Uddhav’s Bitter Questions to Krishna

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Uddhav was in the service of Shri Krishna as a charioteer since childhood, but he neither expressed any desire nor asked anything from Shri Krishna. When Krishna completed his avatar era and was ready to go to Gaulok, he called Uddhav to himself and said: Dear Uddhav, many people have received something from me in this 'Avatar period', but you never asked for anything! Now ask for something, I want to give something to you

 

Uddhav did not ask for anything even after this. He only wanted to clear his doubts which were arising in his mind by seeing Krishna's teachings and his gratitude. This way it became a session which not only cleared the doubt’s of Uddhav but also it’s very helpful to clear all common doubts in our mind.

 

Uddhav’s question: 

I could not understand many things in the events of Mahabharata! Your 'teachings' remained different, while 'personal life' looked somewhat different! Will you explain the reason to pacify my knowledge thirst?

 

Sri Krishna’s answer:

Uddhav, What I said to Arjuna in the battlefield of Kurukshetra was "Bhagavad Gita". Today whatever you want to know and what I will answer to you, it will be known as "Uddhav-Gita". That is why I have given you this opportunity. Feel free to ask.

 

Uddhav’s question: 

O Krishna, first of all, tell me who is a true friend?

 

Sri Krishna’s answer:

A true friend is one who helps his friend during his need without getting any request from his friend.

 

Uddhav’s question: 

Krishna, you were a dear friend of the Pandavas. They always relied on you as a true friend. Krishna, you are a great scholar. You have the knowledge of past, present and future. But as per the definition of a true friend that you have given, do not you think that you did not work according to that definition? Why didn't you stop Dharmaraj Yudhishthira from playing the game of gamble?

Well, you did not stop him, but you also did not turn the luck in favour of Dharmaraj either! You could have made, Yudhishthira won in the game if you wanted! At least you could have stopped him after losing money, kingdom and even himself! 

 

After that when he started to stake his brothers, you could have reached the hall! You did not do that too? After that, when Duryodhana called the Pandavas as always having good luck, he inspired Draupadi to be staked and lured them to return everything they had lost on winning, at least then you could have intervened! By your divine power, you could have made the dice in support of Dharmaraj!

 

Instead, you intervened when Draupadi was almost losing her honour, then you claimed to save Draupadi's honour by giving her clothes! But how can you make this claim as well?

 

A man drags her to the hall, and strips her in front of so many people!

What is the honour of a woman left? What did you save?

 

If you did not help your loved ones in times of crisis, how can you be called a true friend?

Tell me, if you did not help in the time of crisis, what is the use? Is this your duty? 

 

Asking these questions, Uddhav was strangled and tears started flowing from his eyes. These are not questions of Uddhav alone. These questions arise in everyone's mind while reading Mahabharata! Uddhav asked the above questions to Shri Krishna on behalf of us.

 

Sri Krishna’s answer:

Dear Uddhav, it is the law of the creator that only the prudent wins. At that time Duryodhana had a conscience, Dharmaraja did not. This is why Dharmaraja was defeated.

 

Duryodhana had enough money to gamble, but he did not know how to play dice, so he used his maternal uncle Shakuni for playing the game. This is the conscience. Dharmaraja could also think similarly and offered to me as his cousin that I would play on his behalf. Just think who would have won if Shakuni and I had played? Do the dice move according to him or according to me?

Let you forget that he did not include me in the game, he can be forgiven for this. But he made another big mistake out of his lost conscience!

 

And that -

He pleaded with me not to come to the hall until I was called! Because they wanted to play the game secretly from me because of their misfortune. They didn't want me to know that they were gambling! Thus they tied me to their prayers! I was not allowed to enter the hall!

 

Even then, I was waiting outside the room when will someone call me! Bhima, Arjun, Nakula and Sahadeva have all forgotten me! Just kept on cursing their fate and Duryodhana!

 

At the behest of his brother, when Dussashan dragged Draupadi to the hall by dragging her hair, Draupadi struggled according to her ability! Even then she did not call me! Her intelligence was awakened when Dussashan began to strip her! When she couldn’t rely on self-reliance and told-

'Hari, Hari, Abhyam Krishna, Abhyam'

 

When I got the request, I got an opportunity to protect her honour. As soon as I was called, I arrived without delay. Now tell me my mistake in this situation? "

 

Udhav’s question: 

Krishna, your explanation is certainly impressive, but I am not completely satisfied! Can I ask another question? With Krishna's permission, Uddhav asked: Does this mean that you will come only when you are being called? Will you not automatically come to help your devotee surrounded by trouble?

 

 

Sri Krishna’s answer:

Uddhava In this creation, every person's life is governed by his or her own karma. Neither I run it, nor do I interfere in it. I am only a 'witness'. I always stay close to you and see what is happening.

This is the duty of God.

 

Uddhav’s question: 

Wow, very good Krishna! So this means that you will keep standing close to us and observe all our misdeeds? We will keep on doing sins, and you will continue to watch us as witnesses? Do you want us to keep on doing sins? Continue to tie the bundle of sins and suffer its consequences?

 

Sri Krishna’s answer:

Uddhav, you understand the deep meaning of words. When you feel that I am near you every moment as a witness, will you be able to do anything wrong or bad? You certainly will not be able to do anything bad. When you forget this and start understanding that you can do anything by hiding from me, only then you get into trouble! Dharmaraja's ignorance was that he believed that he could gamble without my knowledge!

 

If he had understood that I am present as a witness with everyone at all times, the form of the game would be something else?

 

Uddhav told:

This is a very deep vision. What a great truth. Calling God for our help, through 'prayer' and 'worship', is just as per our thoughts. As soon as we start believing that without 'God', the leaf does not move! Then we begin to feel his presence as a witness. All the trouble happens when we forget it and get immersed in worldliness.

 

Even we can’t do anything wrong by chanting the name of God in our mind. Which is easy as compare to meditation and we can do it every time and every place. 

 

May you feel the presence of God all the time. Good luck.