M.A.D
The second part of Canto Ten describes the pastimes of Krishna in Mathura and Dwaraka. After He left Vrindavana, Krishna plunged the Vrindavana residents into the madness of love in separation and Uddhava was astonished to witness it. This deep longing culminated at Kuruksetra when Krishna and the gopis were reunited. These exalted states of love are exhibited in various other devotees – the queens of Dwaraka, the Pandavas and Sudama, to name but a few. This Canto thus reminds us of the goal of Srimad-Bhagavatam – to fall into the madness of pure love for Krishna.
“What is the picture of Vrindavana? Vrindavana means there Mother Yasoda, Nanda Maharaja, the Radharani, the gopis, the cowherds boys, Sridama, Sudama, the land, the water, the trees, the birds - everyone is trying to satisfy Krishna. That is Vrindavana. Vrindavana means nothing... When Krishna left Vrindavana for Mathura, all of them become dead. That is Vrindavana. Similarly, you can live always in Vrindavana, always in Vaikuntha, if you are mad after Krishna. That was the teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. By His practical example, He showed. When He was in Jagannatha Puri, He was mad always, day and night. Last twelve years of His life was passed in madness. Sometimes He was falling down on the sea, sometimes somewhere, sometime, day and night, just like mad.”
- Srila Prabhupada, Lecture, 26th November 1974, Mumbai
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