Uddhava Geeta: The last message of Lord Krishna
Namaste Shiksharthis!
Did you know that Lord Krishna didn’t just deliver one, but two profound Gitas? While the Bhagavad Gita is widely known, the Uddhav Gita, also known as the Hansa Gita, holds equally deep spiritual wisdom. Delivered in the final days of Lord Krishna’s time on earth, this message to His dear devotee Uddhav provides valuable lessons for living a balanced spiritual life, especially in Kali Yuga. In this blog, we will explore four key teachings from Uddhav Gita that are crucial for anyone seeking spiritual fulfillment today.
Introduction to Uddhav Gita
The Context of Uddhav Gita
Uddhav Gita, often referred to as the “Last Message of Lord Krishna,” is found in the 11th Canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam. This divine dialogue between Lord Krishna and His devotee Uddhav contains over 1,100 shlokas spread across 24 chapters. It is a spiritual guide for the challenges of Kali Yuga, much like the Bhagavad Gita was a guide for Arjuna in the era of Dvapara Yuga.
At the time of Uddhav Gita, Lord Krishna’s departure from this earthly realm was imminent. The Yadu dynasty was in turmoil, embroiled in internal conflicts and civil war, leaving Uddhav deeply distressed. He approached Lord Krishna for guidance, paralleling Arjuna’s own crisis before the Kurukshetra war.
The Connection to Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita and Uddhav Gita are deeply connected, both offering profound spiritual wisdom. However, while the Bhagavad Gita focuses on practical aspects of duty and action in life, Uddhav Gita delves into the more spiritual aspects of existence, including devotion (bhakti), detachment (vairagya), and the path to self-realization.
In Uddhav Gita, Lord Krishna addresses topics such as the ultimate cause of all suffering, the paths to attain spiritual enlightenment, and how to prepare for liberation in the age of Kali Yuga.
Lessons from Uddhav Gita
Lesson 1: Be Objective
One of the first lessons Lord Krishna imparts in Uddhav Gita is to remain detached and objective in life, especially when it comes to personal relationships and worldly attachments. In the second chapter, verse 6, Lord Krishna says:
“नेहाबन्धं विमुच्यात्मा स्वधर्मे स्थिरधीर्भव।
संसारं च त्यजाशेषं यथा सूक्ष्ममिवाततम्॥”
“Detach yourself from illusory attachments and remain firm in your duties. Abandon the worldly bondage just as one discards the subtle cobwebs.”
Here, Lord Krishna is advising Uddhav to rise above emotional bonds that tie one down to the material world. It’s important to note that Krishna is not advocating for abandonment of family or responsibilities, but rather suggesting that one should not be emotionally entangled in the outcomes or behaviors of others.
Being objective in life allows individuals to perform their duties without emotional burden, and this detachment leads to inner peace. Krishna encourages Uddhav to view relationships through a lens of truth rather than attachment.
Lesson 2: Control Your Senses
One of the central teachings of Uddhav Gita is the control of the senses, a challenge especially relevant in Kali Yuga where distractions and temptations are ever-present. In the second chapter, verse 9, Lord Krishna says:
“वशे कुर्वीत विषयानिन्द्रियाणि मनस्विनः।
कुञ्जरोऽपि यथा शत्रुर्निर्जितः सुमहामदः॥”
“One should control their senses, much like a mighty elephant being subdued by its rider.”
Krishna emphasizes that controlling the senses is key to leading a disciplined and spiritually fulfilling life. This mirrors the teaching from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, where it is said:
“योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः”
“Yoga is the restraint of the modifications of the mind.”
In both Uddhav Gita and Yoga Sutras, controlling the mind and senses is considered essential for spiritual progress. Krishna warns Uddhav that failing to control the senses will result in a life governed by desires, leading to suffering.
Lesson 3: Be Inquisitive, Curious, and Logical
Lord Krishna encourages Uddhav, and by extension, all seekers, to cultivate a sense of curiosity and inquiry about the nature of the world and one’s existence. In the second chapter, verse 19, Krishna says:
“कुतोऽयं जायते जन्तुः का वा सृष्टिर्मुहूर्ततः।
किं वेदनं कुतः कोऽसौ विद्यते स्याज्जडोऽथवा॥”
“One should constantly question, ‘What is the origin of this world? What is this body? Who am I?’ Only through inquiry can one escape ignorance.”
This spirit of inquiry is crucial to gaining wisdom and avoiding the traps of dogma and blind belief. Krishna points out that by being inquisitive, one can discern the true nature of reality, thus freeing oneself from the shackles of worldly illusion.
He illustrates this through the story of Dattatreya, the wandering sage who gained knowledge from 24 natural gurus. Dattatreya learned from nature, animals, and life itself, showing that wisdom can be found everywhere if one is curious and open-minded.
Lesson 4: Practice Healthy Detachment
In the fifth chapter, verse 1, Krishna further elaborates on the importance of detachment, particularly from desires that cloud judgment. He says:
“वैराग्यं कर्तुमुत्सृज्य कर्माणि स्वकृतानि च।
समः सर्वत्र भूतानां सुखदुःखे तथोभयः॥”
“Detach from the outcomes of your actions, remain equanimous in joy and sorrow, and view all beings with equal regard.”
Krishna advises Uddhav to practice detachment not only in family life but also in all aspects of existence. Detachment is not about indifference or lack of care, but about freeing oneself from the emotional highs and lows that come from attachment to outcomes.
Krishna also explains how to achieve a state of nishkama karma—action without attachment to results. By observing others and learning from their mistakes, one can develop healthy detachment and thus avoid being ensnared by the material world.
Conclusion: Living Spiritually in Kali Yuga
The teachings of Uddhav Gita, delivered just before the dawn of Kali Yuga, are timeless and applicable to modern life. They provide a roadmap for spiritual seekers looking to live a life of balance, wisdom, and detachment.
By practicing objectivity, controlling the senses, staying inquisitive, and cultivating healthy detachment, we can rise above the illusions of the material world and move closer to self-realization and inner peace. As Krishna says, these lessons will help individuals not only navigate the challenges of Kali Yuga but also attain liberation and union with the divine.
