Uddhava Gita

1. The Curse on the Yadu Dynasty
2. Maharaja Nimi Meets the Nine Yogendras

Introduction

Vyasa, Reputed Author

Vyasa, talented writer

Vyasa is central to the major Hindu traditions. His name, Vyása, means "split, differentiate, or describe". He is also called Badarayana (because the island Vyasa was born on, is said to have been covered by Badara (Indian jujube) trees), Veda Vyasa ("compiler of the Vedas") and Krishna Dvaipayana ("dark-skinned and island-born"). He is accredited as the scribe of the Vedas and supplementary texts to it, such as eighteen Puranas. Vyasa is held to be a Chiranjivin (long lived, or immortal), who remains alive somewhere, somehow, according to general Hindu belief.

Vyasa is presented as both as the author of, and an important character in the long Mahábhárata poem, making occasional appearances in the story as a spiritual guide to the young princes. The son of a ferrymanor fisherman's daughter and the wandering sage Parashara, he was born on an island in the river Yamuna. According to an ancient practice his mother requested Vyasa to produce children after her husband and two other sons died. The practice is called Niyoga. Vyasa fathered two princes with the two widows of one of his brothers, who was a king.

But there was something wrong with each of the two princes. One was blind and the other pale, so the two widows sent a well composed maid in place of themselves for a third try. Vyasa thus became grandfather to the warring parties in the Mahabharata epic, which the Bhagavad Gita is a part of - and the healthy child Vidura.

Vyasa had another son, Shuka, born of his own wife.

Vyasa told stories and his scribe Ganesh wrote them down in Sanskrit. The Mahábhárata is structured as a narration by a professional story-teller to an assembly of sages (rishis, seers).

Vyasa (left) while dictating to his scribe.

Vyasa is also credited with the writing of the eighteen major, if not all, Puránas. His son Shuka is the narrator of the Bhagavat-Purána. In this work the Uddhava Gita appears toward the end.

The Brahma Sutra is attributed to Badarayana - which makes him the proponent of Vedanta, which is called the crest-jewel school of Hindu philosophy. Vyasa is also credited as the author of a commentary on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Vyasa is credited with the latter work also by some.

On Krishna

Then Krishna thought to himself, "Although some may say that the earth's burden is now gone, in My opinion it is not yet gone. For there still remains my own dynasty. Its strength is unbearable for the earth." [3]

Krishna further thought, "No outside force could ever bring about the defeat of this family. But I will inspire a quarrel within the dynasty, and that quarrel will act just like a fire created from the friction of bamboo in a grove." [4]

Krishna now wanted to annihilate his dynasty, and so he did. [5-10]

Then time had come for Krishna to leave the earth plane too. But first he taught his friend Uddhava a whole lot. These teachings are called Uddhava Gita, also Hamsa Gita. It is in the 11th book of the Srimad Bhagavata, from chapter 7 onwards. Also, Uddhava Gita gist is found on another page: [LINK]

The Bhagavata Purana

The Bhagavata Purana is one of the classics of Hinduism, and very popular. The work is a story that is told by a Suta to a gathering of sages who ask to be taught. Suta then relates the Bhagavatam as he has heard it from Vyasa's son Suka.

There are twelve sections or cantos in all. The tenth has stories of Krishna's boyhood, youth, manhood and pastimes. The eleventh contains instructions to various devoted followers, and the Uddhava Gita forms part of that larger scheme.

According to Hindu tradition the Bhagavata Purana was authored by Veda Vyasa. The Bhagavata Purana is to followers of Vishnu - they constitute nine tenths of all Hindus - what the Bible is to Christians: central for the faith.

At bottom this Purana is ancient.

The Bhagavata Purana is told to someone who prepares for his impending death, and is told of what is to be the goal of life. The Uddhava Gita is similar to the Bhagavad Gita in that it is a teaching poem (narrative); that Krishna instructs a follower; and conditions are pressing.

In Puranas, Uddhava is the friend and counsellor of Krishna, and plays a significant role in being taught yoga directly by Krishna. Uddhava approaches Krishna and begs him to take him with him when Krishna is about to depart. Instead Krishna expounds the Uddhava Gita to him, in part as consolation.

Technical Information about "Blessed Dear" or -

I have drawn on and simplified the form of Srila Prabhupada's English translation throughout, without altering the main content.

The spelling is British English.

Diacritical marks have been omitted.

Ceremonial "O's" are largely dropped.

I have preferred common spelling of some words. Thus: Krishna instead of Krsna.

Appellatives have been simplified to assist the reader: "My Dear" and "O my dear" may be fine, but "Dear" is shorter and to the point.

As a result of such editorial moves, "the Supreme Personality of the Godhead", is translated into 'Lord', which covers the deep meaning, for the Sanskrit word that is translated as "the Supreme Personality of the Godhead" in many places, is Bhagavan. It stands for 'personal God', 'Blessed One', or 'Lord'. Thus, Krishna in the original Sanskrit is called Bhagavan, "the blessed or fortunate one". The Sanskrit word comes from the noun bhaga, which means "fortune, wealth". Added meanings are "owning fortune, blessed, prosperous, illustrious, divine, venerable, holy". I simply use Lord for it throughout.

"Blessed Lord" and so on are translations of Bhagavan, and so is "The Supreme Personality of the Godhead", which Prabhupada uses a lot in his translation. With 'Lord' used for Krishna here, instead of 'Lord Brahma' there is 'Brahma' too.

These combined moves along with some others may help making the text much easier to read. As for the general stand that is convenyed by this editing, compare.

Pride once entered into the heart of Arjuna, another friend of Krishna. Krishna, reading the heart of his friend, took him one day for a walk. They had not gone far when Arjuna saw a strange Brahmin eating dry grass as food, while carrying a sword.

Arjuna went up to the man and said: "Sir, you live on dry grass. Why then do you carry this sharp sword?"

The Brahmin: "It is to punish four persons if I chance to meet them."

Arjuna: "Who are they?"

The Brahmin: The first is the wretch Narada."

Arjuna: "Why, what has he done?"

The Brahmin: "Why, look at the audacity of that fellow; he is perpetually keeping my Lord awake with his songs and music. He has no consideration whatever for the comfort of the Lord. Day and night, in and out of season, he disturbs the peace of the Lord by his prayers and praises."

Arjuna: "Who is the second person?"

The Brahmin: "The impudent Draupadi."

Arjuna: "What is her fault?"

The Brahmin: "Look at the inconsiderate audacity of the woman. She was so rash as to call my beloved Lord just at the moment he was going to dine. He had to give up his dinner and go to the Kamyaka Vana to save the Pandavas from the curse of Durvasa. And her presumption went so far that she even caused my beloved Lord to eat the impure remnant of her own food."

Arjuna: "Who is the third?"

The Brahmin: "It is the heartless Prahlada. He was so cruel that he did not hesitate for a moment to ask my Lord to enter the boiling cauldron of oil, to be trodden under the heavy feet of the elephants and to break through an adamantine pillar."

Arjuna: "Who is the fourth?"

The Brahmin: "The wretch Arjuna."

Arjuna: "Why, what fault has he committed?"

The Brahmin: "Look at his felony. He made my beloved Lord take the mean office of a charioteer of his car in the great war of Kurukshetra."

Arjuna was amazed at the depth of the Brahmin's devotion and love, and he gave up thinking that he was the best devotee of all. [Ramakrishna tale: Tas, tale 77, retold]

Thus, in order not to look like some God-possessive wretch, I prefer "Dear" over "My Dear" throughout.

Many thanks to the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust for kind permission to publish Srila Prabhupada's translation with the small modifications of form, as I have mentioned. There are no changes of content. And those who would like to see how the Sanskrit runs, get a purport for any verse, or access the verses without formal simplifications and compare, such material is online.

On the next few pages is just a little gist to prepare for the Uddhava Gita itself, which takes off after chapter six.

- Tormod Kinnes

1. The Curse on the Yadu Dynasty

In this chapter it is told that all grown males of Krishna's dynasty were destroyed as a result of a boyish prank. Maybe the prank was used as an excuse by Krishna to do away with many kinfolks. Anyway, here is how it came about:

Many great sages had gathered near Krishna's capital Dvarka on the West Coast of India. The young boys of the family also arrived. These boys dressed someone to look like a pregnant woman about to give birth, and asked the sages about the so-called pregnancy. The sages cursed the mocking boys by saying, "She will give birth to a club that will destroy your family."

When Krishna's family members lifted the garment they found a club. To nullify the curse they had the club ground to powder and thrown into the sea, but that was not good enough to avert it. A fish swallowed the last remaining lump of iron, and the waves carried all the bits of ground powder to the shore. There they were absorbed into a grove of canes. Fishermen caught the fish, and a hunter used the iron lump found in its belly to fashion an arrow - an arrow that eventually hit Krishna in the foot and caused his death.

2. Maharaja Nimi Meets the Nine Yogendras

Tas: Ramakrishna. Tales and Parables of Sri Ramakrishna. 5th ed. Madras: Ramakrishna Math, 1974.



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