- Uddhava
Uddhava (also known as Pavanayadhi) is a character from the
Puranic texts ofHinduism , wherein his is the friend and counsellor ofKrishna theavatar . He plays a significant role in theBhagavata Purana , being taught the processes ofyoga andbhakti directly by Krishna. The principle of these discussions is often referred to as the "Uddhava Gita", similarly to theBhagavad Gita wherein Krishna instructsArjuna . According to some texts Uddhava was also Krishna's cousin, being the son of Devabhaga, who was the brother ofVasudeva , Krishna's father. His physical appearance was so like that of Krishna's that in some instances he is temporarily mistaken for the latter.Message to Vrindavan
In the Bhagavata Purana, after Krishna had defeated
Kamsa , Uddhava came to see him, much to Krishna's pleasure. Krishna then requested Uddhava to visitVrindavan with a message on his behalf to theGopis and other residents of the village, who were missing his company. The content of the message and the feelings aroused by it when heard by the residents of Vrindavan constitute the highest understanding of love of God in the tradition ofGaudiya Vaishnavism .Uddhava Gita
Krishna spoke the Uddhava Gita (also referred to as Hamsa Gita) to Uddhava shortly before he left the world in order to help console Uddhava after his forthcoming departure. It commences with Uddhava's perplexity after he saw the impending destruction of the
Yadava community, in which Krishna was also born into.Uddhava was famous as devotee and a dear friend of Krishna but even he could not fathom why he had not prevented the destruction from happening.
Brahma , the creator, and the celestials implored Krishna to return to his divine abode after the purpose of his descent was over.Krishna then explained why the Yadavas had to be finished, "Made insolent by prowess, heroism and fortune, and inclined to take possession of the whole world, this celebrated race of Yadu has been kept in check by Me as the ocean by its shore. If I depart (from this world) without destroying the huge race of the Yadus, who have grown insolent the entire humanity will meet its destruction..." Greatly saddened by this Uddhava approached Krishna and beseeched him to take him also. In reply Krishna then expounds the Uddhava Gita.
ee also
*
Vaishnavism
*Bhakti yoga
*Narada
*Four Kumaras External links
* [http://www.vedabase.net/sb/11/7/en1 Krishna instructs Uddhava] (vedabase.net)
* [http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/26/stories/2006072606020900.htm The Uddhava Gita] (Hindu.com)
* [http://srimadbhagavatam.com/11/14/en1 Krishna Explains the Yoga System to Sri Uddhava] (srimadbhagavatam.com)
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