Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.29.46
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesAffection and Obedience in Separation
“Greatly fearing separation from Him for whom he felt such indestructible affection, Uddhava was distraught, and he could not give up the Lord’s company. Finally, feeling great pain, he bowed down to the Lord again and again, placed the slippers of his master upon his head, and departed.”
What the purport teaches
- Uddhava’s affection for the Lord was indestructible, and separation caused him great pain. He repeatedly bowed down and departed with his master’s slippers upon his head.
- On his way to Badarikāśrama, Uddhava heard of the Lord’s journey to Prabhāsa and turned back. Following Lord Kṛṣṇa, he saw Him alone after the withdrawal of the Yadu dynasty.
- The Personality of Godhead mercifully instructed Uddhava again, along with Maitreya. Uddhava felt his knowledge of the truth reawaken and continued on his way by the Lord’s order.
Try this today
Reread one instruction of Lord Kṛṣṇa that you have studied, and choose one small way to follow it today.
Ask yourself
How can hearing the Lord’s instructions renew your willingness to follow them?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.