In the previous episode, we had witnessed the commencement of the next importante event, namely the “Keshava-Uddhava Samvaadham”, wherein Bhagawan Krishna is going to provide valuable pieces of advice to Uddhava, before He returns back to Vaikunta. Upon hearing Bhagawan Krishna’s plan to depart, Uddhava couldn’t hold himself back. He ran to Bhagawan and cried in front of Him saying that Bhagawan should take him also along, as He departs to Vaikunta. However, Bhagawan Krishna wasn’t in favor of that, and with this, He’s going to give Uddhava few important pieces of advice and information that we’re going to witness now. As we progress into the “Keshava-Uddhava Samvaadham”, we should remember that we’re past the tenth “Skandha” and we’ve entered into the eleventh or the penultimate “Skandha” of the Shrimad Bhaagawatha Puraana text.
As Bhagawan Krishna is about to commence His advice, Uddhava intervenes and asks thus, “Oh Krishna! If you leave back to Vaikunta, who on this earth would maintain the restored “Dharma”? Won’t the world go back to the “Adharma” that it was in before?” Now, Bhagawan Krishna gives a very important reply here. He says thus, “Oh Uddhava! After I depart, there would be many incarnations of “Aachaaryas” in this world, and they would carry forward all the good work that I’ve done till now. So we do not need to worry about the upcoming “Kali Yuga”. Although it would be something that all of us dread about, the birth of “Aachaaryas” in the southern portion of the Bhaarata Desha would take care of it and ensure that people are spiritually progressing!”
It might be very pertinent to mention here that Bhagawan Krishna Himself has said that there would be “Aachaaryas” who would be born, especially in the south. In fact, He even gives the exact location where they would take birth. Bhagawan Krishna says thus,
“Khalau khalu bhavishyanti naaraayana paraayanaaha!
Kvachith kvachith mahaaraaja dravideshu cha bhoorishaha!!
Taamraparni nadeeyatra kritamaala payasvini!
Kaaveri cha mahaapunyaa prateecheecha mahaanadhi!!”
This sloka from the Shrimad Bhaagawatha Puraana directly signify the birth of the “Aalwars” and the “Aachaaryas” who were going to take birth in the future. In fact, Bhagawan Krishna Himself is declaring that such great people are going to take incarnations to maintain the “Dharma” that Bhagawan has established. If we’ve to look at the meaning of this sloka, we can witness that Bhagawan Krishna is explaining how the “Aalwars” would play a pivotal role in spreading the “Naarayana-Bhakti” in this world, during the Kali Yuga. Where would the “Aalwars” take birth? The sloka continues to explain that it would be in the banks of River Tamraparni, River Cauvery, etc. in the southern portion of India.
The moment we talk about River Tamraparni, we would immediately remember the city by name Tirunelveli, in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Near to Tirunelveli, there is a place called “Azhwaar-Thiru-Nagari”, which is right on the bank of River Tamraparni. This is the birth place of the most prominent “Nammazhwar”. Next, in the bank of the River Krithamaala, the famous “Periaazhwar” incarnated. This River Kritamaala is nothing but River Vaigai that passes through the famous city of Madurai in Southern Tamil Nadu, India. Similarly, in the banks of River Kaveri, three prominent “Aalwars” incarnated – Thondanadipodi Azhwar, Thirupaan Azhwar and Poigai Azhwar. Thus, we can witness here the minute details of all the Aalwars taking birth, as early as the Shrimad Bhaagawatha Puraana times.
As we move on with this, Bhagawan Krishna continues thus, “Oh Uddhava! Please do not worry! Please develop your “Vairaagya”. I’m not going anywhere. I’m inside this sacred text called “Shrimad Bhaagawatha Puraana” and I’m officially entering into this text, in order to bless all my devotees who are reading this text with all their devotion for me. If you want to worship me further, please take this Bhaagawatha Puraana and start reading it! More than anything else, Oh Uddhava! You should learn to be detached from all sorts of things in this world. Just do not think that I want this, or I want that, etc. Go to the “Gandhamaadhana Parvatha” and start performing “Tapas” (Penance)!”
Upon hearing this from Bhagawan Krishna, Uddhava had his own doubts. He asks Bhagawan Krishna thus, “Oh Bhagawan! Whatever you’re saying is very nice to hear! But is it really possible to practice all what you’re saying? How can a person be so detached that he / she could forget Bhagawan too? Of course, if it is for worldly aspects, then it might perhaps be possible with some spiritual progress. But how can we totally be detached from you?”
In fact, we would also be having similar questions in mind, isn’t it? So let us wait for the next episode to witness what did Bhagawan Krishna reply for Uddhava’s questions! Stay tuned! J
The Indian Dharma 