Introduction a Introduction

which are created by His own energy, appears to have assumed such identities, just as fire

appears to be manifest differently in pieces of wood of different sizes and shapes.
COMMENTARY

As fire is present within wood and manifests when there is friction, the Supreme

Lord is present everywhere within this world and He reveals Himself when one cultivates

devotional service, beginning with hearing and chanting.

PURPORT

Just as fire is present within the wood and generally manifests when there is friction,

similarly, the object of worship remains with the worshiper as He displays various

worldly forms. Because the living entities are by nature subordinate to the Supreme

Lord, their perfection is attained when they take complete shelter of the object of their

worship. Because the conditioned souls in this material world accept service from others

rather than rendering service to their worshipable Lord, they forget their constitutional

position as eternal servants of the Supreme Lord.

Although the conditioned souls, who are averse to the Lord’s service, and who are

situated within the temporary nature created by the supreme director, causing their

constitutional positions to be covered and their service to the Lord forgotten, they

remain fully spiritual.

TEXT 48

ivSaGaaRŰa>XMaXaaNaaNTaa>aavadehSYaNaaTMaNa> )

k-l/aNaaiMavcNd]SYak-ale/NaaVYa˘-vTMaRNaa ))48))

visargädyäů çmaçänäntä bhävä dehasya nätmanaů

kalänäm iva candrasya kälenävyakta-vartmanä
The stages of one’s bodily condition, beginning with birth and ending with death,

have no effect upon the eternal soul, just like our vision of the waxing and waning of

the moon does not affect the moon itself. Such changes occur due to the imperceptible

movements of time.
COMMENTARY

Birth and death, as well as the other transformations, are meant only for the material

body and not the spirit soul, just as the apparent waxing and waning of the moon does



Lord Kĺńëa Instructs Uddhava

47

not affect the moon itself. Such changes are enforced by the imperceptible movements

of time.
PURPORT

The wheel of time is unseen. In the present conditional state, the living entities

cannot understand what undivided, or eternal, time is. It is the time factor that causes

the waxing and waning of the moon. From this example, it is understood that the pure

spirit soul neither increases nor decreases. Rather, it is the material body, which is

obtained from the temporary material nature, that develops and then dwindles. Under

the influence of time, the material body is born, remains for some time, and then dies.

As the waxing and waning of the moon is an effect of reflecting the rays of the sun, so

all living entities are manifested in various species by the will of the Supreme Lord.

TEXT 49

k-ale/NaůaegaveGaeNa>aUTaaNaa&Pa[>avaPYaYaaE )

iNaTYaaviPaNad*XYaeTae AaTMaNaae_GaneYaRQaaicR+aaMa( ))49))

kälena hy ogha-vegena bhütänäŕ prabhaväpyayau

nityäv api na dĺçyete ätmano ‘gner yathärcińäm
The flames of a fire appear and disappear at every moment but this is not noticed by

the casual observer. Similarly, the waves of time flow without stop, like the currents of a

mighty river, and they imperceptibly cause the birth and death of the countless bodies of

the living entities. And yet, the soul, who is thus forced to change his position again and

again, cannot perceive how time is working.

COMMENTARY

Just like the logic of siŕha avalokana, this verse is teaching us the lesson to be

learned from fire. As sparks continuously appear from a blazing fire, and then disappear,

the material bodies of the spirit souls are constantly appearing and disappearing.

PURPORT

The birth and death of the living entities is caused by powerful time. Although fire

sometimes appears blazing and sometimes appears meek, the spirit soul is not affected by

the varying conditions of the material body.

48

UDDHAVA-GÉTÄ

TEXT 50

Gau

NaTaezuYauJYaTaeYaaeGaqGaaei>aGaaR wvGaaePaiTa> ))50))

guëair guëän upädatte yathä-kälaŕ vimuďcati

na teńu yujyate yogé gobhir gä iva go-patiů
Just as the sun evaporates a large quantity of water and then sends it back to the earth

in the form of rain, so a saintly devotee accepts whatever is offered to him, and when a

suitable person approaches him to beg for something, he gives such things up. Thus, both

by accepting and renouncing the objects of the senses, a devotee is not entangled.

COMMENTARY

This verse, and the next verse, describe the lesson to be learned from the sun.

The sun evaporates water and then distributes it, in the form of rain. In the same way,

self-realized souls accept sense objects by means of their senses. Later on, if someone

approaches them and asks for those objects, they give them away. The self-realized souls

are not attached to anything. They do not think in terms of “I have gotten something,”

or “I have donated something.”

PURPORT

Just as the sun evaporates water by its powerful rays, saintly persons accept all kinds

of material enjoyment, but without attachment. Just as the sun does not take away the

water from the earth, but ultimately gives it back, in the form of rain, the devotees of

the Supreme Lord accept material enjoyment, but they do not become polluted by such

actions.

TEXT 51

buDYaTaeSveNa>aedeNaVYai˘-SQa wvTaÓTa> )

l/+YaTaeSQaUl/MaiTai>araTMaacaviSQaTaae_kRvTa( ))51))

budhyate sve na bhedena vyakti-stha iva tad-gataů

lakńyate sthüla-matibhir ätmä cävasthito ‘rka-vat
Even though it is reflected in various objects, the sun is never divided, nor does it

have anything to do with its reflection. Only dull-headed persons would consider the sun

in this way. Similarly, although the soul is reflected through innumerable material bodies,

it remains undivided and nonmaterial.

Lord Kĺńëa Instructs Uddhava


COMMENTARY

49

The sun may be reflected off various surfaces and thus appear in a variety of ways,

but we know that the sun itself is far beyond such manifestations and has nothing to do

with them. In the same way, the spirit souls are reflected through their material bodies,

which exhibit myriad designations, such as white, black, male, female, young, and old.

The soul’s eternal constitutional position is something far beyond these temporary

manifestations, however, and has nothing to do with them.

PURPORT

When the sun is reflected in many mirrors, it gives one the impression that there

are many suns. Similarly, the illusory energy, Maya, creates the impression that the

conditioned souls have no resolute desire to serve the Supreme Lord. All living entities

are eternal servants of the Supreme Lord. They have no other duty or destination than

service to the Supreme Lord. But, foolish people give up the service of the Supreme

Lord, under the control of false ego, and become busy for their own sense gratification.

This is their foolishness. When the living entities are liberated from all gross and

subtle designations, they constantly engage in the service of the Lord of Vaikuëöha.

In Vaikuëöha, the living entities have no propensity whatsoever for sense gratification,

unlike the conditioned souls. There is no question of any disturbance to the exchanges

of happiness between the worshipable Lord and His eternal servants.

TEXT 52

NaaiTaňeh>Pa[Sa®aevak-TaRVYa>KvaiPake-NaicTa( )

ku-vRNa(ivNdeTaSaNTaaPa&k-PaaeTaEvdqNaDaq> ))52))

näti-snehaů prasaěgo vä kartavyaů kväpi kenacit

kurvan vindeta santäpaŕ kapota iva déna-dhéů
One should never indulge in too much attachment for anything, or concern for anyone.

Otherwise, this will lead one to great unhappiness, like the foolish pigeon.
COMMENTARY

The lesson to be learned from the pigeon is indicated in this verse. One should never

have too much affection for anyone, nor should one become too attached to anything,

nor should one be overly attached to maintaining his dependents.

50

UDDHAVA-GÉTÄ

PURPORT

Every living entity is an eternal servant of the Supreme Lord. If he gives up the

service of the Lord and engages in the service of anyone else, for his own enjoyment,

he will ultimately have to suffer like the pigeon who will be described in the following

verses.
TEXT 53

k-PaaeTa>k-ęNaar

k-PaaeTYaa>aaYaRYaaSaaDaRMauvaSak-iTaicTSaMaa> ))53))

kapotaů kaçcanäraëye kĺta-néňo vanaspatau

kapotyä bhäryayä särdham uväsa katicit samäů
There once was a pigeon that lived in the forest, along with his wife. He built a

suitable nest within a tree and lived there for several years in her association.
TEXT 54

k-PaaeTaaEňehGaui

d*iZ$&=d*Z$ya®Ma®eNabuiÖ&buÖya bbNDaTau> ))54))

kapotau sneha-guëita hĺdayau gĺha-dharmiëau

dĺńöiŕ dĺńöyäěgam aěgena buddhiŕ buddhyä babandhatuů
The two pigeons conscientiously performed their household duties. Their hearts were

tied together by the rope of affection, and they were each attracted by each other’s glances,

bodily features, and moods. Thus, they completely bound each other with the tight knots

of affection.
PURPORT

As a wife and husband are naturally attached to each other, the male and female

pigeon were extremely attached to each other and in that way, they enjoyed sense

gratification. They were so attached to each other that they could not bear separation

from each other for even a moment. The main cause of such mundane affection and

attachment is forgetfulness of the Supreme Lord. The living entities’ affection for the

Lord and their attachment to Him is eternal. When that relationship is disrupted,

such pure affection and attachment is reflected in a perverted manner as affection for

Lord Kĺńëa Instructs Uddhava

51

temporary objects of this material world. This creates a reflection of happiness, in the

form of forgetfulness of the Supreme Lord.
TEXT 55

XaYYaaSaNaa$=NaSQaaNavaTaaR§-I@aXaNaaidk-Ma( )

iMaQauNaq>aUYaivé[BDaaEcerTauvRNaraiJazu ))55))

çayyäsanäöana-sthäna värtä-kréňäçanädikam

mithuné-bhüya viçrabdhau ceratur vana-räjińu
Innocently placing their faith in the future, the pigeons rested, sat, walked, stood,

conversed, played, ate, and so on, as a loving couple in the trees of the forest.
COMMENTARY

As soon as the conditioned soul forgets the Supreme Lord, he begins to act in

a different way and because of his enjoying propensity, he engages in activities such

as sleeping, sitting, traveling, gossiping, playing, eating, simply for his personal sense

gratification. However, these same activities are engaged in by the liberated servants

of the Lord, for His pleasure. Liberated devotees have no other business than serving

the Supreme Lord. All their activities, such as sleeping, traveling, and speaking, are

performed with the aim of satisfying the Supreme Lord. The fallen condition of the

living entities is due to their making a distinction between themselves and the Supreme

Lord, who is eternal, full of knowledge and bliss.

TEXT 56

Ya&Ya&vaH^iTaSaaraJaNa(TaPaRYaNTYaNauk-iMPaTaa )

Ta&Ta&SaMaNaYaTk-aMa&k*-C^\e ))56))

yaŕ yaŕ väďchati sä räjan tarpayanty anukampitä

taŕ taŕ samanayat kämaŕ kĺcchreëäpy ajitendriyaů
O King, whenever the she-pigeon desired something, she would flatteringly cajole her

husband with affectionate glances and conversation, and the he-pigeon, whose senses were

not controlled, would provide everything she wanted, even with great personal difficulty.

52

UDDHAVA-GÉTÄ

COMMENTARY

O King, the wife of the pigeon pleased her husband with sweet gestures, smiles,

glances, and pleasant conversation.

PURPORT

Materialistic persons who, instead of accepting the Supreme Lord as the only master

of their senses, think themselves to be equal to Hĺńékeça, engage in various activities in

this world with a desire to gratify their senses and accumulate wealth. As the enjoyer

pigeon acts whimsically to please the enjoyed pigeon, materialists are busy enjoying

temporary material happiness with their gross and subtle bodies. The example of the male

and female pigeons’ happiness and distress has been cited to teach such materialists. The

condition souls who maintain too much affection and attachment for material objects

suffer in material existence, just like the male and female pigeon.

TEXT 57

k-PaaeTaqPa[QaMa&Ga>a|Ga*őNTaqk-al/ AaGaTae )

A<@aiNaSauzuveNaq@eSTaPaTYau>SaiŕDaaESaTae ))57))

kapoté prathamaŕ garbhaŕ gĺhëanté käla ägate

aëňäni suńuve néňe sta-patyuů sannidhau sate
In due course of time, baby pigeons having tender limbs and small feathers created by

the inconceivable energy of Lord Hari were born from their eggs.
TEXT 58

Taezuk-ale/VYaJaaYaNTaricTaavYavahre> )

Xai˘-i>aduRivR>aaVYaai>a>k-aeMal/a®TaNaUĺha> ))58))

teńu käle vyajäyanta racitävayavä hareů

çaktibhir durvibhävyäbhiů komaläěga-tanüruhäů
When the time was ripe, baby pigeons, with tender limbs and feathers created by the

inconceivable potencies of Çré Hari, were born from those eggs.
COMMENTARY

The she-pigeon gave birth in due course of time.

Lord Kĺńëa Instructs Uddhava


PURPORT

53

When the conditioned souls become averse to the Supreme Lord, then the Supreme

Lord spreads the network of illusion in all their activities, to increase their aversion to

His service. Those who do not display an inclination for the service of the Supreme

Lord are awarded suitable mentalities, according to their desires and activities. In this

way, they pose themselves as enjoyers and become busy in trying to enjoy this material

world.

TEXT 59

Pa[Jaa>PauPauzTau>Pa[qTaaEdMPaTaqPau}avTSal/aE )

Xa*aaizTaE> ))59))

prajäů pupuńatuů prétau dampaté putra-vatsalau

çĺëvantau küjitaŕ täsäŕ nirvĺtau kala-bhäńitaiů
The two pigeons became very affectionate to their children, and they took great

pleasure in listening to their awkward chirping, which sounded very sweet to them. Thus,

with love and affection, they began to raise the little birds who were born of them.

PURPORT

The conditioned souls, who are averse to the service of Kĺńëa, experience great

pleasure by hearing the sweet words of their children, which are the fruit of their

aversion to the service of the Lord. But, because that pleasure is not eternal, that very

pleasure will one day become the cause of their distress.
TEXT 60

TaaSaa&PaTa}aE>SauSPaXaŒ>kU-iJaTaEMauRGDaceiíTaE> )

Pa[TYauÓMaErdqNaaNaa&iPaTaraEMaudMaaPaTa> ))60))

täsäŕ patatraiů su-sparçaiů küjitair mugdha-ceńöitaiů

pratyudgamair adénänäŕ pitarau mudam äpatuů
The mother and father pigeons became very happy while watching their children

grow up. Their chirping, their childish movements around the nest, and their attempts

to fly were all very pleasing to see. Seeing how their children were satisfied, the parents

felt pleased.

54

UDDHAVA-GÉTÄ

COMMENTARY

The word adéna in this verse means that the pigeons were very joyful.

TEXT 61

ňehaNaubÖôdYaavNYaaeNYa&ivZ

ivMaaeihTaaEdqNaiDaYaaEiXaXaUNa(PauPauzTau>Pa[Jaa> ))61))

snehänubaddha-hĺdayäv anyonyaŕ vińëu-mäyayä

vimohitau déna-dhiyau çiçün pupuńatuů prajäů
In this way, being bewildered by the illusory energy of Lord Vińëu, the male and

female pigeons, who were very much attached to each other, continued to nourish their

offspring, even though this sometimes involved a great deal of difficulty.
COMMENTARY

Being overwhelmed by the illusory energy of Lord Vińëu, the male and female

pigeons carefully maintained their young children.
TEXT 62

Wk-daJaGMaTauSTaaSaaMaŕaQa|TaaEku-$u=iMbNaaE )

PairTa>k-aNaNaeTaiSMaŕiQaRNaaEcerTauięrMa( ))

ekadä jagmatus täsäm annärthaŕ tau kuöumbinau

paritaů känane tasminn arthinau ceratuç ciram
One day, the male and female pigeons, who had many dependent offspring, went out

of their nest to find food for their children and thus wandered about within the forest for

a long time.
TEXT 63

d*îaTaaNa(lu/BDak->k-ięŰd*C^aTaaevNaecr> )

JaGa*heJaal/MaaTaTYacrTa>Sval/YaaiNTake- ))63))

dĺńövä tän lubdhakaů kaçcid yadĺcchäto vane-caraů

jagĺhe jälam ätatya carataů svälayäntike

Lord Kĺńëa Instructs Uddhava

55

Then one day, a hunter who was wandering in the forest happened to see the baby

pigeons walking near their nest. By spreading his net, the hunter gleefully captured

them.

COMMENTARY

Upon seeing that the young pigeons were playing near their nest, the hunter spread

his net and caught them all.
TEXT 64

k-PaaeTaęk-PaaeTaqcPa[JaaPaaezeSadaeTSauk-aE )

GaTaaEPaaez ))64))

kapotaç ca kapoté ca prajä-pońe sadotsukau

gatau pońaëam ädäya sva-néňam upajagmatuů
The mother and father pigeon had always been very anxious to look after their helpless

children, and they were wandering in the forest looking for food at that time. Having

obtained something for their children to eat, they returned to their nest.
COMMENTARY

After collecting some food, the male and female pigeons returned to their nest.

TEXT 65

k-PaaeTaqSvaTMaJaaNa(vq+Yabal/k-aNa(Jaal/SaMv*TaaNa( )

TaaNa>YaDaavT§-aeXaNTaq§-aeXaTaae>a*Xadu>i%Taa ))65))

kapoté svätmajän vékńya bälakän jäla-samvĺtän

tän abhyadhävat kroçanté kroçato bhĺça-duůkhitä
When the female pigeon saw that her children were trapped within the hunter’s net,

she became overwhelmed with anguish. While crying out, she rushed toward them as

they cried out to her in return.
TEXT 66

SaaSak*-TňehGaui

SvYa&cabDYaTaiXacabÖaNa(PaXYaNTYaPaSMa*iTa> ))66))

56

UDDHAVA-GÉTÄ

säsakĺt sneha-guëitä déna-cittäja-mäyayä

svayaŕ cäbadhyata çicä baddhän paçyanty apasmĺtiů
The female pigeon had wanted to be bound by the strong ropes of maternal affection

and so when she saw the condition of her children, she became aggrieved. Being under the

influence of the illusory energy of the Lord, she became practically mad. As she rushed

to help her children, she also became bound up by the hunter’s net.
COMMENTARY

When the mother pigeon saw her children trapped within the net, she became so

overwhelmed with lamentation that she was also captured by the hunter.
TEXT 67

k-PaaeTa>SvaTMaJaaNa(bÖaNa( AaTMaNaae_PYaiDak-aNa(iPa[YaaNa( )

>aaYaa|caTMaSaMaa&dqNaaeivl/l/aPaaiTadu>i%Ta> ))67))

kapotaů svätmajän baddhän ätmano ‘py adhikän priyän

bhäryäŕ cätma-samäŕ déno vilaläpäti-duůkhitaů
When the father pigeon saw his children, who he considered to be more dear than his

very life, along with his wife, who he considered as equal to himself, fatally bound within

the hunter’s net, he became terribly distressed and began to lament most pathetically.
COMMENTARY

The usage of the word ca in this verse indicates that he began to lament for both

his wife and children.
TEXT 68

AhaeMaePaXYaTaaPaaYaMaLPaPau )

ATa*áSYaak*-TaaQaRSYaGa*hńEviGaRk-aehTa> ))68))

aho me paçyatäpäyam alpa-puëyasya durmateů

atĺptasyäkĺtärthasya gĺhas trai-vargiko hataů