Puranic encyclopaedia
by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222
This page describes the Story of Uddhava included the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani that was translated into English in 1975. The Puranas have for centuries profoundly influenced Indian life and Culture and are defined by their characteristic features (panca-lakshana, literally, 鈥榯he five characteristics of a Purana鈥�).
Story of Uddhava
General information.
A 驰腻诲补惫补. He was a friend and minister of 艢r墨 碍峁涐梗峁嘺. In 惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补, 膧di Parva, Chapter 186, Stanza 18, mention is made that Uddhava was present on the occasion of the 厂惫补测补峁僾补谤补 (marriage) of 顿谤补耻辫补诲墨. It is mentioned in 惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补, 膧di Parva, Chapter 218, Stanza 11, that at a famous celebration held in the mountain of Raivata, Uddhava was present. (See under 厂耻产丑补诲谤腻).
Uddhava was a disciple of 叠峁沨补蝉辫补迟颈, and a man of great intelligence. It was this Uddhava who brought the dowry of 厂耻产丑补诲谤腻 to Indraprastha, when Arjuna married her. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 膧di Parva, Chapter 220, Stanza 30).
Once a king named 艢腻濒惫补 besieged the city of 顿惫腻谤补办腻. At that time Uddhava saved 顿惫腻谤补办腻. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 Vana Parva, Chapter 15, Stanza 9).
The message carried by Uddhava.
碍补峁僺补 sent 础办谤奴谤补 to Amb膩岣峣, and brought 艢r墨 碍峁涐梗峁嘺 to 惭补迟丑耻谤腻. 艢r墨 碍峁涐梗峁嘺 killed 碍补峁僺补 and made Ugrasena king, and stayed in the city of 惭补迟丑耻谤腻 for a time. At that time 艢r墨 碍峁涐梗峁嘺 sent Uddhava to Amb膩岣峣 to know about the well-being of the people there. The moment Uddhava entered Amb膩岣峣, the Gopas and gopa women, (cowherds) 驰补艣辞诲腻 and Nandagopa, all surrounded him to hear about 艢r墨 碍峁涐梗峁嘺. They felt much pleased at knowing that 艢r墨 碍峁涐梗峁嘺 was getting on well. They sent through him many presents to 艢r墨 碍峁涐梗峁嘺. He got all those presents into his chariot and took them to 艢r墨 碍峁涐梗峁嘺 in 惭补迟丑耻谤腻. (叠丑腻驳补惫补迟补, Skandha 10).
The end.
艢r墨 碍峁涐梗峁嘺 informed Uddhava beforehand the fact that the 驰腻诲补惫补 dynasty was going to end. Uddhava felt grief and requested 艢r墨 碍峁涐梗峁嘺 to take him also to 痴补颈办耻峁囜弓丑补 (the abode of 惭补丑腻惫颈峁ａ箛耻). 艢r墨 碍峁涐梗峁嘺 taught Uddhava the doctrine that the body of man and such other things seen in the whole universe were nothing but mere delusion. At that time Uddhava asked 艢r墨 碍峁涐梗峁嘺 twentyone questions about Bandha and 惭辞办峁 (Bondage and deliverance).
To all these questions Sr墨 碍峁涐梗峁嘺 gave him satisfactory answers. (叠丑腻驳补惫补迟补 Skandha 11).
Before the destruction of 顿惫腻谤补办腻, the Yadus left the city. They went to 笔谤补产丑腻蝉补迟墨谤迟丑补, a place on the sea coast and lived there. Uddhava who knew that the destruction was imminent, bade farewell to them and walked away alone. He was filled with a brightness. 艢r墨 碍峁涐梗峁嘺 did not stop him. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 Mausala Parva, Chapter 3).
It is stated in 叠丑腻驳补惫补迟补, Skandha 11, Chapter 29, that Uddhava went to the hermitage of 叠补诲补谤颈办腻 and engaged himself in penance.