THEMATIC ESSENCE OF UDDHAVA-GITA Lesson 2: Lord Krsna Instructs Uddhava THEMATIC ESSENCE OF UDDHAVA-GITA Lesson 2: Lord Krsna Instructs Uddhava (SB Canto 11, Chapter 7) 9/9/2011Carucandra Dasa 1

Backdrop of Uddhava-gita  By Krsna’s arrangement, many great sages, headed by Narada, gathered at Piìòäraka, the holy place near Dvärakä. Young boys of the Yadu family, absorbed in a playful mood and dressed Sämba in the guise of a near full-term pregnant woman, inquired the sages whether she is going to have a boy or a girl. The sages angrily cursed the mocking boys by saying, “Fools! She will bear you an iron club that will destroy your entire dynasty.” ( ; Contd). 9/9/2011Carucandra Dasa 2

Backdrop of Uddhava-gita (Contd)  Observing terrible disturbing indicating the imminent destruction of the world, Lord Krsna called together the wise members of the Yadu dynasty and reminded them of the sages’ curse. The Lord convinced them to got to Prabhäça-tirtha, where they could save themselves by the performance of ritual bathing, charity, and so on. The Yadus, in obedience to Krsna’s desire, prepared to journey to Prabhäça. ( )  Upon seeing and hearing the Lord’s conversation with the Yadus, Uddhava approached Krsna in a secluded place, offered Him obeisances, and pleaded profusely to take him along to His own abode. ( ) 9/9/2011Carucandra Dasa 3

4 5) Allegorical story of a pigeon: Excessive affection/attachment is the problem! (52-74) 4) Using intelligence in human body, we can learn from 24 “gürus” all around us in nature (25-51) 1) Renounce all that is material (1-13) 9/9/2011Carucandra Dasa Lesson 2: Lord Krsna Instructs Uddhava (SB 11.7) 2) How to convince those who are not devotees? (14- 18) 3) King Yadu’s conversation with avadhüta brähmaëa (19-24)

1) Renounce all that is material (1-13)  In response to Uddhava’s request, Krsna confirmed that He is indeed preparing to leave for the spiritual world upon being requested by the demigods headed by Lord Brahm ä. This is because His mission on earth had been fully accomplished pending removal the powerful Yadus by arranging to have them annihilate each other. The evil influence of the age of Kali would soon ensue.  He makes a very convincing case for Uddhava to renounce all that is material and to fix himself in the realized transcendental knowledge. In his renouncement order of life, he should begin wondering throughout this material world singing His glories.(Contd) 9/9/2011Carucandra Dasa 5

Why Uddhava should renounce all that is material? (4-12)  Following Lord Krsna’s departure, the earth, being overwhelmed by the age of Kali, will be bereft of all piety, people will be addicted to all types of sinful activities. Therefore, it would be no place for the devotees of Krsna.  He must give up all attachment to everyone and everything that is on bodily platform. Being always Krsna conscious, he should observe all things with equal vision and wonder throughout the earth.(Contd) 9/9/2011Carucandra Dasa 6

Why Uddhava should renounce all that is material? (Contd)  The material world that we perceive thru our mind and the senses is an illusory creation, or temporary, due to mäyä, the external energy of the Lord  mental concoction  material dualities  central role of the mind in transmigration due to storage of conceptions and material desires.  Control of the mind and senses thru seeing Krsna in everyone and everything from within and without  realized transcendental knowledge  peaceful  spontaneously avoids all forbidden activities. 9/9/2011Carucandra Dasa 7

What is the significance of Krsna’s instructions that one must give up all attachments to his family, friends and relatives (material possessions) ?  Our ac ä ryas explain that his does not necessarily mean that one should not have affection for his family, friends, relatives, etc.; rather than having excessive affection being on the bodily conception of life (deh ä tm ä -buddhi), it should be on the spiritual platform— development of love for Krnsa is the foremost. (Contd) 9/9/2011Carucandra Dasa 8

What is the significance of Krsna’s instructions…? (Contd)  It is the excessive affection (at é -sneha) for one’s family and personal possessions that is the real problem  the mind stores the conception  allegorical story of the pigeon  The practicing devotee, however, does not and should not ignore his duties towards his subordinates, but he introduces Krsna consciousness within his family and circle of acquaintances  affection on the spiritual platform 9/9/2011Carucandra Dasa 9

2) How to convince those who are not devotees? (14-18)  While Uddhava fully appreciates that it is for his supreme benefit that Krsna explained the procedure for giving up the material world through the process of renunciation.  However, he opined to Krsna that for those whose minds are attached to sense gratification, especially those who are not His devotees, such renunciation of material enjoyment is extremely difficult. So what is the recourse for them? 9/9/2011Carucandra Dasa 10

3) King Yadu’s conversation with avadhüta brähmaëa (19-24)  Krsna responds by pointing out that the soul in a human body with the use of his superior intelligence and consciousness can convince himself by being his own “güru”, of those in nature all around him, if he is observant enough.  Later on, however, Uddhava-gita does indeed establishes the need of a bona fide güru for a seriously committed soul.  To further substantiate, Krsna cites an historical conversation between King Yadu and an avadhüta brähmaëa.(Contd) 9/9/2011Carucandra Dasa 11

3) King Yadu’s conversation with avadhüta brähmaëa (19-24; Contd)  King Yadu was amazed and became inquisitive about a wondering brähmaëa, who was without any kind of material possessions and in complete disregard of his conventional bodily needs. And yet he was at complete peace with himself and transcendental realizations.  Avadh üta replied that he had received various instructions from 24 different gürus—the earth, wind, sky, water, fire, and so on. Because of the realization of this knowledge, he was able to wonder around in a liberated state. 9/9/2011Carucandra Dasa 12

4) Using intelligence in human body, we can learn from 24 “gürus” all around us in nature (25-51) 5) Allegorical story of a pigeon: Excessive affection/attachment is the problem! (52-74) 9/9/2011Carucandra Dasa 13

A brief synopsis of what the avadhüta brähmaëa learned from his “gürus” in surrounding material nature 9/9/2011Carucandra Dasa 14 “Gru” in the material nature “Güru” in the material nature He had learned from how… Earthto be sober, to serve others, and to dedicate one’s whole life for the benefit of others. Windto be satisfied with merely keeping the body & soul together, and to remain uncontaminated by the body & sense objects. Skythe soul, which pervade all material substances, is both indivisible and imperceptible. Waterto be naturally clear and purifying. Fireto burn to ashes all the past and future sinful reactions of his subordinates/worshipers. (Contd)

A brief synopsis…(Contd) 9/9/2011Carucandra Dasa 15 “Gru” in the material nature “Güru” in the material nature He had learned from how… Moonthe material body undergoes growth and dwindling. SunTo avoid entanglement even while coming into contact with sense objects, and about the two different modes of perception based on seeing the real form of the soul and seeing false designative coverings. Pigeonexcessive affection and attachments are not good for anyone. This human body is the open door to liberation, but if one becomes attached to family life like the pigeon, one is compared to a person who has climbed up to a high place just to fall down again.