Kuruksetra Meeting

Chapter 82, 83, 84, 85

Anticipating a solar eclipse, the Yadavas travelled to Samanta Pancaka, in Kuruksetra, as did the Vrindavana residents and many others. It was an emotionally charged reunion with His most intimate associates. The gopis saw Krishna with their eyes and lovingly embraced Him in their hearts, overcome by spiritual ecstasy after an extended period of separation. Krishna approached them, smiled, and glorified their unique intensity of love. The deep heartfelt desire of the gopis was to bring Krishna back to Vrindavana.

Krishna asked Maharaja Yuddhistira about his wellbeing, while Draupadi enquired how each queen came to marry Krishna. They all explained their stories, recounting the extraordinary strength, charm, and ingenuity of Krishna. During this time, a host of illustrious sages appeared at Kuruksetra, and Krishna warmly greeted them. He glorified the saintly souls, who purify the world by their presence. Vasudeva humbly enquired from them, and then requested they oversee the various sacrifices. Nanda Maharaja and the cowherds, full of affection for Krishna and the Yadu members, eventually returned to Vrindavana after repeatedly postponing that ominous journey for several months.

Once, Vasudeva called his two sons and disclosed the fact that he understood Their supreme identity. Krishna played down His own divinity, much preferring to relate to Vasudeva free of that formal acknowledgement. Later, Devaki requested Krishna to bring back her dead sons, just as He had done for Sandipani Muni. The Lord thus travelled to Sutala and personally retrieved the boys with Bali Maharaja’s help. When those children drank the breast milk of Devaki, they were reinstated in their forms as demigods and thus ascended to the heavens.