Uddhava Kunda is located precisely to the west of Kusum sarovar, on the right side of the parikrama path encircling the majestic Govardhan Parvat. It was the revered Vajranabha Maharaja (great grandson of Krishna) who brought forth the existence of Uddhava-kunda, under the wise guidance of Sandilya muni and other revered sages. Uddhavaji, the intimate confidant of Lord Krishna, perpetually resides in close proximity to this sacred spot, assuming the form of grass and shrubs, eagerly awaiting to be blessed by the dust from the lotus feet of the gopis. An engrossing depiction of this sacred place is chronicled in the Srimad Bhagavatam Mahatmya of the Skanda Purana.
Following Krishna’s departure from this mortal realm, His devoted queens in the city of Dwaraka were engulfed by an overwhelming sorrow. It was at this juncture that Vajranabha, accompanied by the distraught queens, arrived at Uddhava-Kunda. They commenced a fervent sankirtana, a melodious and resounding collective chanting of the Lord’s holy names. As the divine sankirtana reached its crescendo, the associates of Krishna, one after another, began to manifest their ethereal presence. The esteemed companions from Dvaraka joyously sang and danced in unison, while Arjuna himself gracefully swayed and skillfully played the mrdanga, a traditional drum. Suddenly, amidst the lush foliage and verdant shrubbery, the exalted soul Uddhava emerged, drawn by the enchanting melodies and captivating rhythm of the maha-sankirtana. It was inconceivable for Krishna Himself not to appear in that grand divine chorus. And so, in due course, the Lord Himself materialized within the enchanting maha-sankirtana-rasa, accompanied by the radiant Radhika ji and the other beloved sakhis. However, after a fleeting period, He vanished once again, leaving behind an indescribable sense of solace and contentment. In this remarkable manner, Uddhava brought solace and reassurance to the hearts of the grieving queens, within the sanctified confines of this sacred abode.
Uddhava’s Transformation in Vrindavan: A Journey of Divine Love and Humble Surrender
Krishna dispatched Uddhava to the enchanting realm of Vrindavan with a purpose beyond measure—to kindle within him the very essence he lacked, the spontaneous and unwavering devotion that adorned the hearts of Vrindavan’s inhabitants. Uddhava ventured forth, adorned with the noble intention of bestowing upon them a gift, a token of his gratitude. Little did he realize that it was he who would receive the greatest treasure in Vrindavan—an illuminating revelation of genuine, unadulterated love.
As Uddhava set foot in the ethereal forests of Vrindavan, his heart swelled with profound anticipation. Tasked with conveying Lord Krishna’s divine message, he yearned to fulfill his duty with utmost devotion. Yet, as his eyes beheld the extraordinary fervor and affection the gopis harbored for their beloved Krishna, a wave of overwhelming emotions swept over him. In that moment, the notion of bestowing gifts seemed insignificant compared to the vast ocean of love that enveloped him.
The sacred land of Vrindavan, where every leaf, every blade of grass, pulsated with devotion, seized Uddhava’s very soul. Overwhelmed by the intensity of his experience, he yearned to linger amidst the celestial beauty as a humble creeper, willingly embracing the dust that graced the feet of the gopis. Krishna had dispatched Uddhava as a messenger, but the fervent love that enveloped Vrindavan had awakened a dormant realization within him—his own love for Krishna paled in comparison to that of the devoted gopis.
Uddhava, renowned as an ardent devotee, found himself humbled in the presence of the Vrajvasis. The revelation of their unparalleled love kindled within him an insatiable desire to emulate their footsteps, to become a willing servant, to bathe in the hallowed dust that sanctified their path. For in the realm of a Vaishnava, witnessing the greatness of another sparks not envy but a yearning to emulate, to serve, and to cherish the sublime essence exuded by the exalted. Uddhava, with resolute determination, recognized the supremacy of the Vrajvasis’ devotion, for it beckoned him to relinquish his exalted status as a prince and intimate associate of Krishna, willingly reducing himself to the humble stature of grass in the sacred fields of Vrindavan. Thus, Uddhava’s journey to Vrindavan, once intended to deliver a divine message, transformed into an odyssey of profound self-realization and transformation.