Waves of Devotion

Dhanurdhara Swami October 14th, 2024

Śrī Uddhava, Śrī Krishna’s most trusted advisor, is described in the Bhāgavatam by Śukadeva Gosvāmī before beginning his narration about how Śrī Uddhava delivered to the gopīs a confidential message from Śrī Krishna:

 

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: “The supremely intelligent (buddhi sat-tamaḥ) Uddhava was the best counselor (pravaraḥ – the best; mantrī – adviser) of the Vṛṣṇi dynasty, a beloved friend of Lord Śrī Krishna (kṛṣṇasya dayitaḥ sakhā) – friend and a direct disciple of Bṛhaspati (śiṣyaḥ bṛhaspateḥ sākṣāt)” Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.46.1

 

In this verse three types of intelligence are enumerated: emotional intelligence (the best advisor); devotional intelligence (the beloved friend of Krishna); and śāstric intelligence (a direct disciple of Bṛhaspati). In this post I will define them and show how they were all required for his seemingly impossible mission to pacify the gopīs’ feelings of separation. Why was such a mission seemingly impossible? Just consider the intensity of those feelings. Krishna says to Satyabhāmā:

 

“And when they cannot see Me they become so torn that the fire of separation leaves them sometimes as though dead and sometimes as though insane.” Śrī Bṛhad-Bhāgavatāmṛta 1.7.97

 

Before discussing the three types of intelligence that Uddhava demonstrated in pacifying the gopīs, we should understand the general definition of intelligence as ascribed to Uddhava by Śukadeva Gosvāmī.

 

Buddhi sat-tamaḥ (supremely intelligent)

 

Buddhi refers to the developed mental faculties that give one the capacity for discernment and understanding. Each of the three types of intelligence gives Uddhava a slightly different tool for discernment and understanding to tackle the task at hand, to pacify the gopīs. The three types of intelligence:

 

Pravaraḥ mantrī (the best counselor)

 

Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and manage one’s emotions and those of other people. We can just imagine how sensitive and patient Uddhava had to be, and how deeply he had to understand and empathize with the gopīs’ plight, in the three months he spent with them dispelling their sorrow. Is there any doubt why Krishna would choose his best counselor for this mission?

 

Kṛṣṇasya dayitaḥ sakhā (a beloved friend of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa)

 

The condition of the gopīs was so ultra-sensitive that even Krishna Himself was hesitant to attempt to pacify them:

 

“So their pain won’t be relieved even if they see Me. Their hearts will be so disturbed by thoughts of separation from Me that whatever measures I take for their happiness will only double their grief.” Śrī Bṛhad-Bhāgavatāmṛta 1.7.96

 

Considering the intense emotional state of the gopīs, Uddhava could not afford to make even the slightest mistake in his counsel. To succeed he therefore needed even more discretion than afforded to him by his mature emotional intelligence. He would need to be empowered with a special intelligence that is only gifted to most beloved devotees.

 

“To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding (buddhi-yogaṁ) by which they can come to Me.” Bhagavad-gītā 10.10

 

Śiṣyaḥ bṛhaspateḥ sākṣāt (a direct disciple of Bṛhaspati)

 

When Śrī Caitanya fainted in the Jagannath Mandir, many thought he had died. It was only Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya who could test and detect that He was experiencing a state of ecstasy. He could do this by dint of his śāstric knowledge, although at the time he was still an impersonalist. Similarly, it was by his vast knowledge as a direct disciple of Bṛhaspati, the guru of the demigods, that Uddhava could recognize that the ten mad expressions of a disappointed lover (citra-jalpa) exhibited by the gopīs were expressions of the highest state of ecstasy. In all ways, Uddhava was therefore the right person for this sacred assignment.

 

 

By employing his high capacity for discernment and understanding honed by his emotional, devotional and śāstric intelligence, Uddhava was successful in his momentous mission. Is it not unreasonable, therefore, to promote Uddhava as one of the most intelligent persons who ever lived?

 

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