THEMATIC ESSENCE OF UDDHAVA-GITA Lesson 1: Course Orientation & Introduction 9/1/2011Carucandra Dasa 1

Introduction  What is Uddhava-g é t ä ?  How is it similar to more popular Bhagavad- g é t ä, and yet Krsna reveals knowledge in Uddhava-g é t ä that is even beyond Bhagavad-g é t ä ?  What is the unique importance of Uddhava- g é t ä?  Who is Uddhava?  An overview, or a glimpse, of Uddhava-g é t ä. 9/1/2011Carucandra Dasa 2

What is Uddhava-gétä? The instructions or teachings of Çré Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead to Uddhava–Krsna’s other song! 9/1/2011Carucandra Dasa 3

How is it similar to more popular Bhagavad-gétä, and yet Krsna reveals knowledge in Uddhava-gétä that He had not spoken even in Bhagavad-gétä?  These are the instructions/teachings of Krsna in to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kuruk ñ etra versus those to Uddhava on the eve of His leaving this material world.  Bg is part of Mah ä bh ä rata in 700 verses versus UG that of Ç r é mad Bh ä gavatam in 1,030 verses (11 th Canto, Chapters 7-29). (Contd) 9/1/2011Carucandra Dasa 4

How is it similar…and yet…even beyond Bhagavad-g é t ä? (Contd)  Arjuna, as the warrior on the battlefield and great deal was at stake, was perplexed about his duties. Therefore, Krsna emphasized the importance of carrying out one’s prescribed duties, but while remembering Him at the same time. Thus, His teachings were meant for the conditioned souls, who are materially entangled.(Contd) 9/1/2011Carucandra Dasa 5

How is it similar…and yet…even beyond Bhagavad-g é t ä? (Contd)  In contrast, Uddhava was already renounced and was to carry Krnsa’s final instructions to such exalted devotees (paramhamsas) as the Nara-Näräyaëa Åsis in Badrikäçrama, who were already enlightened in the transcendental knowledge, for later dissemination to the humanity in general—Instructions tailor- made depending upon recipient students. 9/1/2011Carucandra Dasa 6

What is the unique importance of Uddhava-g é t ä?  Krsna’s final instructions to Uddhava the night before leaving this material world for His eternal Abode, Goloka V å nd ä vana Dh ä ma, in the spiritual world.  The eternal relationship between the individual spirit souls and the Supreme Soul, Çré Krsna— sambandha-j ïä na, is emphasized in Uddhava-g é t ä.  Again Krsna emphasizes the importance of bhakti- yoga, or cultivating loving devotion unto Him (Krsna-prema).  Spiritual oneness to all things and beings, and yet the Supreme Lord remains unique and transcendentally situated individual. 9/1/2011Carucandra Dasa 7

Who is Uddhava ?  Uddhava is Krsna’s paternal cousin, but even more than that he is Krsna’s most confidential associate, who was devoted to Krsna from his very childhood.  In appearance, Uddhava was strikingly similar to Krsna so much so that he was often mistaken almost as a twin of Krnsa, even by the gopés of Våndävana.  Not only Krsna had chosen Uddhava as His personal messenger to pacify the gopis, who were in great pain of separation from Him, but also he was chosen by the Lord to carry his final instructions to the Nara- Näräyaëa Åsis in Badrikäçrama. 9/1/2011Carucandra Dasa 8

An overview, or a glimpse, of Uddhava-g é t ä  Uddhava knew Krsna was preparing to leave for His eternal Abode and just couldn’t tolerate the impending pain of separation from the Lord. So He wanted to have Krsna take with Him along.  But the Lord had a mission for him to preach as materially detached and to carry His final instructions to the sages of Badrikäçrama. (Contd) 9/1/2011Carucandra Dasa 9

An overview, or a glimpse, of Uddhava-g é t ä (Contd)  Explains in great details with alternate practical analogies the knowledge that He had previously summarized in Bg.  He begins with emphasizing the importance of material detachment and the eternality of soul as opposed to the material body.  He then proceeds with emphasizing the importance of recognizing some 24 “spiritual masters” in the material nature all around us, such as the earth, the air, the sky, etc—even Pingal ä, the professional prostitute!(Contd) 9/1/2011Carucandra Dasa 10

An overview…(contd)  Some of the topics the Lord explains in great details include the significance of controlling the addiction of sexual over-indulgence, the 3 modes of material nature, associating with advanced devotees, proper understanding of the Vedic scriptures (karma-känòa versus karma-yoga leading ultimately to bhakti-yoga, complexities of karma, vikarma and akarma), sänkhya-yoga and jïäna-yoga, the art of meditation best accomplished by Deity worship, varnäçrama-dharma, and then finally culminating into the supremacy of pure bhakti- yoga. 9/1/2011Carucandra Dasa 11