Essential Similarities
When we examine the Uddhava-gita and Bhagavad-gita, we clearly see that Krishna was teaching the same essential principles in both discourses. Here are some examples:
1) Comprehensiveness of the Knowledge:
Bhagavad-gita 7.2: “I shall now declare unto you in full this knowledge, both phenomenal and numinous. This being known, nothing further shall remain for you to know.”
Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.29.32: “When an inquisitive person comes to understand this knowledge, he has nothing further to know. After all, one who has drunk the most palatable nectar cannot remain thirsty.”
2) Studying the Conversation:
Bhagavad-gita 18.70: “And I declare that he who studies this sacred conversation of ours worships Me by his intelligence.”
Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.29.27-28: “He who loudly recites this supreme knowledge, which is the most lucid and purifying, becomes purified day by day, for he reveals Me to others with the lamp of transcendental knowledge. Anyone who regularly listens to this knowledge with faith and attention, all the while engaging in My pure devotional service, will never become bound by the reactions of material work.”
3) Sharing the Wisdom:
Bhagavad-gita 18.68-69: “For one who explains this supreme secret to the devotees, pure devotional service is guaranteed, and at the end he will come back to Me. There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear.”
Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.29.26: “One who liberally disseminates this knowledge among My devotees is the bestower of the Absolute Truth, and to him I give My very own self.”
4) Concluding Words:
Bhagavad-gita 18.65-66: “Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend. Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.”
Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.29.34: “A person who gives up all fruitive activities and offers himself entirely unto Me, eagerly desiring to render service unto Me, achieves liberation from birth and death and is promoted to the status of sharing My own opulences.”
5) Qualification to Understand:
Bhagavad-gita 18.67: “This confidential knowledge may never be explained to those who are not austere, or devoted, or engaged in devotional service, nor to one who is envious of Me.”
Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.29.30: “You should not share this instruction with anyone who is hypocritical, atheistic or dishonest, or with anyone who will not listen faithfully, who is not a devotee, or who is simply not humble.”
6) Effect on Listener:
Krishna: “O son of Prtha, O conqueror of wealth, have you heard this with an attentive mind? And are your ignorance and illusions now dispelled?”
Arjuna: “My dear Krishna, O infallible one, my illusion is now gone. I have regained my memory by Your mercy. I am now firm and free from doubt and am prepared to act according to Your instructions.”
Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.29.29 / 37:
Krishna: “My dear friend Uddhava, have you now completely understood this transcendental knowledge? Are the confusion and lamentation that arose in your mind now dispelled?”
Uddhava: “O unborn, primeval Lord, although I had fallen into the great darkness of illusion, my ignorance has now been dispelled by Your merciful association. Indeed, how can cold, darkness and fear exert their power over one who has approached the brilliant sun?”
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