Book Reviews

UDDHAVA GITA – Part of Srimad Bhagavata Vol.II: English translation and explanatory notes by MS Venkatachalam; Pub. Vishnu Sahasranama Satsangam, C-8519, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 110 070. Prince not specified.

Uddhava was a closed friend of Lord Krishna. While Arjuna was a warrior-friend, Uddhava may be called his scholarly friend. The 11th Skandha of the Bhagavata Purana contains what is called the Uddhava Gita which enshrines the farewell message of Lord Krishna to Uddhava. After this message, this incarnation comes to an end and Uddhava leaves for Badarikashrama for doing penance, as advised by the Lord.

The Uddhava Gita has 29 chapters in two volumes. The second one under review deals with chapters 19 to 29. The importance of this work need not be overemphasised. Lord Krishna recapitulates and re-emphasises the teachings he gave earlier to Arjuna on the battlefield (in the Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva) which is famous –– the Bhagavad Gita.

He speaks about the importance of Bhakti as the means to salvation, the role of other disciplines like Karma and Jnana, the method of worshipping Him, the need to cultivate the quality of Sattva (serenity) and the like. The Uddhava Gita may be taken as a companion volume to the Gita.

This text clarifies certain points which are not explicit in the Gita. Normally people do not read the Bhagavata Purana beyond the 10th Skanda, which describes the incarnation of Lord Krishna. The publishers have done well in bringing out this lesser-known portion of the Bhagavata Purana for the benefit of the common man.

The translation and explanation are simple and lucid, catching the spirit of the original. This is a welcome addition to the literature on the Bhagavata PUrana that is already available.

© "The Hindu" (dated April 13, 2004).

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