His divine purpose, O conqueror of enemies, I could not restrain myself—I followed Him still, unable to bear the torment of separation from His lotus feet.
6.) In search of my most beloved Master (He who protects by bestowing the knowledge of the Self) I found Him at last, the eternal abode of Śrī Lakṣmī, seated alone upon the banks of the sacred Sarasvatī, without any shelter (for He Himself is the shelter of all beings).
7.) There I beheld the Lord—His enchanting blue complexion radiating serenity, His form composed entirely of pure Sattva (ever free from Rajas & Tamas). His eyes, calm and softly reddish like the early dawn, reflected boundless compassion. He was easily recognizable by His yellow silken garments and His four divine arms.
8.) Reclining with perfect ease beneath a young Aśvattha (peepul) tree, He rested His lotus-like right foot upon His left thigh. Though He had renounced all worldly pleasures (of being a King), a divine bliss radiated from Him—serene and self-contained, untouched by the senses, yet full of infinite joy.
9.) At that very moment, the enlightened sage Maitreya happened to arrive, wandering through the various realms. A great devotee of the Lord, he was also a dear friend and fellow disciple of the venerable sage Dvaipāyana (Vedavyāsa), a loving friend and a well wisher.
10.) While that devoted sage stood in silent awe, his head bowed low, eyes glistening with tears of love, his heart overwhelmed in the ecstasy of divine emotion, the all-compassionate Śrī Kṛṣṇa (the Giver of liberation and the Beloved of every surrendered soul) turned His gaze towards me. With a smile as sweet as nectar and glances brimming with boundless affection, He spoke, soothing my heart and soul with the cooling balm of His divine words.
The Lord said:
11.) Dwelling ever within your heart (as antaryāmin), I know well the longing that stirs within you, O Uddhava. Moved by your unwavering devotion, I now bestow upon you that which is rarely attained, even by the greatest of seekers. In your previous birth, when you were among the Vasus, you worshipped Me with single-pointed devotion during the great sacrifice performed by the Prajāpatis and the Vasus—your only desire then, as now, was to attain Me alone.
12.) O noble-hearted Uddhava, this shall indeed be your final birth—for in this very life, you have received My complete grace. Fortunate are you beyond measure, for through your pure, unwavering devotion, you have beheld Me here, in this sacred and solitary place, even as I prepare to withdraw from this earthly realm and return to My eternal Abode (Vaikuṇṭha).
13.) To you, O Uddhava, I shall now impart that supreme and sacred wisdom which reveals My eternal glory—the very knowledge known as the Bhāgavata. In ages long past, at the dawn of creation during the Pādma Kalpa, I first bestowed this divine truth upon Brahmā, the unborn one, as he sat upon the lotus that blossomed from My navel.
14.) Thus lovingly spoken to by the Lord (He whose grace ever showers upon me), I responded with trembling words, my palms folded in reverence. Overwhelmed with love, my voice faltered, my eyes overflowed with tears, and the hair on my body stood on end due to ecstatic devotion.
15.) O Lord, what goal among dharma, artha, kāma, or even mokṣa could remain unattainable for those who have taken shelter at Your lotus feet? Yet, O All-powerful One, I seek none of these. My only longing is to remain ever in loving service at Your lotus feet, which are the true treasure of my heart.
16.) That You, who are beyond all action, should engage in worldly deeds; that You, the unborn and eternal, should appear to take birth; that You, the vanquisher of all fear, should flee before an enemy and seek refuge within a fortress—these wondrous acts confuse even the wise (the knowers of the Self). And that You, ever content in the bliss of Your own Self, should lovingly wed over ten thousand damsels—such is the unfathomable mystery of Your divine play, O Lord, which delights the hearts of Your devotees (who ever rejoice in your divine play).
17.) O glorious Lord! That You—whose knowledge is ever-luminous, unerring, unbroken, and untouched by doubt or delusion; who are eternally awake in all beings—should call upon me as though seeking counsel, as if unaware, like a person clouded by ignorance, such divine humility bewilders my heart. How can the All-knowing ever consult one so small? Truly, this too is but another wonder of Your inconceivable līlā.
18.) O my beloved Master, if You deem us worthy, kindly bless us with that supreme and all-encompassing wisdom—the secret of Your own divine nature—which You once imparted to Brahmā at the dawn of creation. May that sacred knowledge, flowing from Your lotus lips, lift us easily beyond the ocean of worldly sorrow and plant us firmly at Your eternal feet.
19.) When I offered my heartfelt plea unto Him, revealing the innermost yearning of my mind, the Supreme Lord—His eyes radiant like lotus blossoms—compassionately unveiled to me the glory of His transcendental nature (which is truly beyond all thought and speech).
20.) Having received from my most worshipful Guru, Śrī Kṛṣṇa (the supreme path of God-realization)—who is the embodiment of all Truth and the sole Reality—I bowed in deepest reverence at His lotus feet. With tear-filled eyes, I circumambulated Him, offering my heart with each step. Then, though my body moved away, my soul remained behind, aching with the anguish of separation from the Lord of my life.
21. 22.) Though my heart once rejoiced in the divine vision of my Beloved Śrī Kṛṣṇa, I am now consumed by the pain of separation from Him, O Vidura. Therefore, I shall journey to the sacred sanctuary of Badarikāśrama—His dearest abode—where the glorious sage Nārāyaṇa, along with the venerable sage Nara, dwells in serene and timeless penance, upholding the welfare of the world through their eternal austerity extending for a long period (up to the end of the Kalpa).
Śrī Śuka said:
23.) The wise Vidura, though pierced with sorrow upon hearing the unbearable tidings of the passing of his beloved kinsmen, gently calmed the storm in his heart through the strength of divine wisdom, steadying himself in the light of Truth.
24.) As Uddhava, the exalted devotee and foremost among the servants of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, prepared to depart for Badarikāśrama, Vidura—the noble-hearted scion of the Kuru line—moved by deep affection, addressed him with words (as follows).
Vidura said:
25.) O blessed one, kindly grace me with that supreme wisdom which reveals the hidden essence of the Lord’s own transcendental nature—the sacred truth imparted to you by the divine Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Master of Yoga. For the servants of Śrī Viṣṇu wander this world not for themselves, but solely to serve the needs of His pure devotees.
Uddhava said:
26.) To realize that supreme Truth, you must humbly approach the venerable sage Maitreya (the noble son of Kuśāru). In my very presence, the Lord Himself—just as He was preparing to depart from this mortal realm—entrusted him with the sacred duty of imparting this wisdom (to the world and to instruct it to you i.e.Vidur).
Śrī Śuka said:
27.) Thus, in the sanctified company of Vidura, Uddhava’s heart—scorched by the pangs of separation from Śrī Hari—was soothed by the ambrosial discourse on the boundless glories of the all-pervading Lord. Resting on the sacred bank of the Yamunā (blessed sister of Yama), that night passed for him like a fleeting moment, and at dawn, he set forth toward the holy abode of Badarikāśrama.
The King said:
28.) When even the mightiest among the chariot-warriors of the Vṛṣṇis and Bhojas met their destined end—struck down by the curse of the Brāhmaṇa’s—and when Śrī Hari Himself, the Supreme Person and the Master even of all Gods, appeared to relinquish His mortal form for the sake of the world’s vision (as in reality He is beyond a form), how is it that Uddhava, the most distinguished among them, alone remained untouched and survived?
Śrī Śuka said:
29.) When Śrī Kṛṣṇa—the Supreme Lord whose every resolve is ever fulfilled—had brought about the end of His own race through the agency of Death, which had manifested in the form of the Brāhmaṇas’ curse, and when He was about to conclude His manifest pastimes by relinquishing His visible form, He contemplated within Himself in this manner:
30.) Now, as I prepare to withdraw from this earthly realm, Uddhava alone—exalted among the Self-realized Souls—is truly fit to receive the sacred wisdom concerning My own divine essence.
31.) Uddhava is in no way lesser than Myself—for he has perfectly conquered his inner Self and remains ever undisturbed amidst the provocations of the senses (& guṇas). Therefore, let him remain upon the earth (after the annihilation of the Yāḍavas), bestowing unto the world the sacred knowledge of My divine glories.
32.) Thus instructed by Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the lord of the three worlds—the very fountainhead of the Vedas—Uddhava journeyed to the sacred hermitage of Badarikāśrama. There, with a heart absorbed in devotion and reverence, he worshipped Śrī Hari through deep meditation.
33-35.) Having heard from Uddhava the glorious deeds of Śrī Kṛṣṇa—the Supreme Person who had graciously descended in human form out of sheer divine play—and of His wondrous departure from the mortal world was a glorious act of transcendence that steals the hearts of the steadfast devotees, but bewilders the weak (who are not devoted). And, O Parīkṣit, best of the Kurus! When Vidura recalled that the Lord had remembered him at the time of His divine withdrawal, waves of love surged through him, and unable to contain the flood of emotion, he wept as he parted from that exalted devotee, Uddhava.
36.) From the sacred bank of the Yamunā, the blessed Vidura (who is ever established in spiritual perfection) journeyed over several days to reach the heavenly river (Gaṅgā). There, by divine arrangement, he encountered the noble sage Maitreya (the illustrious son of Mitrā), as though guided by the unseen hand of the Lord Himself.
Thus ends the fourth discourse entitled “Destruction of the Yādavas and Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s Message”, in Book Three of the great and glorious Bhāgavata Purāṇa, otherwise known as the Paramahaṁsa-Saṁhitā (the book of the God-realized Souls).
Summarization Of The Entire Chapter :
After taking their meals with due respect for the Brāhmaṇas, the Yādavas, in a moment of carelessness, gave themselves over to wine. Overpowered by intoxication and clouded by delusion, they fell into quarrels, exchanging harsh words. As the sun set, their discord turned into violent conflict, and in their frenzy, they destroyed one another—just as a fire, sparked by the clash of bamboos, consumes the very grove from which it arises.
Witnessing this self-destruction, brought about through His own inscrutable Māyā, Śrī Kṛṣṇa withdrew from the scene. He bathed in the sanctifying waters of the Sarasvatī and sat peacefully beneath a young peepul tree. Long before, He had already instructed His beloved devotee Uddhava to proceed to Badarikāśrama, where sages Nara and Nārāyaṇa perform eternal austerities. Yet Uddhava, unable to endure separation from his Master, followed Him in deep longing.
There, on the banks of the Sarasvatī, Uddhava at last beheld his Beloved Lord—the eternal abode of Śrī Lakṣmī—seated in serene majesty. Kṛṣṇa’s divine form, blue as a rain-laden cloud, radiated calm and compassion. Reclining gracefully beneath the tree, clad in yellow silk, resting His lotus foot upon His thigh, He was resplendent in the fullness of divine bliss, untouched by worldly concerns. At that moment, the sage Maitreya also arrived, paying silent homage to the Lord, while Uddhava’s heart overflowed in devotion.
Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the knower of all hearts, then turned His nectarlike glance toward Uddhava. Smiling with boundless affection, He revealed that Uddhava’s longing devotion across many births had reached its fulfillment. This would be his final birth, for the Lord was about to return to His eternal Abode, and Uddhava had been chosen to receive the highest wisdom. He promised to impart to him the sacred Bhāgavata—the eternal truth first spoken to Brahmā at the dawn of creation.
Hearing these words, Uddhava, trembling with devotion and overwhelmed with tears, offered his prayer. He confessed that he desired none of the worldly goals of dharma, artha, kāma, or even mokṣa. His only aspiration was to remain in loving service at the Lord’s lotus feet. He marveled at the mysteries of Kṛṣṇa’s divine play—His humility, His seeming humanity, His countless wondrous acts—each one a paradox that bewildered the wise and delighted the hearts of devotees. With folded hands, he begged the Lord to bestow upon him the supreme wisdom of His own transcendental nature.
Out of compassion, Śrī Kṛṣṇa granted Uddhava this most sacred knowledge. Uddhava, deeply moved, circumambulated his Master with reverence, his eyes brimming with tears of love. Though his body departed, his heart remained fixed at the Lord’s feet, heavy with the pain of impending separation. He resolved to journey to Badarikāśrama, the Lord’s dear abode, where the sages Nara and Nārāyaṇa uphold the world through timeless penance.
When Vidura heard from Uddhava of the destruction of the Yādavas and the Lord’s imminent departure, grief pierced his heart. Yet, with the strength of spiritual wisdom, he steadied himself in the light of Truth. As Uddhava prepared to leave for Badarikāśrama, Vidura, moved by love, asked him to share the sacred wisdom imparted by Śrī Kṛṣṇa. But Uddhava directed him instead to Maitreya, whom the Lord Himself had chosen to deliver that divine knowledge.
Thus, soothed by the discourse on Kṛṣṇa’s boundless glories, Uddhava spent one final night on the banks of the Yamunā before departing for Badarikāśrama. Meanwhile, Vidura—his heart lifted by the thought that the Lord remembered him even at His departure—was overcome with emotion. Journeying onward, he arrived at the banks of the Gaṅgā, where by divine arrangement he encountered the sage Maitreya, guided as though by the unseen will of the Lord Himself.
Thus ends the chapter describing the destruction of the Yādavas, the Lord’s compassionate message to Uddhava, and the transition of sacred wisdom to Maitreya, ensuring that the glory of Bhagavān would continue to illumine the world even after His departure.
Short Questions & Answers :
Q1. What caused the destruction of the Yādava race?
A1. After respectfully dining, the Yādavas indulged in wine. Intoxication clouded their judgment, leading to harsh quarrels. Soon, a violent fight broke out among themselves, and by evening they destroyed one another—just as bamboo clashing sparks a fire that consumes the grove.
Q2. How did Śrī Kṛṣṇa respond to this tragic event?
A2. Seeing the destruction of His dynasty, brought about by His own inscrutable Māyā, Śrī Kṛṣṇa bathed in the holy Sarasvatī and sat peacefully beneath a young peepul tree, detached from the chaos, preparing for His departure from the earthly realm.
Q3. Why did Uddhava follow Śrī Kṛṣṇa, despite being instructed to go to Badarikāśrama?
A3. Although Kṛṣṇa had already instructed him to proceed to Badarikāśrama, Uddhava’s deep devotion and inability to bear separation from his Master compelled him to follow the Lord, longing for His presence.
Q4. How did Uddhava find Kṛṣṇa on the bank of the Sarasvatī?
A4. Uddhava beheld the Lord seated in serene majesty, His form radiant with pure Sattva. Clad in yellow silk, with reddish dawn-like eyes filled with compassion, resting beneath a peepul tree, Kṛṣṇa appeared as the very embodiment of divine bliss, serene and self-contained.
Q5. Who else was present when Uddhava approached the Lord?
A5. The sage Maitreya arrived at that time. A friend and disciple of Vyāsa, he was a great devotee of the Lord, and he stood silently in awe, weeping with tears of devotion upon seeing Kṛṣṇa.
Q6. What did Śrī Kṛṣṇa reveal to Uddhava about his devotion?
A6. Kṛṣṇa, smiling with love, revealed that Uddhava had worshipped Him in previous births with single-pointed devotion and that this would be his final birth. He had attained the Lord’s full grace and was chosen to receive the highest wisdom before Kṛṣṇa’s return to His eternal abode.
Q7. What supreme knowledge did Kṛṣṇa promise to impart to Uddhava?
A7. The Lord promised to bestow the Bhāgavata wisdom—the sacred truth of His eternal glory—which He had first imparted to Brahmā at the dawn of creation.
Q8. How did Uddhava respond to the Lord’s words?
A8. Overcome with love and devotion, Uddhava prayed with folded hands. He declared that he desired neither dharma, artha, kāma, nor even mokṣa. His only wish was to serve eternally at the Lord’s lotus feet, the true treasure of his heart.
Q9. What mysteries of Kṛṣṇa’s līlā puzzled Uddhava?
A9. Uddhava was bewildered by how the all-knowing, unborn, and self-content Lord performed seemingly human acts: taking birth, appearing to flee from enemies, marrying thousands of wives, and even seeking counsel as though ignorant. These paradoxes, he admitted, are the unfathomable delights of the Lord’s divine play.
Q10. What did Uddhava finally request from Kṛṣṇa?
A10. He begged the Lord to bestow the supreme wisdom of His own divine nature—the same knowledge imparted to Brahmā—so that he might transcend worldly sorrow and attain eternal service at His feet.
Q11. How did Uddhava part from the Lord?
A11. After receiving Kṛṣṇa’s grace, Uddhava circumambulated Him with tearful reverence. Though his body departed, his heart remained fixed at the Lord’s feet, heavy with the pain of separation. He resolved to go to Badarikāśrama to live in devotion.
Q12. How did Vidura react to Uddhava’s account of Kṛṣṇa’s departure and the Yādavas’ destruction?
A12. Vidura was pierced with grief but steadied his mind with wisdom. He then asked Uddhava to impart the supreme knowledge he had received from the Lord.
Q13. Did Uddhava teach Vidura directly?
A13. No. Uddhava explained that the Lord had entrusted the responsibility of teaching this wisdom to Maitreya. Therefore, he directed Vidura to approach Maitreya for full understanding.
Q14. Where did Uddhava go after leaving Vidura?
A14. Uddhava, scorched by the pain of separation yet blessed by the Lord’s grace, departed for the sacred Badarikāśrama to worship Nara-Nārāyaṇa through meditation and devotion.
Q15. How did Vidura come to meet Maitreya?
A15. By divine arrangement, Vidura later encountered the sage Maitreya on the banks of the Gaṅgā. This meeting was guided by the unseen will of the Lord so that the wisdom of Bhagavān might continue to illumine the world.
Q16. Why was Uddhava chosen to survive, while all the Yādavas perished?
A16. Because Uddhava was not different from the Lord in spiritual realization. Having conquered his senses and mind, he was deemed fit by Śrī Kṛṣṇa to remain on earth to preserve and share the highest wisdom concerning His divine glories.
