Namaskaram to Uddhavaji!

As we all know Uddhavaji is one of he greatest devotees of Bhagavan. There is a small story in which Krishna erases the small lining of ahambhaavam (or ego and pride) emerged in his mind due to his scholarship. Uddhavaji's knowledge of vedas, upanishads and sutras were commendable and once he told bhagavan that in spite of his vast knowledge of scriptures, he was very unhappy that he was not given the title of Maharshi or Maha -Rishi.

 

As usual Lord Krishna planned a drama. He told Uddhavaji to go and see his heart throb Radhadevi in Vrindavanam and give a message. Uddhavaji agreed, got ready and asked Krishna what was the message to be delivered to Radhadevi. Krishna just smiled and waved good bye. Uddhavaji thought it was strange and anyway did not ask anything more and started his journey towards Vrindavanam. On the way, he was very worried about the message he had to deliver to Radhadevi. How  can he just go and see her with nothing to tell or give? Finally he decided to write a message "I love you" himself on a piece of paper as if Krishna wrote and took it with him.

 

He reached Vrindavana and Radhadevi gave him a warm welcome and then he handed over "Krishna's message" to her. Radhadevi read it and burst into laughter. Then Uddhava asked why she was laughing this hard. Then she read what Krishna wrote to her, "Uddhava is still learning and even though he thinks his knowledge is complete his studies are incomplete." Uddhava's face turned white!

 

Then Radhadevi said, "Uddhava, I need no message from him and I  know he will not send any message to me. We are two bodies, but same soul. My love and trust in Him is limitless and he reciprocates with the same love and trust. I know why he sent you here with no message. He wanted to erase your ego and pride from your mind about your knowledge and also wanted you to trust and surrender to him. Then He will award you with the title of Maharshi. Your pride and ego is standing between you and sat-chit-anandam. When your knowledge and studies become powerful and mature enough to erase your ahambhaavam, then you will experience that bliss. Uddhava, let us do prananamam to Him and His kindness!"

 

Enlightened Uddhava prostrated before the great Bhaktha Radhadevi and came back to Krishna. Krishna could see the halo of enlightenment surrounding Uddhava's face and he gave the title Maha Rishi and Udhdhava did not care about the title any more. It did not mean anything to him anymore. He was experiencing bliss!

 

Let us pray to Uddhavaji who is carrying the paadukam of Bhagavan and walking towards Badari: 

 

Shree paaduke shirasi paavitha bhoothale cha 

roopam thavaatmani krupaamruthavarshyavarnyam 

Dhruthva sa baashpanayanam badaree prayaantham

Bhakthyartha Uddhavamaham pranamaami dhanyam

 

I bow again and again and pray to bless me with unconditional love and Bhakthi, to that blessed Uddhava, who is carrying the paadukaas of Bhagavan that purified the whole universe on his head, who is meditating the kind and most beautiful form of Krishnaa which is beyond any words of description, who is profusely crying with Bhakthi and who is walking towards Badari.

 

Sree Krishna paaduka yugma dhaariNe! Mahithatmane! Uddhavaaya namasthubhyam Bakthim manasi vardhaya!