The Disappearance of Lord Kṛṣṇa

Yudhiṣṭhira observes disturbing omens and questions Arjuna about Kṛṣṇa and their relatives.

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Themes of SB 1.14Vairāgya4 Viraha4 Dharma3 Moha3 from its story phase

Connected storiesUddhavaKing YayātiAkrūraAditi

Who is speakingSūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaEvery voice in this chapter ›

What this chapter speaks about · the ten subjects

In this chapter

Who · Yudhiṣṭhira, Arjuna, the Pāṇḍavas and Kṛṣṇa

The story · While Arjuna was away in Dvārakā, Yudhiṣṭhira observed disturbing signs in nature and increasing greed, anger and pride among people. He feared that the world would lose the good fortune of Kṛṣṇa’s presence. Arjuna, overcome by separation, said that Kṛṣṇa had left him and that his extraordinary power was gone. He turned again to Govinda’s instructions, which relieve the burning heart in every circumstance. The Pāṇḍavas retired and meditated without interruption on Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet as the supreme goal.

What it teaches · Arjuna recognized that his strength depended on Kṛṣṇa’s mercy. The Lord’s instructions relieve distress, and His lotus feet are the supreme goal of religious life.

SB 1.15.5 SB 1.15.27 SB 1.15.46 Read chapter 14 ›

Beyond this chapter

Connected stories across the Bhāgavatam

Stories told in other chapters that this chapter's verses or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purports bring in, the other Bhāgavatam verses the purports quote, and stories in other cantos with the same themes. Each link shows the sentence it comes from.

Uddhava

SB 3.2–4 · Uddhava remembers Kṛṣṇa SB 10.46–47 · Uddhava witnesses Vraja’s love SB 11.6–7 · Uddhava asks to accompany Kṛṣṇa

What it teaches · Remembering Kṛṣṇa fills His devotee with deep spiritual feeling. Devotional service enables one to place faith in the Lord’s transcendental activities.

Also, Śrutadeva, Uddhava and others, Nanda, Sunanda and other leaders of liberated souls who are constant companions of the Lord are protected by Lord Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa.
In the verse · SB 1.14.32-33 (Texts 32-33)

The constant companions of Lord Kṛṣṇa, such as Uddhava, are all liberated souls, and they descended along with Lord Kṛṣṇa to this material world to fulfill the mission of the Lord.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 1.14.32-33 (Texts 32-33)

Read the story in SB 3.2–4

King Yayāti

SB 9.18–19 · Yayāti gives up enjoyment

What it teaches · Lust and greed cannot be satisfied even by all the world’s wealth. One who understands the temporary nature of material happiness turns away from pursuing it.

Bhīma was approached by Hiḍimbī from a community lower than the śūdras, and Yayāti refused to marry the daughter of Śukrācārya because of Śukrācārya’s being a brāhmaṇa.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 1.14.42 (Text 42)

Read the story in SB 9.18–19

Akrūra

SB 10.38–40 · Akrūra’s journey and vision SB 10.48–49 · Akrūra’s mission to the Pāṇḍavas

What it teaches · Kṛṣṇa is kindly disposed toward His surrendered devotees. Akrūra’s prayers teach that the Lord’s appearances remove the unhappiness of those who joyfully chant His glories.

Are Akrūra, Jayanta, Gada, Sāraṇa and Śatrujit all happy?
In the verse · SB 1.14.28-29 (Texts 28-29)

Read the story in SB 10.38–40

Aditi

SB 8.16–17 · Aditi’s devoted worship

What it teaches · Kaśyapa teaches that devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead is infallible. Aditi’s attentive worship pleased the Lord and brought His personal response.

He went to Indraloka also with Satyabhāmā, and she was received by Śacīdevī, who introduced her to the mother of the demigods, Aditi.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 1.14.37 (Text 37)

Read the story in SB 8.16–17

Narakāsura and the captive princesses

SB 10.59 · The captive princesses are freed

What it teaches · Kṛṣṇa removes the distress of those who seek refuge in Him. His mercy extends even to the frightened son of the enemy He has defeated.

After killing Narakāsura, Lord Kṛṣṇa visited the palace of Narakāsura accompanied by Satyabhāmā.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 1.14.37 (Text 37)

Read the story in SB 10.59

Rukmiṇī

SB 10.52–54 · Rukmiṇī chooses Kṛṣṇa

What it teaches · Hearing Kṛṣṇa’s qualities can awaken firm attachment to Him. The episode also warns that pride in power and possessions leads people to offend others.

After the departure of Lord Kṛṣṇa, when Arjuna visited Dvārakā, all the queens, including Satyabhāmā and Rukmiṇī, lamented for the Lord with great feeling.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 1.14.37 (Text 37)

Read the story in SB 10.52–54

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