The Dwaraka Queens hear Srimad-Bhagavatam

After Krishna’s departure from the world, the queens of Dwaraka were feeling deep separation. They came to Vrindavana and took shelter of Vajranabha, Krishna’s great-grandson. There, in the holy dhama, they came across Kalindi, a co-wife of Krishna who seemed to be coping quite well. When they enquired how she dealt with the pain of Krishna’s departure and the subsequent separation, she explained the remedy: “When the gopis were feeling intense separation from Krishna, Uddhava pacified them with His words. So you can also go to Uddhava and request the same.”

Hearing that Uddhava had been granted eternal residence in the Govardhana area, they set off to find him. In the association of Maharaja Pariksit and Vajranabha, and accompanied by a tumultuous kirtan, they arrived at Kusum Sarovar. Uddhava, who looked identical to Krishna, suddenly emerged from the groves. He empathised with the distress of the queens and explained to them that although Krishna had concluded His pastimes and left this world, He could still be seen in another way – through the narrations of Srimad-Bhagavatam.

Uddhava narrated how the Lord had previously imparted the Srimad- Bhagavatam to Brahma, Vishnu and Siva, who each established their own recitals of Bhagavatam. Feeling inspired, Uddhava offered to recite Srimad- Bhagavatam to the queens. First, however, he requested Maharaja Pariksit to keep Kali at bay while the recital was going on. Maharaja Pariksit was happy to serve, but disappointed by the fact that he would not be able to hear the narrations himself. Uddhava reassured him that Sukadeva Goswami would recite Srimad-Bhagavatam to him in the near future, and as a result many generations of living entities would also have that privilege too. Vajranabha remained with his mothers, and they all heard the nectarean topics flow from the mouth of Uddhava for one month. Absorbed in that sweet vibration, they became completely mesmerised, disappeared from everyone’s vision, and returned to the Supreme Abode. []