Vidura Approaches Maitreya

Uddhava recalls the Lord’s instructions and directs Vidura to receive transcendental knowledge from Maitreya.

Themes of SB 3.4Viraha5 Prema4 Sakhya4 Kīrtana3 from its story phase

Connected storiesThe Yadus' departureJarāsandha and the RājasūyaSāndīpani MuniGovardhana Hill

Who is speakingSūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitUddhava → ViduraEvery voice in this chapter ›

Turning points hereVidura· A new teacher

What this chapter speaks about · the ten subjects

In this chapter

Who · Uddhava, Vidura, Lord Kṛṣṇa, Śrī Baladeva

The story · Asked about Kṛṣṇa, Uddhava became silent and motionless, absorbed in remembering the Lord’s lotus feet. He then told Vidura that Kṛṣṇa, the sun of the world, had disappeared from sight. He recalled the Lord’s childhood activities, His chastisement of Kāliya, His killing of Kaṁsa with Śrī Baladeva, and His protection of Uttarā’s child. Uddhava also remembered the cheerful Lord resting against a young banyan tree and instructing him about His transcendental situation. He directed Vidura to Maitreya, who had received instructions directly from the Lord.

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.

SB 3.2.4 SB 3.3.23 SB 3.4.26 Read chapter 2 ›

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.

The Yadus' departure

SB 11.1 · The curse upon the Yadus SB 11.30 · The Yadus withdraw at Prabhāsa

What it teaches · The withdrawal of the dynasty took place according to Kṛṣṇa’s desire. Hearing this account encourages detachment from the material world.

While at Dvārakā, Uddhava was warned to avoid the distresses which were to follow the disappearance of the Lord and the destruction of the Yadu dynasty.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 3.4.4 (Text 4)

Vidura was informed that the result of the Battle of Kurukṣetra was the annihilation of his friends and relatives as well as the destruction of the Yadu dynasty and also the passing away of the Lord.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 3.4.23 (Text 23)

Read the story in SB 11.1

Jarāsandha and the Rājasūya

SB 10.71–75 · Jarāsandha’s defeat and the Rājasūya SB 10.50–51 · Dvārakā and Mucukunda’s prayer

What it teaches · The liberated kings recognize the danger of pride in temporary power. Kṛṣṇa directs them to worship Him, protect their subjects, and remain steady in happiness and distress.

He is fearful even to kāla, the supreme fear, and yet the Lord is afraid of fighting Jarāsandha and takes shelter in a fort.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 3.4.16 (Text 16)

The Lord used to call Uddhava for consultation when the city was attacked by Jarāsandha and others and when He executed great sacrifices as part of His routine royal work as Lord of Dvārakā.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 3.4.17 (Text 17)

Read the story in SB 10.71–75

Sāndīpani Muni

SB 10.45 · Kṛṣṇa serves His parents and teacher

What it teaches · Kṛṣṇa teaches the duty of supporting parents and others entrusted to one’s care. His conduct toward Sāndīpani also honors humble service to the spiritual master.

While present on this earth, the Lord executed many uncommon activities, even traveling in space to bring down the pārijāta from heaven and recovering the son of His teacher (Sāndīpani Muni) from the regions of death.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 3.4.32 (Text 32)

Read the story in SB 10.45

Govardhana Hill

SB 10.24–27 · Govardhana shelters Vraja

What it teaches · Kṛṣṇa protects His surrendered devotees and removes the false pride of those who imagine themselves independent controllers. His correction is meant for their relief.

It seems contradictory, then, to hear that the Lord personally lifts the Govardhana Hill for the protection of His unalloyed devotees.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 3.4.16 (Text 16)

Read the story in SB 10.24–27

Bhīṣmadeva

SB 1.9 · Bhīṣmadeva’s final attention

What it teaches · Even great thinkers cannot fully understand the Lord’s plan. Bhīṣmadeva’s final prayers show the goal of fixing the mind upon Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

The Lord Himself also declares in Bhagavad-gītā (10.2), “Even the great sages and demigods can know hardly anything about My activities and transcendental potencies.” The right explanation of the Lord’s activities is given by Grandfather Bhīṣmadeva ( Bhāg. 1.9.16) as follows:
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 3.4.16 (Text 16)

Read the story in SB 1.9

Other Bhāgavatam verses Śrīla Prabhupāda quotes here

Same themes in another canto

Both chapters carry these themes strongly in the themes map, an editorial reading of each chapter's story.

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