SRI KRISHNA LEELAMRUTHAM (THE NECTARINE STORIES OF THE DEEDS OF LORD KRISHNA)

 46. UDDHAVA'S VRINDAVAN VISIT

Without Krishna and Balaram, Nanda Maharaja came back to Vrindavan. Gopis understood that Krishna was neither a cheater nor a promise keeper but He was the indweller of all beings. Actually Lord Muraari was not absent in Vrindavan. His expansions, Vasudeva and Sankarshana were present in Mathura where as the original forms of Them were present in Vrindavan. They expanded as bhava to the inhabitants of Vrindavan. So, the Lord always stays in Vrindavan. There was a discussion when Nanda Maharaja was about to leave from Mathura that how Krishna and Balaram could live without him. Therefore there was a discussion. Since kamsa died, Krishna and Balaram lived with Their original parents. The sacred thread ceremony was done with great pomp. Vasudeva and Devaki desired to give them a perfect education as They considered it as a duty. This is one reason. The other reason is that demons Dhantavakra and Jarasandha would disturb and take revenge on the innocent people of Vrindavan. So, it was important for Nanda Maharaja to be present in Vrindavan. Certainly Mother Yashoda, Nanda Maharaja and Gopis couldn't imagine the pangs of separation from the Lord. But Lord Muraari made them to be always ecstatic and devoted as they constantly recite His pastime activities and glories. The inhabitants of Vrindavan, Gopis, Mother Yashoda and Nanda Maharaja recited the pastime activities and glories of the Lord. They spoke as follows, "In this way our Krishna used to play with cowherd boys! In this way our Krishna return back from banking the cows in river Yamuna. Krishna stands unique and beautiful in the midst of dust particles created by the calves when they run. In this way Krishna smiles and speak to us like a nectar of honey. We would be ecstatic when He blows the enchanted music of flute!". Like this, the Gopis and inhabitants of Vrindavan recited His magnificent activities. Lord Krishna and Lord Balaram's presence was actually necessary in Mathura. 

At the time, Lord Krishna's cousin, Uddhava came to visit the Lord. Uddhava was the son of Devabhaga, the son of Vasudeva's brother. Uddhava was raised in Mathura. He was well educated and was so intelligent. He was the disciple of teacher Brihaspathi. His decisions would be very sharp. When he was in Mathura, he silently tolerated Kamsa's arrogance. Anyways, Lord Krishna overthrew the pain of inhabitants of Mathura by slaying him. Uddhava and Lord Krishna had similar physical features. Both were indifferent by physical appearance. When Uddhava came, Lord Krishna was so pleased to meet His dearest friend and wanted him to convey a message to the inhabitants of Vrindavan. As they were immersed in the pangs of separation from the Lord, He told Uddhava to convey His message to the people. This reveals how responsive the Lord is. His presence was necessary in Mathura but at the same time, people of Vrindavan expected the arrival of the Lord. So He instantly asked Uddhava to visit Vrindavan and to convey His message. Being dearest to Lord Krishna, He wanted His friend to know the exalted position and love of the Vrindavan people. Understanding the highest degree of the pure and devoted Gopis, Lord Krishna asked Uddhava to visit Vrindavan immediately. Lord Muraari uttered, "My dear Uddhava, please go and visit Vrindavan and see how the Gopis are constantly immersed in the thoughts of Me! Observe how they have dedicated themselves and surrendered unto Me! Such pure souls are more dear to Me. Now they are in the feeling of separation. They haven't sleep well for my arrival. So, I want you to observe their love and devotion".

As requested by the Lord, Uddhava sat on a chariot and reached Vrindavan at sunset. Dust particles were covered when he stepped down from the chariot. He saw white calves all over the land and he heard the sound of milking of cows. He saw the houses decorated with beautiful flowers and there was a water pot in front of everyone's house. Each and everybody's house was illuminated with sparkling lights and lamps and the smell of incense was awesome. He saw magnificent lakes filled with lotus flowers and swans. Uddhava entered Nanda Maharaja's house. He received a great reception from them. Nanda Maharaja understood that Uddhava was the dearest friend to Krishna. Nanda Maharaja asked, "Dear Uddhava, how is my friend Vasudeva there? We are elate that the demon Kamsa was killed. Meanwhile, how is my children Krishna and Balaram. Does Krishna remembers us? His Govardhan Lila and Vrindavan pastime activities? We still recite his wonderful activity of how Krishna saved us from the devastating rainfall by holding the large Govardhan hill with His little finger for seven days! We still remember how He killed the envy demons, Putana, Shakatasura, Trinavarda, Vatsasura, Bakasura, Aghasura, Dhenukasura, Pralambhasura, Aristasura and Keshi. We even remember how He saved us from the forest fire! His thoughts are constantly cycling in our mind. We know that He is Lord Narayana Himself! Because, nobody in this universe can possess the strength of ten thousand elephants!". When Nanda Maharaja was reciting His pastimes, He couldn't speak anymore after that. Mother Yashoda was constantly in thoughts of her beloved child. As soon as Uddhava saw their exalted position in Lord's consciousness, He spoke as follows, "My dear mother and father, You are always deserved to be in the highest degree as you mediate the beautiful activities of the Lord during your lifetime! Actually Lord Krishna is present in each and every living and non living being. He is the Supreme soul and we people are just wheeling around His influence of Maya. You both need to be worried. Krishna has sent me to convey the message that He will be coming to Vrindavan after finishing His work in Mathura. He promised that He will come and visit Vrindavan for sure!". 

The whole night went in spending time with Nanda Maharaja about Krishna. At the morning, Gopis finished there devotional service to the Lord and sprinkled butter mixed with yogurt all over their house. After finishing this, they sat and began to churn butter and simultaneously sang the pastime beautiful activities and glories of Lord Muraari. While they were churning, their earrings moved to and fro and they looked so beautiful. Completing their household activities, they came to offer respectful obeisances to Nanda Maharaja and mother Yashoda. As soon as they saw the golden chariot, they discussed among themselves, "To whom this chariot belong to? I think Akrura has came here with another cruel plan". Another Gopi said, "O ladies, Akrura had taken away Krishna in this same chariot. So he returned again with Krishna?". Some said, "Don't ever think that Akrura have come here with Krishna. He was the one who taken away Krishna and leaving us as dead bodies! Without our Krishna, we are nothing but dead bodies! What further this Akrura going to do!". When they were speaking in this way, Uddhava came out and saw them after completing his devotional service to the Lord.   

TO BE CONTINUED.....